Tulwar Hilt Straight Blade, Sukhela?

Gavin Nugent · 19th February 2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Guys,
Picked this up today, blade length a touch over 30 inches and width at widest 1 1/2 inches, blade is thinner than I'm used to on Indian swords but very springy and flexible. It was covered in a thick layer of tobacco tar and took time to clean but it did reveal traces of goldwork on top of the pommel and under the langets so should have been a looker in its day. I think this sword might be a bit special re Indian swords so I look forward with interest in your thoughts and opinions.
There is a thread started by Gav, 'freebooter', on 'Straight bladed Tulwars', with posts by Jim, Jens and others which I think has pertinence to this sword but I don't know how to do a link

Regards,
Norman.

Both popular and nice Norman, I like them, thanks for sharing.

Here is the link;

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...+bladed+tulwar

I'm working my way through to your request, I hope it is not time critical...sorry.

Gav

Norman McCormick · 20th February 2011, 12:06 AM

Hi Gene,
Thanks, I've no idea if this is a European blade or not there are absolutely no markings at all.

Hi Gav,
Thanks for posting the link. Request not time sensitive I bought 2 Arabian matchlocks with this sword!, pocket money all gone this month, which I will post in due course.

Regards to you both,
Norman.

P.S. Attached a better photo of the hilt top.

Lew · 20th February 2011, 04:15 AM

Hi Norman

Very nice kirash you have early to mid 19th century.

Norman McCormick · 20th February 2011, 12:00 PM

Hi Lew,
Thanks, from what I have read this blade does not have the downward curve that appears to define a Kirach/Kirash or is this attribute not necessary in the definition? Thanks again.
Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 21st February 2011, 12:31 AM

Hi Norman,
You are right in noting that the kirach is supposed to be not entirely straight, a slight curve toward the tip. Terminology in Indian swords in particular among ethnographic forms can sometimes be remarkably confusing.

In my understanding this may probably best be considered a sukhela as you have rightly suggested. While the term itself also has applications to a low carbon type steel used in India and often believed associated with these, it primarily refers to a straight bladed sword. Apparantly these straight bladed swords are highly regarded as representation of authority, in essence, a 'sword of state' and carried by court officials, awarded to soldiers in high esteem and honored and other similar stations. The straight bladed sword I believe in Marathi is termed 'dhup' but obviously thier swords were khanda (or firangi) and pata which had straight blades, so it is puzzling to consider how that would apply.

This is of course an Indian made blade, and you have acquired an usual and interesting sword.

It would be interesting if someone could post a kirach so we might compare these, as well as better explain the dhup term....Jens?

All the best,
Jim

Rick · 21st February 2011, 01:37 AM

An extreme example .

Jim McDougall · 21st February 2011, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

An extreme example .

of a kirach.

20th February 2011, 12:06 AM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,648	Hi Gene, Thanks, I've no idea if this is a European blade or not there are absolutely no markings at all. Hi Gav, Thanks for posting the link. Request not time sensitive I bought 2 Arabian matchlocks with this sword!, pocket money all gone this month, which I will post in due course. Regards to you both, Norman. P.S. Attached a better photo of the hilt top. Attached Images Last edited by Norman McCormick; 20th February 2011 at 11:32 PM.

20th February 2011, 12:00 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,648	Hi Lew, Thanks, from what I have read this blade does not have the downward curve that appears to define a Kirach/Kirash or is this attribute not necessary in the definition? Thanks again. Regards, Norman. Last edited by Norman McCormick; 20th February 2011 at 10:42 PM.

21st February 2011, 01:37 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,378	An extreme example . Attached Images

20th February 2011, 04:15 AM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Norman Very nice kirash you have early to mid 19th century.

21st February 2011, 12:31 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,718	Hi Norman, You are right in noting that the kirach is supposed to be not entirely straight, a slight curve toward the tip. Terminology in Indian swords in particular among ethnographic forms can sometimes be remarkably confusing. In my understanding this may probably best be considered a sukhela as you have rightly suggested. While the term itself also has applications to a low carbon type steel used in India and often believed associated with these, it primarily refers to a straight bladed sword. Apparantly these straight bladed swords are highly regarded as representation of authority, in essence, a 'sword of state' and carried by court officials, awarded to soldiers in high esteem and honored and other similar stations. The straight bladed sword I believe in Marathi is termed 'dhup' but obviously thier swords were khanda (or firangi) and pata which had straight blades, so it is puzzling to consider how that would apply. This is of course an Indian made blade, and you have acquired an usual and interesting sword. It would be interesting if someone could post a kirach so we might compare these, as well as better explain the dhup term....Jens? All the best, Jim