Khanda-hilted swords

[Runjeet Singh]

Hi Timo,

Hard to comment precisely without detailed photos, but if you are only looking for general comments, then I would say you are more or less correct in the assumption of 18thC (maybe 17th) on the lower Firganghi (you didn't call them that, that is the correct term).

I think Khanda is reserved as the name of the sword with a straight blade and spatulate tip, usually double edged. These can have any type of hilt, so your hilts, I would simply refer to as basket hilts, but the swords as firanghi due to European style/made blades (Firanghi meaning foreigner). Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs!

The top one doesn't look as old, but maybe it has been re-polished. The scabbard and hilt lining is certainly recent.

Hard things to handle, perhaps if you think of them as cavalry swords, and the fact they would have been used from horseback, with a nearly straight arm, then that would make more sense for you. Don't forget the pommel 'spike' was also used so the sword could be used as a two handed sword.

Picture below are a typical 'Khanda', and the younger (but older?!) brother the 'Patissa'.

Hope that helps!
Runjeet.