Kukri...

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hi Kronckew, Emanuel and Dereck, thank you for your kind comments and for the informations on these beautiful weapons Could you tell me more about the kukris with tulwar handles? are they nepali weapons or indian? for real use or for ceremonial? thanks again guys

i believe there is a picture of the nepali museum here somewhere possibly posted by spiral (or sirupate) with one of the early kings favourite weapons, including a couple of kukhri with tulwar style handgrips. i've seen a number of indian weapons with recurved blades and tulwar handles, but believe those are larger and called something else (susson pattah?).

the mix of small principalities, tribal areas, the breakdown of the moghul empire, trade, religion, etc. really resulted in a mix of weapons being traded, captured, repaired, re-handled and reused, etc. around the area, including some rather strange ones to western eyes (like the ribbon sword). that's why afghan/nepali/indian arms are so diverse and interesting.

i have hands too big to comfortably use a traditional tulwar handle, so i have only the knowledge that my two tulwars will never be used by me. my more normal kukhri have (and will be) used, most likely as tools, but possible for other uses.

the british, having conquered, stolen, bought, bribed or inherited ownership of most of india were singularly unsuccessful in nepal, the thin red line being fought to a standstill by the short green one, the little smiling men with the bent knives forced them into a treaty based on mutual respect that still exists today resulting in the gurkha regiments of the british army which remain amongst the finest soldiers in the world - and they still carry their kukhris. issue ones for parade, but they have been known to carry their family heirloom ones when they really mean business.

anyhow, here is a link to a few tulwar hilted kukhri from the ikrs forum

Tulwar hilted kukhri

and a more general historical link, 1st picture is of 3 kora hilted kukhri from the nepal national museum

Historical link