A well travelled Bikaner Blade?

olikara · 20th February 2008, 05:32 PM

I have before the forum an interesting South Indian Sword. I recently acquired it.

Here are my comments on this piece:-

1. It is South Indian from the monster head pommel - Yali, and the general construction of the hilt. Note the serrated disc holding the tangs, an unique Deccani attribute. The hilt is also made of Brass, another popular South Indian metal working tradition.

2. It is about a foot and a half in length. The blade is a recurving blade, like a sosun patta.

3. Now, the most surprising observation. The blade has distinct Bikaner Armoury markings. However, this particular piece is not very ostentatious and fine like the other Vijaynagar weapons at Bikaner, many of whom are shown in Elgood's 'Hindu Arms and Ritual'.

4. I think the hilt may have been cast at some village armoury in the South and from a much later period say mid to late 1800's, a period which did see a profusion of such brass cast weapons around Old Mysore and Tanjore.

But, could this piece actually have been an original but simple specimen from the Vijaynagar period.

Or to solve all our problems, a rehilt!

Nidhi Olikara

20th February 2008, 05:32 PM	#1
olikara Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: India Posts: 100	A well travelled Bikaner Blade? I have before the forum an interesting South Indian Sword. I recently acquired it. Here are my comments on this piece:- 1. It is South Indian from the monster head pommel - Yali, and the general construction of the hilt. Note the serrated disc holding the tangs, an unique Deccani attribute. The hilt is also made of Brass, another popular South Indian metal working tradition. 2. It is about a foot and a half in length. The blade is a recurving blade, like a sosun patta. 3. Now, the most surprising observation. The blade has distinct Bikaner Armoury markings. However, this particular piece is not very ostentatious and fine like the other Vijaynagar weapons at Bikaner, many of whom are shown in Elgood's 'Hindu Arms and Ritual'. 4. I think the hilt may have been cast at some village armoury in the South and from a much later period say mid to late 1800's, a period which did see a profusion of such brass cast weapons around Old Mysore and Tanjore. But, could this piece actually have been an original but simple specimen from the Vijaynagar period. Or to solve all our problems, a rehilt! Nidhi Olikara Attached Images