(really) old tulwar with yelman for ID

Jim McDougall · 25th August 2025, 06:25 PM

Outstanding examples!!! and perfectly described!
The northern example on the left, as noted has the central pin in the crossguard as is typical of the tulwars of these regions (now Afghanistan). The flared quillon terminals are of course atypical of typical tulwars, and there is a marked resemblance toward the familiar paluoar.

What I have learned over the years is the heavier the blade, the earlier, and the yelman's primary objective was to add weight and heft to cutting power. Thus even with lighter blade overall, extra weight and surface added strength to the cut. While the yelman is of course derived from the Turkic influences that were key in Central Asian into Mughal spheres, it surely expanded in degree to other groups and areas. The middle and right examples are most certainly Rajasthani, and quite likely Rajput. The central one has the squared langet which Pant (1980) aligns with Udaipur.

Thank you for entering these Norman! Its exciting to see such examples shown together in comparison. Really miss having Jens around.

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25th August 2025, 06:25 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,565	Outstanding examples!!! and perfectly described! The northern example on the left, as noted has the central pin in the crossguard as is typical of the tulwars of these regions (now Afghanistan). The flared quillon terminals are of course atypical of typical tulwars, and there is a marked resemblance toward the familiar paluoar. What I have learned over the years is the heavier the blade, the earlier, and the yelman's primary objective was to add weight and heft to cutting power. Thus even with lighter blade overall, extra weight and surface added strength to the cut. While the yelman is of course derived from the Turkic influences that were key in Central Asian into Mughal spheres, it surely expanded in degree to other groups and areas. The middle and right examples are most certainly Rajasthani, and quite likely Rajput. The central one has the squared langet which Pant (1980) aligns with Udaipur. Thank you for entering these Norman! Its exciting to see such examples shown together in comparison. Really miss having Jens around.