Indian Tulwar: important?

[Jens Nordlunde]

Ariel,

These hilts can be seen in ‘The Adventures of Hamza’, showing painted pictures made for Akbar in mid 16th century - a detail is attached.

In your post you write, “For us, simple people, it is reminiscent of the Sumatran piso podangs”.

I will not argue with you, as I can’t prove from where these hilts origin, but I do find it possible that these hilt form was brought from Deccan/South India to Sumatra and other places, as the Indians, in the very early centuries had founded colonies/kingdoms over big parts of SEA, and ambassadors were send to and from China to keep the good relationship.

For further reference see, Suvaruadvipa, Hindu Colonies of the Far East, by R.C.Majumder. If you are interested in history, it is interesting reading.

Jens