How many researchers are there on the forum when it comes to Indian wapons

Jens Nordlunde · 21st September 2018, 04:55 PM

Ian and Ed,

What you write is true, as it does take a lot of time, and a lot of stones to turn.

Ian has been lucky to have a work which made him research at the same time - on the spot so to say. Unfortunately I did not have this option, so I had to do my studies from books. This is all right, but you need to have a lot of books, and not all authors write the same about the same episode, so you have to check it once more, to find the description which you believe most in.
Like in my article Saadat Khan Bahadur the First Nawab of Oudh. In one book it says that he took poison, by in another book, written by someone who knew him, it says that he had cancer, and from that he died.

Ed, you hit the nail right on the head. HOW do you start? Reference books and notes in books and articles are very good starters. Time to wait for an opening - which can take a very long time, if you are not lucky.
The first tulwar I bought in 1967, and only recently I saw a picture of a hilt which must have been made at the same place, maybe of the same man who made my hilt. Ok it does not have to take such a long time. A Pesh Kabz I have with a very special decoration, recently I saw a picture of a sword hilt with the same decoration. only a picture without any comments. The Pesh Kabz I bought is 1973.
This may sound frightening, but it is really not, as research can be done in many ways, depending on how deep you want to dig.

Jens

shayde78 · 22nd September 2018, 02:44 AM

Thank you for issuing a bit of a challenge for folks to hone their skills as researchers. While I am certain this community fully values the expertise on display here, I'm not so sure everyone fully appreciates the labor expended to gain this knowledge.

I know, personally, the demands of career and family make both my time and finances short of fully indulging my interests. That said, I endeavor to build my knowledge through steady efforts, and appreciate being pointed in the right direction to access information.

Thanks again!

Jens Nordlunde · 22nd September 2018, 05:56 PM

Shayde78,
Thank you for your post.
Depending on where you live, libraries and museums can often be of a big help, but you can also ask here on the forum, which books to buy or lend. Many of the books have been reprinted, so the price is low.
If you want to research, you must be aware of, that books are books, and the written word is the written word - but not always as sharp as a sword:-). So you should compare texts about the same subject to make sure you get the correct version.
Jens

21st September 2018, 04:55 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ian and Ed, What you write is true, as it does take a lot of time, and a lot of stones to turn. Ian has been lucky to have a work which made him research at the same time - on the spot so to say. Unfortunately I did not have this option, so I had to do my studies from books. This is all right, but you need to have a lot of books, and not all authors write the same about the same episode, so you have to check it once more, to find the description which you believe most in. Like in my article Saadat Khan Bahadur the First Nawab of Oudh. In one book it says that he took poison, by in another book, written by someone who knew him, it says that he had cancer, and from that he died. Ed, you hit the nail right on the head. HOW do you start? Reference books and notes in books and articles are very good starters. Time to wait for an opening - which can take a very long time, if you are not lucky. The first tulwar I bought in 1967, and only recently I saw a picture of a hilt which must have been made at the same place, maybe of the same man who made my hilt. Ok it does not have to take such a long time. A Pesh Kabz I have with a very special decoration, recently I saw a picture of a sword hilt with the same decoration. only a picture without any comments. The Pesh Kabz I bought is 1973. This may sound frightening, but it is really not, as research can be done in many ways, depending on how deep you want to dig. Jens

22nd September 2018, 02:44 AM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Thank you for issuing a bit of a challenge for folks to hone their skills as researchers. While I am certain this community fully values the expertise on display here, I'm not so sure everyone fully appreciates the labor expended to gain this knowledge. I know, personally, the demands of career and family make both my time and finances short of fully indulging my interests. That said, I endeavor to build my knowledge through steady efforts, and appreciate being pointed in the right direction to access information. Thanks again!

22nd September 2018, 05:56 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Shayde78, Thank you for your post. Depending on where you live, libraries and museums can often be of a big help, but you can also ask here on the forum, which books to buy or lend. Many of the books have been reprinted, so the price is low. If you want to research, you must be aware of, that books are books, and the written word is the written word - but not always as sharp as a sword:-). So you should compare texts about the same subject to make sure you get the correct version. Jens