[Jim McDougall]

According to some input on the other forum, this hilt with what appears some sort of representation of a lionhead? in the stylizing characteristic of much Indian art, and is believed to be associated with GARUDA, and the warrior cult of that Vishnu faction of the Hindu Faith and deities.

While the use of the pata (actually termed dandpatta) was well known in the martial traditions of the Mahrattas and demonstrations of sword skills known as mardani khel (dual use of these in almost windmill like gyrations), the use of them similarly in ceremonial functions extends into the southern regions as well.

It appears this gauntlet in this iconographic form may be associated with the Garuda cult and celebration of the ancient Hoysala warriors of the regions that became the Vijayanagara Empire.

The character of the hilt seems to be of sheet type alloy metal resembling that used in material culture in SE Asian contexts in Victorian times.

What is most interesting is this well venerated old broadsword blade, which appears of 17th century and the fullering corresponds to various known examples found in early Highland basket hilts. While the upper part of the blade is concealed by the riveted bolster, close examination reveals traces of the kinds of cosmological motif seen on blades of mid 17th century. We would expect to find flutes at the forte on either side of the dual central fullers.

It is tempting to presume that this blade, undoubtedly of the type made in Solingen for export to Scotland for their broadswords, might have come from the many Scots who went to India in the mid 18th century. After the disaster of the '45 at Culloden, many Scots found their way to India and the Americas, with numbers to East India Co. as well as many in the British Highland regiments. It must be remembered that not all Scots were Jacobites and were already aligned with Hanoverian rule. However, the character of this blade would be likely more Jacobite with its Highland character.

Whatever means the blade might have ended up to the south is unknown, but what is notable is the rugged manner in which it has been sharpened over what appears a notable length of time. This kind of process is something seen in native environments with the crude use of stones.
The blade therefore may have been in use with a native warrior in a local type of sword for some time, and thus well venerated in battle.

The use of such venerated blades in a votive or ceremonial sense is well established in these regions, and warriors are celebrated in viragal (monument) stones. Perhaps this old blade was placed in its current iconographic gauntlet in this sense.

Lastly, the presence of these early Solingen type blades is well known from early times already through trade, so may have come into India via that conduit as well,