Where did the practice of placing small stones in pulwar hilts originate?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Mercenary

This is an Indian and then an Indo-Muslim feature. This is what animates the sword. The Indian weapon is a subject, not an object.

But pearls in the blade (or their metal analogue) are already a Muslim feature. This is the soul of the blade, as well as its shine. Persian "gauhar", Arabic "jauhar" - "blade shine" - also means "jewel", "precious stone", "pearl".

Well noted Mercenary, as has been understood, the sword in India was indeed not simply an object, but sensed as a vibrant living entity. I hope I have accurately described, but it is a delicate topic so I welcome elucidation.

The rattling beads held inside the pommel was a feature I have seen in several Sudanese swords which seemed in high esteem etc. and wondered if this was an affectation which came from India (as with the Rajput haladie or other Persian influences).

[Mercenary]

In India, there was no clear distinction between the sacred and the real. For the owner, his weapon was simultaneously combat, ritual and ceremonial.
Decorating a weapon is initially its animation and subjectivation, like the drawings and names on tanks and planes during World War II.
Stones in the hilt, bells, rings, pearls in the blade are quite obvious solutions that evoke similar reactions in traditional Eastern cultures.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Mercenary

In India, there was no clear distinction between the sacred and the real. For the owner, his weapon was simultaneously combat, ritual and ceremonial.
Decorating a weapon is initially its animation and subjectivation, like the drawings and names on tanks and planes during World War II.
Stones in the hilt, bells, rings, pearls in the blade are quite obvious solutions that evoke similar reactions in traditional Eastern cultures.

Makes sense, and the practice of eponyms for certain things, for example people giving their cars names; Vikings naming their weapons etc.
I think my thoughts were toward weapons that were known in temples such as Nayar Temple swords, which had hilts often with symbolic elements, as well as unusual shaped blades which also may have had certain meanings.
It seems like bells or jingles were often features on some of these.