Indian armoury marks

Jens Nordlunde · 24th June 2007, 04:30 PM

Hi Stefan,

In A History of Rajasthan you will only find one picture of a weapon, the one shown here. The text is Rajasthan ca 1960.

Robert Elgood’s book is good, and very recommendable, but it is true that he does not show blade markings. The marks I have shown are gathered over some time, from different sources. It can be difficult to get pictures of the marks, but it is even more difficult to pin point the marks to a specific place. I don’t know of any book on this subject, I am sorry to say, but my gut feeling tells me, that there must be something somewhere – the question is – where? Lets hope we find something some day, but if we do, this will only solve part of the question, as swords were sold and could turn up in another part of the country, or maybe in another country, they were also captured and taken to other armouries, sometimes rehilted, so the marks will only help us part of the way – although it will be a big help.

Jens

Jim McDougall · 24th June 2007, 08:18 PM

Hi Dralin,
As Jens has noted, in studies of weapons from India, there has been no detailed material ever included on the markings such as from arsenals or armories. The only published material has focused on primarily typology, and Dr.Elgood's book is outstanding for his revolutionary attention to the key symbolism, superstitions and tradition found in the weapons. This approach is truly the most sound method for understanding ethnographic weapons and in many cases the development of decoration and motifs.

Jens,
In the current discussion on the Tipu thread I realized I had forgotten to ask about the Tanjore armoury....are there markings known to have been associated there?

All best regards,
Jim

Jens Nordlunde · 25th June 2007, 12:58 PM

Hi Jim,

As far as I know, the Tanjore armoury did not mark their weapons. At least I have never seen nor heard about any markings, and as there are enough weapons around, without an armoury mark; weapons known to have been in the armoury, it is fairly sure that they did not mark them. This may sound strange as it was not a small armoury, and I don’t know how they made sure that the weapons supposed to be there actually were there, but maybe someone one day will find the answer on a dusty shelf in British Library.

Jens

24th June 2007, 04:30 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Stefan, In A History of Rajasthan you will only find one picture of a weapon, the one shown here. The text is Rajasthan ca 1960. Robert Elgood’s book is good, and very recommendable, but it is true that he does not show blade markings. The marks I have shown are gathered over some time, from different sources. It can be difficult to get pictures of the marks, but it is even more difficult to pin point the marks to a specific place. I don’t know of any book on this subject, I am sorry to say, but my gut feeling tells me, that there must be something somewhere – the question is – where? Lets hope we find something some day, but if we do, this will only solve part of the question, as swords were sold and could turn up in another part of the country, or maybe in another country, they were also captured and taken to other armouries, sometimes rehilted, so the marks will only help us part of the way – although it will be a big help. Jens Attached Images

24th June 2007, 08:18 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,477	Hi Dralin, As Jens has noted, in studies of weapons from India, there has been no detailed material ever included on the markings such as from arsenals or armories. The only published material has focused on primarily typology, and Dr.Elgood's book is outstanding for his revolutionary attention to the key symbolism, superstitions and tradition found in the weapons. This approach is truly the most sound method for understanding ethnographic weapons and in many cases the development of decoration and motifs. Jens, In the current discussion on the Tipu thread I realized I had forgotten to ask about the Tanjore armoury....are there markings known to have been associated there? All best regards, Jim

25th June 2007, 12:58 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jim, As far as I know, the Tanjore armoury did not mark their weapons. At least I have never seen nor heard about any markings, and as there are enough weapons around, without an armoury mark; weapons known to have been in the armoury, it is fairly sure that they did not mark them. This may sound strange as it was not a small armoury, and I don’t know how they made sure that the weapons supposed to be there actually were there, but maybe someone one day will find the answer on a dusty shelf in British Library. Jens