Nepalese Pra-swords

ariel · 28th September 2007, 11:41 PM

When we think of Nepalese swords, we usually mean Kukri and Kora.
As per Rawson, the story is more comlex.
Until 1324, Nepal was ruled by Indial princes of Mithila. Then, it was conquered by the Rajputs. After that, Gurkhas took over in 1768
Kora was the national sword of the Gurkhas. Kukri , apparently, is a descendant of the ancient Kopis-like swords of Ajanta.
Here is, what I think, the original pra-Kukri. Pay attention that there is no "cho"

Battara · 29th September 2007, 05:44 PM

Ariel, I have heard of this and even seen some examples of Nepalese stuff that does not look "typical". thanks for sharing this.

Rick · 29th September 2007, 07:54 PM

How long is the back edge on this sword Ariel ?

ariel · 30th September 2007, 12:10 AM

No back edge at all. Looks like Sossun Patta, only shortish: the blade is 21.5" straight line from the bottom of the lower handle ring.

Jim McDougall · 30th September 2007, 07:02 AM

This is a most interesting example of 18th century kora, especially with the unusual variant blade form. By the latter 18th century the preferred Gorkhali weapon was the kukri, and it seems that the kora had been for the most part reserved for ceremonial or sacrificial use. While that may well be the case, it seems that many of the kora I have seen are much like this in simplicity, suggesting fighting rather than ceremonial use. Possibly the influence of the so called spear point blade of cavalry sabres is seen on this example, further emphasizing the probability of combat use, despite the lack of weighted end.

It seems generally accepted that both the kukri and the kora share thier probable ancestry from the kopis, and although the direct progression is unclear, they both seem to have existed concurrently. The heavier kukri with its dual purpose attributes both in utility and combat seems to have prevailed in favor, especially as the famed Gurkha regiments were formed in the early 19th century.

kai · 30th September 2007, 08:42 PM

Hello Jim,

Quote:

This is a most interesting example of 18th century kora, especially with the unusual variant blade form.

I beg to differ: This doesn't seem to be a kora (not even modified from a regular fighting kora blade).

AFAIK it's well established that this hilt type has been used with different blade forms as battlefield weapons. From the top of my head I remember kora blades, regular khukuri blades, recurved sword blades, as well as downcurving sword blades like the one shown above by Ariel (obviously influenced by the soussun patah and yataghan blades). From northern India, there are also the recurved khukuri blades and those "ox cutters" (usually with tulwar hilts?).

Regards,
Kai

28th September 2007, 11:41 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Nepalese Pra-swords When we think of Nepalese swords, we usually mean Kukri and Kora. As per Rawson, the story is more comlex. Until 1324, Nepal was ruled by Indial princes of Mithila. Then, it was conquered by the Rajputs. After that, Gurkhas took over in 1768 Kora was the national sword of the Gurkhas. Kukri , apparently, is a descendant of the ancient Kopis-like swords of Ajanta. Here is, what I think, the original pra-Kukri. Pay attention that there is no "cho" Attached Images

29th September 2007, 05:44 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Ariel, I have heard of this and even seen some examples of Nepalese stuff that does not look "typical". thanks for sharing this.

29th September 2007, 07:54 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	How long is the back edge on this sword Ariel ?

30th September 2007, 12:10 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	No back edge at all. Looks like Sossun Patta, only shortish: the blade is 21.5" straight line from the bottom of the lower handle ring.

30th September 2007, 07:02 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	This is a most interesting example of 18th century kora, especially with the unusual variant blade form. By the latter 18th century the preferred Gorkhali weapon was the kukri, and it seems that the kora had been for the most part reserved for ceremonial or sacrificial use. While that may well be the case, it seems that many of the kora I have seen are much like this in simplicity, suggesting fighting rather than ceremonial use. Possibly the influence of the so called spear point blade of cavalry sabres is seen on this example, further emphasizing the probability of combat use, despite the lack of weighted end. It seems generally accepted that both the kukri and the kora share thier probable ancestry from the kopis, and although the direct progression is unclear, they both seem to have existed concurrently. The heavier kukri with its dual purpose attributes both in utility and combat seems to have prevailed in favor, especially as the famed Gurkha regiments were formed in the early 19th century.