Where did the practice of placing small stones in pulwar hilts originate?

[Sakalord364]

Many pulwars have small stones in the pommels, which make a rattling sound. I thought this was a feature unique to pulwars, but I saw an Indian sword have the same feature, stones inside the pommel. So it got me curious was this an originally Indian feature, or was it widespread in Asia?

https://youtu.be/m7gzQAUBHio

From the 3:15 mark, a South Indian sword is shown that has the same type of stones in the pommel, so I’m confused on the origin of this design quirk

[Jim McDougall]

Not sure where this feature originated but rattling stones were found in the pommels of some Sudanese swords of latter 19th c. These seem to have been favored for audible effect, and tribesmen would ride upon foes or captives and shake the hilt of the sword at them menacingly.

In India, in an affectation which seems to have begun in Persia where blades were slotted to hold moving bearings which moved back and forth in the slots with movement of the blade. I believe even some Chinese swords had these.
In some references these were called 'tears of the wounded' and some claim these were pearls, not steel bearings (this has been discounted as not likely due to metalworking requirements in forming these features).

With the slotted blades, it is unclear what the purpose was, and it has been suggested that these weapons were only for parade, show as the blade's strength would be compromised by such open features.

There are possibilities that these kinds of features might be apotropaic, as such devices are notably important in many Islamic edged weapons, as well as auspiciously oriented religious symbols and devices.

I look forward to the observations and comments of those out there who have far more knowledge in these areas. The topic is a curiosity which has remained perplexing for a very long time.

[Mercenary]

This is an Indian and then an Indo-Muslim feature. This is what animates the sword. The Indian weapon is a subject, not an object.

But pearls in the blade (or their metal analogue) are already a Muslim feature. This is the soul of the blade, as well as its shine. Persian "gauhar", Arabic "jauhar" - "blade shine" - also means "jewel", "precious stone", "pearl".

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Mercenary

This is an Indian and then an Indo-Muslim feature. This is what animates the sword. The Indian weapon is a subject, not an object.

But pearls in the blade (or their metal analogue) are already a Muslim feature. This is the soul of the blade, as well as its shine. Persian "gauhar", Arabic "jauhar" - "blade shine" - also means "jewel", "precious stone", "pearl".

Well noted Mercenary, as has been understood, the sword in India was indeed not simply an object, but sensed as a vibrant living entity. I hope I have accurately described, but it is a delicate topic so I welcome elucidation.

The rattling beads held inside the pommel was a feature I have seen in several Sudanese swords which seemed in high esteem etc. and wondered if this was an affectation which came from India (as with the Rajput haladie or other Persian influences).

[Mercenary]

In India, there was no clear distinction between the sacred and the real. For the owner, his weapon was simultaneously combat, ritual and ceremonial.
Decorating a weapon is initially its animation and subjectivation, like the drawings and names on tanks and planes during World War II.
Stones in the hilt, bells, rings, pearls in the blade are quite obvious solutions that evoke similar reactions in traditional Eastern cultures.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Mercenary

In India, there was no clear distinction between the sacred and the real. For the owner, his weapon was simultaneously combat, ritual and ceremonial.
Decorating a weapon is initially its animation and subjectivation, like the drawings and names on tanks and planes during World War II.
Stones in the hilt, bells, rings, pearls in the blade are quite obvious solutions that evoke similar reactions in traditional Eastern cultures.

Makes sense, and the practice of eponyms for certain things, for example people giving their cars names; Vikings naming their weapons etc.
I think my thoughts were toward weapons that were known in temples such as Nayar Temple swords, which had hilts often with symbolic elements, as well as unusual shaped blades which also may have had certain meanings.
It seems like bells or jingles were often features on some of these.