Hi Radleigh,
Nicely done! Acquiring not one but two examples of very unusual Indian daggers at once!
I find these daggers that are usually found in Central to Southern regions in India most interesting. I am yet unclear on the dynamics of how these were held as it would seem holding either of the two parallel bars of the loop would not give sufficient support for the required thrust.
It is my understanding that the recurved blades typically found on these were intended for thrust and upward tearing action. The blade shape is said to represent the shape of the buffalo horns used on the original Dravidian daggers (Stone p.112-113). Despite this association the term bich'hwa curiously is translated from Hindi to mean sting of the scorpion.
From what I could find in "Hindu Arms and Ritual" by Elgood , p.176 the blade shape developed from about 16th century and possibly earlier. On p.197 it is suggested that steel and bronze examples are probably from Tanjore, which may imply these coming from the southeast regions. These examples are most likely of course probably from the 19th century, and again, most interesting because of the contrast between them as variants of this traditional weapon form.
Best regards,
Jim