[Jim McDougall]

What you have noted is in degree quite true Stefan, the references on Indian weapons are limited mostly to the standard books that have been around for a long time. The only recent reference I recall offhand that has been published is the outstanding work by Elgood, "Hindu Arms and Ritual".

The Rawson book does note that the Rajputs of the northwest indeed fell under the domination of Islamic material culture, and the wootz blades were watered imitating crystalline damask favoring the preferred Mughal damask. In paintings earlier of Rajputs in battles against Mughals, Rawson notes that in one, a Rajput khanda is shown with the Indo Muslim hilt form (pp.27-29).
Apparantly most 18th century khandas have the narrow fretted reinforcements on the blade back and partially on the cutting side. It is interesting , however,that in Egerton (plate 24, 530T) a Rajput khanda with Indo Muslim hilt is shown in line drawing with heavy, fullered blade without reinforcements. Since the Egerton work is considered to be based primarily on extant contemporary examples and was written in 1884, it would seem that by that time the khanda type weapons with Indo Muslim hilt carried heavy, unreinforced and fullered blades.

In "Islamic Arms and Armour of Muslim India" by Dr. Syed Haider (Lahore,1991, p.177), the author notes, "...Muslim khandas were generally equipped with the Indo Muslim hilt. As a weapon, khanda was used by Rajputs, Mughals and Mahrattas".
In the same sense, Rawson notes (p.29) that with the 'sosun pattah', "...this Rajput form is always found mounted in the Hindu basket hilt, whereas the other, Islamic , form has an Indo Muslim hilt".

It is indeed extremely difficult to accurately place time period, or in many cases geographic or cultural identification to the weapons of India, but it seems quite likely that the late 18th-early 19th century period is correct. As we have agreed, accurate reference material on these weapons is in many cases flawed in certain areas, but using them as benchmarks and reinforcing with study of historical material is the best method to follow.

With the information I have found, I think Stefan's inclination toward Mughal is well placed, as the hilt is very close to those of Rajasthan regions in early 19th century, the blade reinforced in traditional style and in the damask as noted.

Just my opinion based on references at hand.