Nepal Trip 2009 report

sirupate · 2nd October 2009, 03:16 PM

General Narayan Malla a highly respected Nepal army and weapons historian taking us around the National museum;

I'm holding some old photo's (late 19th century) in my hand of Gurung, Limbu and Magar warriors, sent to me by Lt. Col. Dr. Prem Singh Basnyat. These are quite interesting pictures as they potentially show them with their favoured weapons of the past, although the pics are a bit faded, one can make out some of the weapons carried. Although it is of course hard to tell how much of the posing was done for artistic license, or not.
In the Magar picture out f the eight warriors five are carrying bows (usualy made of bamboo), which where probably the most important weapon of Napalese back then, five are definately carrying khukuri of different sizes and shapes, two appear to be carry khunda. One Magar seems to be armed with khunda only, and appears to have a Dhal shield hanging on his back.
In the Limbu picture all five are carrying a bow, three are carrying khukuri of different sizes and shapes and not the classic sirupate style associated with that tribe, two of those three also appear to being wearing Talwar swords as well.
In the Gurung picture of ten, it is very hard to tell quite what is what, but certainley two are carrying khunda, but quite a few more could be, however its hard to tell whether they are khunda or Tulwar, at least three are carrying shields, maybe more, at least eight are carrying khukuri, of different sizes and shapes, no bows.
From a historical point of view the bit that interested me about the pictures was the Generals opinion about the khunda.
Below is Kaji Balnara Singh Kunwars Khunda, whether it is a fighting or sacrificial one is hard to tell, without being able to check the spine width;

I asked him if the spelling kora or khora used in the West was correct, according to the General, no it isn't, khuda or khunda are the correct spellings. The only thing I can think of regarding the Kora/Khora spellings is that it is almost the phonetic sound of khuda.
Was the khunda a National weapon of Nepal, according to the General no it wasn't, it was used, but was one of many long blade types. In his opinion sword and sheild were preferred to khunda, and for many Nepalese the bow was the main weapon, along with the spear, and the kukri by itself. or a kukri with shield were used for back up at close quarters. The General was quite adamant the only National weapon of Nepal is the kukri.
I also asked him if he thought that the khunda was a Nepalese weapon, he said he thought it might be, but that it may also have come from India.
Typical Nepalese spear below;

More to follow;

2nd October 2009, 03:16 PM	#1
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Nepal Trip 2009 report General Narayan Malla a highly respected Nepal army and weapons historian taking us around the National museum; I'm holding some old photo's (late 19th century) in my hand of Gurung, Limbu and Magar warriors, sent to me by Lt. Col. Dr. Prem Singh Basnyat. These are quite interesting pictures as they potentially show them with their favoured weapons of the past, although the pics are a bit faded, one can make out some of the weapons carried. Although it is of course hard to tell how much of the posing was done for artistic license, or not. In the Magar picture out f the eight warriors five are carrying bows (usualy made of bamboo), which where probably the most important weapon of Napalese back then, five are definately carrying khukuri of different sizes and shapes, two appear to be carry khunda. One Magar seems to be armed with khunda only, and appears to have a Dhal shield hanging on his back. In the Limbu picture all five are carrying a bow, three are carrying khukuri of different sizes and shapes and not the classic sirupate style associated with that tribe, two of those three also appear to being wearing Talwar swords as well. In the Gurung picture of ten, it is very hard to tell quite what is what, but certainley two are carrying khunda, but quite a few more could be, however its hard to tell whether they are khunda or Tulwar, at least three are carrying shields, maybe more, at least eight are carrying khukuri, of different sizes and shapes, no bows. From a historical point of view the bit that interested me about the pictures was the Generals opinion about the khunda. Below is Kaji Balnara Singh Kunwars Khunda, whether it is a fighting or sacrificial one is hard to tell, without being able to check the spine width; I asked him if the spelling kora or khora used in the West was correct, according to the General, no it isn't, khuda or khunda are the correct spellings. The only thing I can think of regarding the Kora/Khora spellings is that it is almost the phonetic sound of khuda. Was the khunda a National weapon of Nepal, according to the General no it wasn't, it was used, but was one of many long blade types. In his opinion sword and sheild were preferred to khunda, and for many Nepalese the bow was the main weapon, along with the spear, and the kukri by itself. or a kukri with shield were used for back up at close quarters. The General was quite adamant the only National weapon of Nepal is the kukri. I also asked him if he thought that the khunda was a Nepalese weapon, he said he thought it might be, but that it may also have come from India. Typical Nepalese spear below; More to follow;