Yet another Tulwar

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I was directed to our own library for an interesting view of a Tulvar hilt with a Shamshir blade ... Please see http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/shamshir/

In this gold Hilt and Shamshir is the interesting name of this form ..

I Quote "A Shamshir with a typical Indo-Muslim hilt of Delhishahi form, likely 18th century. Many authorities would classify this as a Talwar based upon this hilt, which is of iron covered by a thick layer of yellow gold. A false ricasso in the form of two plates with an embossed and gilded intertwined floral pattern may be seen behind the langets covering the root of the blade. The blade is of wootz steel and bears a gold inlaid Arabic inscription on its spine, likely a religious invocation or prayer. A cartouche with inscription made as a series of small punched marks is present and is illustrated and further described above as b. Overall length: 92.5 cm. (36.2 inches); blade length: 80 cm. (31.2 inches)".Unquote.

On investigating further I discovered that Tipu Sultan also had one of these forms...

I Quote"This Object is a Masterpiece as the National Museum has only one such sword. The sword belongs to emperor Tipu Sultan, who was ruler of Mysore, Karnataka. The Delhishahi hilt with its circular disc pommel, oval grip, small knuckle-guard, short quilons and small langets, is damascened in gold in floral, creeper and geometrical designs all over. The blade is similarly ornamented with floral motifs in gold, and the wooden sheath is covered with maroon velvet.
History of the Object
The sword of Tipu Sultan of Mysore belongs to the closing years of the 18th century. The curved blade is single -edged and is made of fine steel. It is inscribed, on both sides, with the verses from the Holy Quran; the name of Tipu and that of his capital Srirangapattnam are recorded in Tugra style. The verses in Arabic Naskh read: Innal Allah-i-Ala Kulli Shaien Qadeer (Allah is the most powerful and omnipotent ) Nasrun-Minal Alllah-i-Fathun Qarib (With the help of Allah the victory is very near).Wa-Man Yatawakkal Alal Allah-i-Fahua Husbohu Ya Hafiz (Who has faith in Allah, Allah is enough for him). The hilt consists of a circular disc pommel, an oval grip, short quilons, small langets and a knuckle-guard for the protection of hand."Unquote.

This sword can be seen at http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/ma...objectId=14297..

The second sword on black background is shown below and seems to be another of Tipu Sultans many weapons, thus, since it seems to be of Delhishami form I include it here...It differs only in the absence of a Knuckle Guard.

I conclude; it seems logical that attached knuckle guards can be added to hilts without change to the hilt name..In the same way no hilt name change is applied even if the entire hilt is decorated florally, covered in precious metal, inscribed in gold or silver script or even if the blade is entirely switched ...for example with a Shamshir or gilded in Koftgari or with other scroll work under the rainguard or on the blade...The name still stands of the base form.