Khanda Questions

Runjeet Singh · 6th January 2012, 10:05 AM

Steve,

As far as I know Indian swords were never ritually bent. However, due to certain political events in India in the late 19th century and early 20th Century, swords and weapons became a sensitive subject in Indian law. This led to the Indian public becoming nervous about keeping such items.

I believe swords blades were bent, or 'folded', and swords kept in this state to show the authorities they were kept as a keepsake and not for use.

Indians also went to the extremes of breaking the blades, the more determined or educated would dismantle the sword and keep the blade separately.

Hope this helps!
Runjeet

Stan S. · 6th January 2012, 02:05 PM

That’s an awesome sword. I too was bidding on it on eBay a couple of weeks ago and had the 2nd highest bid. You outbid me by a buck or two. At least it’s nice to know that it went to a fellow forumite.

Not a firanghi in my opinion, as the blade is clearly not of European manufacture due to a cartouche being in what looks like Arabic(?). Not a khanda either. It is definitely a cut down blade, and is it my imagination or is there a slight down curve to it? If so, it could indicate the sword originally being either a kirach or most likely a sosun pattah with an Indian basket hilt.

On the subject of bends... Are you sure the blade had been bent and straightened? I can see the areas of discoloration you are referring to but I don't really see any indication of external damage from your pictures. If the blade is in fact straight, these could be forge seams between billets of steel used to make the blade.

Please send me a PM if you ever decide to part with this sword.

6th January 2012, 10:05 AM	#1
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Steve, As far as I know Indian swords were never ritually bent. However, due to certain political events in India in the late 19th century and early 20th Century, swords and weapons became a sensitive subject in Indian law. This led to the Indian public becoming nervous about keeping such items. I believe swords blades were bent, or 'folded', and swords kept in this state to show the authorities they were kept as a keepsake and not for use. Indians also went to the extremes of breaking the blades, the more determined or educated would dismantle the sword and keep the blade separately. Hope this helps! Runjeet

6th January 2012, 02:05 PM	#2
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	That’s an awesome sword. I too was bidding on it on eBay a couple of weeks ago and had the 2nd highest bid. You outbid me by a buck or two. At least it’s nice to know that it went to a fellow forumite. Not a firanghi in my opinion, as the blade is clearly not of European manufacture due to a cartouche being in what looks like Arabic(?). Not a khanda either. It is definitely a cut down blade, and is it my imagination or is there a slight down curve to it? If so, it could indicate the sword originally being either a kirach or most likely a sosun pattah with an Indian basket hilt. On the subject of bends... Are you sure the blade had been bent and straightened? I can see the areas of discoloration you are referring to but I don't really see any indication of external damage from your pictures. If the blade is in fact straight, these could be forge seams between billets of steel used to make the blade. Please send me a PM if you ever decide to part with this sword.