The so-called " cobra swords"

ariel · 21st November 2019, 08:12 PM

On pp. 109-10 and 121, 123 Elgood shows peculiar S. Indian swords with disk-like widening of the blade by the handle.
They are popularly called " cobra swords" by the Westerners, even though they have nothing to do with the snake: the widened disk is a representation of Chakra, a weapon of Shiva.
Also, I am showing a S. Indian katar with identical feaure, confirming the S. Indian origin.
However, similar blades are found in the NW India, the so-called Pahari Kingdoms, established by the Hindu Rajputs escaping Muslim control over them.
Many of them carry typical Afghani Pulwar handles, and are usually defined as Indo-Afghani swords. However, some carry very "Indian" handles, without cup-like pommels and down-turned quillons and some have a mix of both features.

Any idea re. several questions:
1. Can the S. Indian and NW Indian examples be separated based on the configuration of their handles?

2. Could some of S. Indian examples have replacement handles, ? Among the examples I show there are " pulwar", " tulwar" and likely "Deccani" ones?

21st November 2019, 08:12 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The so-called " cobra swords" On pp. 109-10 and 121, 123 Elgood shows peculiar S. Indian swords with disk-like widening of the blade by the handle. They are popularly called " cobra swords" by the Westerners, even though they have nothing to do with the snake: the widened disk is a representation of Chakra, a weapon of Shiva. Also, I am showing a S. Indian katar with identical feaure, confirming the S. Indian origin. However, similar blades are found in the NW India, the so-called Pahari Kingdoms, established by the Hindu Rajputs escaping Muslim control over them. Many of them carry typical Afghani Pulwar handles, and are usually defined as Indo-Afghani swords. However, some carry very "Indian" handles, without cup-like pommels and down-turned quillons and some have a mix of both features. Any idea re. several questions: 1. Can the S. Indian and NW Indian examples be separated based on the configuration of their handles? 2. Could some of S. Indian examples have replacement handles, ? Among the examples I show there are " pulwar", " tulwar" and likely "Deccani" ones? Attached Images