Tulwar broadsword??

Michael Blalock · 25th December 2005, 06:19 AM

There was and still is a substantial Indian population along the coast of East Africa and a substantial trading colony at Aden in Yemen and at the Ethiopean port of Massawa since medievel times.

Andy Davis · 25th December 2005, 10:28 AM

I wonder why we have to guess!
In a culture that was well advanced enough to write and describe the activities of every day life, history and myth, I wonder why we have to speculate so much over "how the tulwar is held" or just why we have so much difficulty with identification.
It seems to be that we need a proper database, created only from items that do have a accutrate and tracable provinance. Likely to be through museums and the major private collections, from which we can then expand to theories on the other examples. I know im talking in an ideal world! I have European, military issue edged weapons, that nobody can identify either but the data available is far more precise.
Jens, thats exactly why I do have so many in my collection, the fact that I look for even the slightest variation and where my fasination remains. Actually its an addiction but I like to justify it.

By the way, I may have said this before. If anybody ever wants to consult my collection for serious research or general interest and finds their way to the North East of England, I'm always open to guests...with advanced warning etc

Jens Nordlunde · 25th December 2005, 09:53 PM

Andy, your collection looks impressive. I can’t by far number the same amount of tulwars as you can.
Collectors are a strange lot, they may collect the same things, or within the same area, often for very different reasons, but when it comes to the bottom line, most of the interests are the same.
From where does the weapon origin, if possible within a very narrow area, how did it develop, how old is it, what does the markings mean, why was the tulwar hilt only used in India, and why the katar – these, and a lot of other, far more complicated questions, are what collectors of Indian weapons ask themselves. The list of questions is of course much longer, as you well know, but it all comes down to, that a lot of the answers are long forgotten, and we try to seek the answers. Few of us, if any at all, will likely find the answers alone, and that is why a forum like this is a good place to start exchanging information’s. Your offer is very generous, and should I come to your part of England – I will take you up on the offer - and let you know in good time.

The Indians did indeed have trade stations form the very early times at the east coast of Africa, Zanzibar, Arabia and many other places, just like the Muslims had trade stations at the west coast of India.
I am fairly sure that I have seen the round decorations on hilts from the west coast of India – on Maplah’s(?). So this decoration, like so many others ‘travelled’ around. Jim mentioned the NW frontier, where it is also seen. For some it was only decorative, but for others it had a special meaning.

25th December 2005, 10:28 AM	#2
Andy Davis Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England, Northumberland Posts: 85	I wonder why we have to guess! In a culture that was well advanced enough to write and describe the activities of every day life, history and myth, I wonder why we have to speculate so much over "how the tulwar is held" or just why we have so much difficulty with identification. It seems to be that we need a proper database, created only from items that do have a accutrate and tracable provinance. Likely to be through museums and the major private collections, from which we can then expand to theories on the other examples. I know im talking in an ideal world! I have European, military issue edged weapons, that nobody can identify either but the data available is far more precise. Jens, thats exactly why I do have so many in my collection, the fact that I look for even the slightest variation and where my fasination remains. Actually its an addiction but I like to justify it. By the way, I may have said this before. If anybody ever wants to consult my collection for serious research or general interest and finds their way to the North East of England, I'm always open to guests...with advanced warning etc Attached Images

25th December 2005, 06:19 AM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	There was and still is a substantial Indian population along the coast of East Africa and a substantial trading colony at Aden in Yemen and at the Ethiopean port of Massawa since medievel times.

25th December 2005, 09:53 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Andy, your collection looks impressive. I can’t by far number the same amount of tulwars as you can. Collectors are a strange lot, they may collect the same things, or within the same area, often for very different reasons, but when it comes to the bottom line, most of the interests are the same. From where does the weapon origin, if possible within a very narrow area, how did it develop, how old is it, what does the markings mean, why was the tulwar hilt only used in India, and why the katar – these, and a lot of other, far more complicated questions, are what collectors of Indian weapons ask themselves. The list of questions is of course much longer, as you well know, but it all comes down to, that a lot of the answers are long forgotten, and we try to seek the answers. Few of us, if any at all, will likely find the answers alone, and that is why a forum like this is a good place to start exchanging information’s. Your offer is very generous, and should I come to your part of England – I will take you up on the offer - and let you know in good time. The Indians did indeed have trade stations form the very early times at the east coast of Africa, Zanzibar, Arabia and many other places, just like the Muslims had trade stations at the west coast of India. I am fairly sure that I have seen the round decorations on hilts from the west coast of India – on Maplah’s(?). So this decoration, like so many others ‘travelled’ around. Jim mentioned the NW frontier, where it is also seen. For some it was only decorative, but for others it had a special meaning.