Quote:
Originally Posted by Triarii
Karmically, I was at the Arms and Armour Society summer school at the Wallace Collection the other week and one of the handling objects was one of Tippu's swords. The inscription has been added and possibly the Tiger, as it was noted that its quite European in style.
Davinder Toor, who presented on Indian and Persian Arms and Armour (and also on the Katar), said that Pata blades were often flexible, though what that means for the one being discussed I don't know. Anyway, photos of Tippu's sword (top one, above the shamshirs).
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This is an absolutely wonderful entry!!! Thank you so much! The subject of Tipu is fascinating, and my friend Nidhi Olikara has studied this topic for many years and is well published on the subject. As he is situated in Mysore, he has some great resources.
I personally think this example is with a very old and venerated blade, now mounted in more of a votive fashion, so the flexibility not to account. You are right though, flexibility in the pata blade would be key, as these were slashing weapons, not for the thrust. In most accounts of Indian swordsmanship, the thrust was not even thought of.'
Thank you so much for answering here! It means a lot.
Best regards
Jim