Moplah

[Bill M]

From the Coorg people of Malabar, Southwest India. Known as fanatical Muslims, launched a genocidal attack on the local Hindu in 1921 and though outnumbered almost two to one nearly succeeded in wiping out the Hindus. They used swords like this one.

Reminds me a little of a Ram Dao, but these are much more rare.

I have always had an interest in Southwest India, Kerala and Malabar. One of the cultures I have studied there are the Theyyam. Someday soon I hope to travel there.

Double edged and sharp. Overall length 28"

Comments?

[olikara]

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

From the Coorg people of Malabar, Southwest India. Known as fanatical Muslims, launched a genocidal attack on the local Hindu in 1921 and though outnumbered almost two to one nearly succeeded in wiping out the Hindus. They used swords like this one.
Comments?

Bill,
A very beautiful Katthi. Congrats.

This will be from the Moplah or 'Mappilai' people of Malabar. They are quite different from the Coorgis who are of Scythian and Hindu stock. The Mappilais are of Arab-Dravidian Muslim stock.

Coorg is adjacent to Malabar but not a part of Malabar. And very interestingly the Moplah rebellion of 1921 where the Moplahs rebelled against their Hindu landlords (Mostly Nair and Brahmin) was put down by the British who used their Gorkha levees to great effect. Moplah Katthis against the Kukris!

The Coorgis and Moplahs were never on the best of terms though. Tipu Sultan in order to subdue the ever restive Coorgis had a policy of settling Muslim populations from Mysore and adjoining Malabar into Coorg. Needless, to say after Tipu's destruction the Coorgis drove off most of these new settlers.

[Bill M]

Thank you olikara for this good information!

[Jens Nordlunde]

Bill, a very nice Moplah. I was surprised to hear that it is double edged, as I have always thought it would be edged only on the inside like the Adya Katti from Coorg. Thank you for showing it, I have never had one in my hands, and so it fails in my collection. The little spot you can see on the blade is the seal of Coorg.


Olikara, thank you for the historic background. I did not know that the Malibar’s and the Coorg’s were enemies. The more you learn, the more you understand how little you know.

[Bill M]

Found some more information on the Ayda katti. Wish I could find a picture of this belt.

"The Ayda never was known to have a sheath. carried, slung naked across the hips through a slit in a metal belt called a "Todunga," made from brass or silver, fastening in front with massive chains.

Some of these belts had a spike projecting from the center of the plate in the back. The spike has no apparent definite use, but it was remarked as the imperial assemblage at Dehli that the Coorg chiefs who were there in the costume and wearing the arms of their native country were not incommoded by any crowd pressing on them from behind."

----------- Blackwood 's Magazine 1886

[Bill M]

I made a mistake in my original post. The overall length is 23" not 28".

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by olikara

Bill,
A very beautiful Katthi. Congrats.

This will be from the Moplah or 'Mappilai' people of Malabar. They are quite different from the Coorgis who are of Scythian and Hindu stock. The Mappilais are of Arab-Dravidian Muslim stock.

Coorg is adjacent to Malabar but not a part of Malabar. And very interestingly the Moplah rebellion of 1921 where the Moplahs rebelled against their Hindu landlords (Mostly Nair and Brahmin) was put down by the British who used their Gorkha levees to great effect. Moplah Katthis against the Kukris!

The Coorgis and Moplahs were never on the best of terms though. Tipu Sultan in order to subdue the ever restive Coorgis had a policy of settling Muslim populations from Mysore and adjoining Malabar into Coorg. Needless, to say after Tipu's destruction the Coorgis drove off most of these new settlers.

Hi Olikara,
A bit late in commenting on your statement re the origin of the Coorgs being of Scythian-Hindu stock. I have done a little research into the origins of these people as they are so interesting but I cannot find a conclusive answer. The origin you have stated is one of a number of theories none of which have concrete evidence, have you found such evidence? If so I would be grateful if you would share it so that I can stop knocking my head against what appears to be a brick wall regarding this subject.
Regards
Miguel

[Ian]

Hi Miguel:

There are many tales about the origin of the Coorg. Perhaps the most romantic is that they are the descendants of some of Alexander the Great's soldiers who stayed and married local women--hence the Scythian theory. Whatever their origins, the Coorg have long been famed for their fighting skills and even in recent decades have held prominent roles in the Indian armed forces.

Ian

[Bob A]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Miguel:

There are many tales about the origin of the Coorg. Perhaps the most romantic is that they are the descendants of some of Alexander the Great's soldiers who stayed and married local women--hence the Scythian theory. Whatever their origins, the Coorg have long been famed for their fighting skills and even in recent decades have held prominent roles in the Indian armed forces.

Ian

Sounds like an opportunity for DNA testing.

[BANDOOK]

Here Is An Example of a Malabar Katti,Has wood and bone in the handle ,I Had posted these pictures earlier but saw Bill M Post ,so reposting one from my collection
Kind Regards