how curved can a tulwar be?

Jim McDougall · 23rd July 2008, 07:27 PM

Hi Stephen,
This is a beautiful example of a tulwar, all the more so for its simplicity which suggests it is primarily a fighting weapon without the ceremonial affectations. The uniform light pitting nicely reflects its age into likely 18th century, as well as the style which suggests to me it is probably from Rajasthan or regions into Punjab.

The blade with yelman also has a pronounced ricasso at the terminus of the blade edge near the hilt. It seems there has been considerable debate on this, but there is a vaguely described tulwar form attributed primarily to Sikhs termed 'halab'. In the description it, as noted, includes reference to finger guard, and it seems possible this raised ricasso might meet that definition.
The extreme upturn and yelman on this blade is unusual, but by no means unique and it seems that Indian blades with yelman are mostly of 18th century into the opening of the 19th.

It seems there are likely more specific references not at hand at the moment, but I would say at first glance, this tulwar is quite likely either Sikh or Rajput and of the regions and period noted.

The Persian term shamshir refers to those curved blades which radius to a point without yelman. The Mughal courts were of course highly characterized by Persian influence, which added confusion to terminology with tulwar a generally applied term used in India for sword, and the Persian term applied to swords with the angled pommel hilt. I have seen sabres with Persian style hilt and Indian flueret langets and tulwar quillon terminals with knuckleguard called 'Persian style hilt tulwar'. I have usually considered these from Sind, but research remains incomplete.

As always, more research will likely reveal more!

A very nice warrior!

All the best,
Jim

23rd July 2008, 07:27 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Hi Stephen, This is a beautiful example of a tulwar, all the more so for its simplicity which suggests it is primarily a fighting weapon without the ceremonial affectations. The uniform light pitting nicely reflects its age into likely 18th century, as well as the style which suggests to me it is probably from Rajasthan or regions into Punjab. The blade with yelman also has a pronounced ricasso at the terminus of the blade edge near the hilt. It seems there has been considerable debate on this, but there is a vaguely described tulwar form attributed primarily to Sikhs termed 'halab'. In the description it, as noted, includes reference to finger guard, and it seems possible this raised ricasso might meet that definition. The extreme upturn and yelman on this blade is unusual, but by no means unique and it seems that Indian blades with yelman are mostly of 18th century into the opening of the 19th. It seems there are likely more specific references not at hand at the moment, but I would say at first glance, this tulwar is quite likely either Sikh or Rajput and of the regions and period noted. The Persian term shamshir refers to those curved blades which radius to a point without yelman. The Mughal courts were of course highly characterized by Persian influence, which added confusion to terminology with tulwar a generally applied term used in India for sword, and the Persian term applied to swords with the angled pommel hilt. I have seen sabres with Persian style hilt and Indian flueret langets and tulwar quillon terminals with knuckleguard called 'Persian style hilt tulwar'. I have usually considered these from Sind, but research remains incomplete. As always, more research will likely reveal more! A very nice warrior! All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 23rd July 2008 at 11:42 PM.

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