Yet another Tulwar

[Jens Nordlunde]

Well Ibrahim, I can say that I agree with you.
The names you 'give' the different hilts are from Pant, but who told you that he was wright?
I think it needs far more research before we can be sure, from where the different hilt types came. To this comes, that hilts were very often sold (exported) to other parts of India - undecorated. So it is not unlikely that you can find a 'Delhi' hilt, decorated and bought (by museums/collectors) from Deccan or elsewhere a century later than the hilt was made, or maybe a only a decade later.

Added later. The problem is, that we know far too little about these hilts, and out knowledge is based on unceartin information's.
I do wish that it had been otherwise, but I am afrid that we will have to make our own research. Many of these hilts are very close to each other in looks and none of us know if they really origins from Delhi.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Well Ibrahim, I can say that I agree with you.
The names you 'give' the different hilts are from Pant, but who told you that he was wright?
I think it needs far more research before we can be sure, from where the different hilt types came. To this comes, that hilts were very often sold (exported) to other parts of India - undecorated. So it is not unlikely that you can find a 'Delhi' hilt, decorated and bought (by museums/collectors) from Deccan or elsewhere a century later than the hilt was made, or maybe a only a decade later.

Well noted Jens, and this situation is indeed well established by examples of hilt forms which Pant tried to 'regionalize' into certain areas. However some examples of the same form may be found in other areas with quite different localized motif.

The fact that these primary hilt forms were retained and used for almost indeterminate lengths of time, over not only generations, but centuries, makes identification by that criteria alone in most cases unlikely.

Still, the occurrence of elements or features which vary from other examples of similar form which have a degree of consistancy may on occasion establish a compelling suggestion to more specific regions.

Also the potential cases of diplomatic gifts and often even trophy weapons in addition to these 'trade' instances further complicate classifications, but those may be more isolated.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Well Ibrahim, I can say that I agree with you.
The names you 'give' the different hilts are from Pant, but who told you that he was wright?
I think it needs far more research before we can be sure, from where the different hilt types came. To this comes, that hilts were very often sold (exported) to other parts of India - undecorated. So it is not unlikely that you can find a 'Delhi' hilt, decorated and bought (by museums/collectors) from Deccan or elsewhere a century later than the hilt was made, or maybe a only a decade later.

Added later. The problem is, that we know far too little about these hilts, and out knowledge is based on unceartin information's.
I do wish that it had been otherwise, but I am afrid that we will have to make our own research. Many of these hilts are very close to each other in looks and none of us know if they really origins from Delhi.

I absolutely agree...although I don't have Pant to hand or many other specialized books so what I tend to focus on is web references and those of the Forum Library...

All these Tulvar relatives form a kind of national soup ! They are as common a denominator as Indian Curry is to Indian cuisine! I have seen Tulvar hilts on Ethiopian swords and almost every form of mixed blade and hilt as well as the highly decorated very expensive Mughal designs; lavish, exquisite, dripping in diamonds and gold...all in the mix...

Turkish/ Afghan/ Persian ? It is almost impossible to distinguish one from the other thus pinpoint accuracy is out of the question, however, diving into this pool is well worth the effort for beginners and enthusiastic learners alike and armed with the information in our pages they can see and better understand the problems.

Indian weapons are a massive subject not least because of the European variations and neighboring countries absorbing and fusing their designs and influences. It is a lifes work.