Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Radu Transylvanicus · 6th February 2006, 01:00 PM

Jim put it in good words. As a matter of prefference I like better the term "Rajput basket hilt" so I wont confuse with its ancestor the "Old Hindu Hilt" that developed a lot more earliear than 15th-16th century, normally accepted as the birth of the basket hilt. After khanda swords, the firangi were developed starting becoming popular in the 17th century, same time and in ties with European colonial expansion, as its name implies, the word "firangi" is Hindi for "foreigner", originally reffering to the blade, normally European (Portuguese or English rapier blades). They were well used into battle in the 19th century (Eggerton presents a few examples captured in 19th century battles). One that firangi resembling yours is described by Eggerton in his wonderful "Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour" according to older English notes as: " Jumgheerdha (?) long , narrow straight edged swordattached to a kind of basket hilt slightly plated. Time of Hyder Ali. Worn by the Polygars of Nugger. " Note: Hyder Ali (1722-82) is the father of famous Sultan Tippu of Mysore. I'm not implying your swords are necesarilly such but is a good unusual trivia to know for firangi.
In the beggining firangi swords were associated with the Maratha (today's Maharashtra state mostly) warrior caste. Later they were adopted by many others including the Sikh on a large scale. Sikhs use rather the word "ferri" for the firangi swords.
The spike on firangi was used as a second hand grip and perhaps used for stabbing as well in some cases. The basket is usually well padded to absorb blows (royal fists, what can you do

)

6th February 2006, 01:00 PM	#5
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	Jim put it in good words. As a matter of prefference I like better the term "Rajput basket hilt" so I wont confuse with its ancestor the "Old Hindu Hilt" that developed a lot more earliear than 15th-16th century, normally accepted as the birth of the basket hilt. After khanda swords, the firangi were developed starting becoming popular in the 17th century, same time and in ties with European colonial expansion, as its name implies, the word "firangi" is Hindi for "foreigner", originally reffering to the blade, normally European (Portuguese or English rapier blades). They were well used into battle in the 19th century (Eggerton presents a few examples captured in 19th century battles). One that firangi resembling yours is described by Eggerton in his wonderful "Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour" according to older English notes as: " Jumgheerdha (?) long , narrow straight edged swordattached to a kind of basket hilt slightly plated. Time of Hyder Ali. Worn by the Polygars of Nugger. " Note: Hyder Ali (1722-82) is the father of famous Sultan Tippu of Mysore. I'm not implying your swords are necesarilly such but is a good unusual trivia to know for firangi. In the beggining firangi swords were associated with the Maratha (today's Maharashtra state mostly) warrior caste. Later they were adopted by many others including the Sikh on a large scale. Sikhs use rather the word "ferri" for the firangi swords. The spike on firangi was used as a second hand grip and perhaps used for stabbing as well in some cases. The basket is usually well padded to absorb blows (royal fists, what can you do )