![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]()
In 2003 I had the privilege of visiting Srirangapatna, just outside Mysore in southern India, which was the chief city of Tipu Sultan who had held the British at bay for much of the second half of the 18th C.
Tipu Sultan (1750-1799) was a major aggravation to the British, and you can find a glowing biography of Tipu here: http://home.btconnect.com/tipusultan/biog.htm Tiring of Tipu's successes against them, the British enlisted the aid of Mahratta forces, and finally overran Sriringapatna in 1799. Tipu was killed during the battle. The chief of the British Forces and architect of Tipu's defeat was General Cornwallis (yes, the same Cornwallis who was defeated by American revolutionary forces) and a key field commander was one Major Arthur Wellesley who later became the Duke of Wellington and defeated Napoleon at Waterloo (with a big assist from Blucher's Prussian forces). Tipu's summer palace and the ruins of Sriringapatna are ongoing testimony to this ruler who, despite being a Muslim, was a secularist and did not persecute any religious groups under his control. A man who appreciated science, a skilled diplomat, consummate strategist, and excelelnt general, he gave the British all they could handle in southern India. It took a susbtantially superior force to defeat him. Here is a picture of the man painted in about 1795. Last edited by Ian; 12th March 2005 at 09:10 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]()
The palace gate and a view of the palace from its grounds.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]()
Several cannon from the late 18th C. made in Tipu's own armory.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]()
These pictures come from two large murals on the exterior wall, protected from the elements by a very wide verandah that could be enclosed.
The pictures depict Tipu's foot soldiers and cavalry. The footmen appear to be carrying a version of the "Moplah chopper" -- not surprising because Tipu's territory included much of the Malabar Coast. The cavalry seem to be armed with heavy sabers. [Note to Conogre: The foot soldiers seem to have a fat-bellied bolo with a forked hilt and guard. See detailed view.] Last edited by Ian; 12th March 2005 at 08:54 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
|
![]()
Thank you Ian for showing these pictures. It is seldom such pictures are shown, but they are very interesting. What makes me wonder is, why the men at horse has such short swords, or is that an artistic thing?
Jens |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]()
Jens:
I don't know why the swords of the cavalry are so short. Available information about the swords used by Tipu himself are that they were like the Indo-Persian tulwars throughout much of India in the late 18th C. I think the cavalry here have tulwar-hilted swords, so I assume the (lack of) length is an artistic thing. Ian. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,769
|
![]()
Please do not forget as English speaking people we have the bicentennial Trafagar Day this year on the 21 oct.Personely I am a Francophile and have spent many wonderful camping holidays there.Tim
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
|
![]()
Ian, have you noticed the way they hold the swords?
Jens |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]()
Yes, Jens. Kind of a mix. Some of the foot soldiers have blades that appear concave forwards, others convex forwards. I would have thought the "fuller" would run close to the spine of the blade on these weapons, so that they would likely have convex cutting edges. The cavalry seem to be holding their swords backwards and forwards too. Perhaps more artistic license.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 177
|
![]()
could it be that theyre resting the blades on their shoulders with the edge facing either in or out. if the edge is resting on the shoulder, then their hands would be in the correct position, whether the edge is in or out. kinda like holding a baseball bat on your shoulder. your knuckles would face upwards. just a thought.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,137
|
![]() Quote:
I think you are probably correct. As a practicing swordsman, do you think would this be a common way to carry a sword, to have it resting on the shoulder? Ian. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|