Origins of Kilij

ariel · 6th March 2007, 01:55 AM

We are all familiar with Turkish Kilij: the broad curved blade with a pronounced Yelman.
Accepted wisdom is that the early Kilijes (~ 16-17th century) had an almost Yelman-less configuration, and that the classical form is a relatively late development. In the 18-19th centuries, the blades became shorter and the so-called Pala was born.
Simple and straightforward, up to here.
However, according to Unsal Yucel, there are no known examples of the truly Anatolian swords, be it Seljuk or Ottoman, prior to the reign of Mehmet II ( 1451-1481). Thus, although we have no idea what swords did the Turks carry early on, the Yelman form of Kilij came to them only in the 17th century.
However, there are plenty of Mameluke swords with documented provenance.
Apparently, Kilijes with massive Yelmans were popular in Egypt even in the 13th century.
The pics are from Yucel's book.
The first one is attributed to Muhammad ibn Qalawun, Mameluke sultan between 1299-1341. The second one is dated 1484, made by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad Ustadh al -Misri (" master from Egypt") and has Pala-like proportions.
Thus, the sword we know now as Ottoman Kilij came to Turkey proper only about 300-500 years of its use by the Mameluks.
Did the Mameluks, who were mostly Central Asians and Caucasians, bring their national weapon with them? Is Kilij an old Kipchak or Khazar sword? Chinese influence?

6th March 2007, 01:55 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Origins of Kilij We are all familiar with Turkish Kilij: the broad curved blade with a pronounced Yelman. Accepted wisdom is that the early Kilijes (~ 16-17th century) had an almost Yelman-less configuration, and that the classical form is a relatively late development. In the 18-19th centuries, the blades became shorter and the so-called Pala was born. Simple and straightforward, up to here. However, according to Unsal Yucel, there are no known examples of the truly Anatolian swords, be it Seljuk or Ottoman, prior to the reign of Mehmet II ( 1451-1481). Thus, although we have no idea what swords did the Turks carry early on, the Yelman form of Kilij came to them only in the 17th century. However, there are plenty of Mameluke swords with documented provenance. Apparently, Kilijes with massive Yelmans were popular in Egypt even in the 13th century. The pics are from Yucel's book. The first one is attributed to Muhammad ibn Qalawun, Mameluke sultan between 1299-1341. The second one is dated 1484, made by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad Ustadh al -Misri (" master from Egypt") and has Pala-like proportions. Thus, the sword we know now as Ottoman Kilij came to Turkey proper only about 300-500 years of its use by the Mameluks. Did the Mameluks, who were mostly Central Asians and Caucasians, bring their national weapon with them? Is Kilij an old Kipchak or Khazar sword? Chinese influence? Attached Images