INDIAN JAMBIYA (JUMBEEA, JUMBIYAH)

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Cathey

Hi Guys

I picked up this Jambiya a number of years ago and although the condition of the blade is down, I was particularly attracted to the Chevron design on the blade which I had only seen on Tulwars until this Jambiya surfaced. Given the chevron blade I have assumed this Jambiya to be Indian or Indo Persian.

Date : Circa 1700 (18th Century)
Overall Length: 39.3 cm 15 ½” in scabbard 38.1 cm 13 “ dagger only
Blade length: 25.8 cm 10 1/8”
Blade widest point: 5.1 cm 2”
Hilt length: 13 cm 5 1/8”
Marks, etc. faint traces of chevron decoration on blade

Description: JAMBIYA
Indian with heavily damascened Hilt with floral design. Blade has gentle central ridge in the Indian and or Persian style and has faint traces of chevron decoration. Scabbard is wood covered in silk with gilt mounts in a floral design.

Can anyone provide me with more information on how the chevron pattern is created in the steel and when and where it first came into use.


References:
Pant, Gayatri Nath, Indian Arms And Armour Volume Ii (Swords And Daggers) Pp 96,158,160.


Cheers Cathey and Rex

Salaams Cathey and Rex, A great subject and a superb photo and detail though I always have to consider what the difference is between an Indian Khanjar and an Indian Jambia since name-wise one probably comes from the Persian and the other from Arabia ...Yemen. I saw http://www.ewtodanmark.dk/magazine/no%204/Data/p06.html which outlines some variety in Indian Daggers...
I noticed slots in the blade of one follow up example above and filled by small round balls of the style tears of the afflicted. Pulling the right date out of the hat is an art best left to Mr Jens since I just cannot tell from a photo how old these weapons are but in Persian examples they go back to the 16th Century according to The Met. Some delightful examples appear from Moghal court weapons later and these were also sold to Ottoman clients..
Altogether a great subject...

For interest see http://mandarinmansion.com/talwar-lehria-chevron-blade where a an experiment in bending a Chevron sword blade showed it was equally as strong as other blades and demonstrated by Richard Furrer.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Below a few Indian Daggers ..one with tears of the wounded/tears of the afflicted in the hilt. Chevron sword blade included for interest. The lower Chilanum has an unusual Chevron decorated hilt.