The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism

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PERHAPS WE HAVE JUMPED TOO FAR FROM THE ORIGINS OF THESE WEAPONS. WE DISCUSS MOORS, PORTUGESE, DUTCH, CHINESE, ECT AND PERHAPS THESE DID HAVE SOME LATER INFLUENCES.
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON HAD AN ADVANCED CIVILIZATION LONG BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THESE OUTSIDERS AND AS A WARRIOR SOCIETY HAD WELL DEVELOPED WEAPONS AND MARTIAL ARTS. THEY WOULD HAVE MADE THEIR OWN WEAPONS BUT THE STRONGEST EARLY INFLUENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM SOUTHERN INDIA BOTH IN RELIGION, CIVILIZATION AND WAR. WE NEED SOME ONE WELL VERSED IN THAT AREA AND ITS EARLY CULTURE TO SEE WHAT WAS THERE AND WHAT COULD HAVE EVOLVED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE KASTHANE AND THE PHIA.
PICTURES OF TWO EXAMPLES OF INDIAN WEAPONS THOUGH NOT AS OLD AS THOSE WE NEED TO SEE EXAMPLES OF.