KOLA KHUD/KHULA KHUD

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

In a break with tradition I thought to start a thread without a picture of my own exhibit...introducing it after a few replies ...but using references and a write up at the front end ...to see where it leads us? There are some good exhibits on http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...highlight=KOLA well worth looking at with some support for dates around 1900 although I have an item much later than that ...which will contrast nicely with those Qajar dynasty helmets..

Indo-Persian items of war are illustrated in the small picture below. The site from which this graphic was taken describes them as follows:

"This incredible Indo-Persian ceremonial armor dates to the 18th century and consists of a sipar (shield), tabar (axe), bazu band (forearm guard) and a khula khud battle helmet. These magnificent ceremonial military artifacts were most likely worn by a soldier for a celebratory or formalized event, such as a parade or coronation. The armor is crafted of steel and features magnificent gold koftgari inlay, Kufic calligraphy and pierced decorations. The khula khud helmet displays a retractable nose guard and chainmail that helped to deflect a blow to the back of the head and neck. The tabar, also known as a tabarzin, is the traditional battle axe of Persian culture, and is distinguished by its crescent-shaped blade and light weight, which made it easy to wield. The sipar takes the traditional form, and the bazu band is made to cuff at the wrist and cover the elbow."

Unfortunately on the web a lot of helmets are mixed up and clever displays state Ottoman, Indo-Persian, Islamic, war Helmets!! thus it may be a longer thread than I first thought with other examples from Russian archives perhaps later in the thread...though the central theme of a basin shaped head cover with a spike, nose guard and chain mail as well as a face mask (not on all) can be found right across the spectrum.

Here for interest I place a few web examples at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/C...ud_helmet.jpg~ that illustrates a good cross section of Indian examples some in collections and museums in India.