Sinhala / Sri Lankan Swords?

fernando · 3rd February 2014, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

... Many thanks to the involved participants so far ...

So kind of you Ibrahiim ... but, AFAIAC, you needn't bother resuming thanks for one's contribution to the thread. Remember that its author was someone else; you are then saved from the burden of such protocol

.

Jim McDougall · 3rd February 2014, 11:40 PM

I have decided to open a new thread with its title specific to the kastane which I hope will better attend to discussion on these in particular without further consternation to the broader scope of this thread. While the title here is of course Sinhala/Sri Lankan swords, which obviously includes the profoundly notable kastane, it would seem its complexities and far more comprehensive requirements would be better served in separate discussion.

I would invite anyone reading here with specific interest in the kastane to not only peruse the discussion thus far here, but to also go to "The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism" which will be concurrently on this forum.

I hope this will better appoint the focus in addressing these topics, and although I am not personally the author of this particular thread, I would like to take the liberty of thanking everyone who has participated here as well, and especially KuKulz for the original post. The weapons of Sri Lanka overall, are fascinating as is the remarkable history of this nation , so I look forward to continued development in discussion here as well as on the other thread.

VANDOO · 13th February 2014, 06:04 AM

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF SOUTH INDIAN SWORDS. #1. PICTURE IS REFERRED TO AS A PATTISA AND HAS A 18.5 INCH BLADE. #2. PICTURE SOUTH INDIA TEMPLE SWORDS. #3. NAYAR TEMPLE SWORD.
THESE ARE SIMULAR TO THE SWORDS DEPICTED ABOVE. I ASSUME DURING CEYLONS HISTORY POWER MAY HAVE BEEN HELD BY KINGDOMS IN SOUTHERN INDIA OVER PARTS OF CEYLON AND LIKEWISE CEYLON MAY HAVE HELD TERRITORY IN SOUTHERN INDIA. THIS OFTEN OCCURS EITHER BY TREATY OR FORCE OF ARMS BUT AS I DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY I DON'T KNOW.
I HAVE SEEN SOMETHING SIMULAR IN THIS SWORD FORM (ESPECIALLY THE BLADE ) IN JAPANESE AND CHINESE ART USUALLY REPRESENTED AS A TEMPLE SWORD.

Jim McDougall · 14th February 2014, 05:28 PM

Excellent entry Barry! Most assuredly there were kingdoms in India ruling parts of Ceylon during various early periods, and that is very much part of the complex and diverse history of this fascinating island. In 'Deraniyagala' (1942) there are a number of swords depicted in plates of line drawings very similar to these you have posted.
It is of course apparent that these swords of the Southern Indian kingdoms were strongly represented in early Sinhalese armouries.

With reference to elements which may have had some representation in the transitional forms which became eventually the kastane, please note the curious langet like extension on the upper sword in the second photo.
This same form occurs in kastane in the quillon configuration of the guard.

3rd February 2014, 11:40 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	I have decided to open a new thread with its title specific to the kastane which I hope will better attend to discussion on these in particular without further consternation to the broader scope of this thread. While the title here is of course Sinhala/Sri Lankan swords, which obviously includes the profoundly notable kastane, it would seem its complexities and far more comprehensive requirements would be better served in separate discussion. I would invite anyone reading here with specific interest in the kastane to not only peruse the discussion thus far here, but to also go to "The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism" which will be concurrently on this forum. I hope this will better appoint the focus in addressing these topics, and although I am not personally the author of this particular thread, I would like to take the liberty of thanking everyone who has participated here as well, and especially KuKulz for the original post. The weapons of Sri Lanka overall, are fascinating as is the remarkable history of this nation , so I look forward to continued development in discussion here as well as on the other thread.

13th February 2014, 06:04 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF SOUTH INDIAN SWORDS. #1. PICTURE IS REFERRED TO AS A PATTISA AND HAS A 18.5 INCH BLADE. #2. PICTURE SOUTH INDIA TEMPLE SWORDS. #3. NAYAR TEMPLE SWORD. THESE ARE SIMULAR TO THE SWORDS DEPICTED ABOVE. I ASSUME DURING CEYLONS HISTORY POWER MAY HAVE BEEN HELD BY KINGDOMS IN SOUTHERN INDIA OVER PARTS OF CEYLON AND LIKEWISE CEYLON MAY HAVE HELD TERRITORY IN SOUTHERN INDIA. THIS OFTEN OCCURS EITHER BY TREATY OR FORCE OF ARMS BUT AS I DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE SEEN SOMETHING SIMULAR IN THIS SWORD FORM (ESPECIALLY THE BLADE ) IN JAPANESE AND CHINESE ART USUALLY REPRESENTED AS A TEMPLE SWORD. Attached Images

14th February 2014, 05:28 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Excellent entry Barry! Most assuredly there were kingdoms in India ruling parts of Ceylon during various early periods, and that is very much part of the complex and diverse history of this fascinating island. In 'Deraniyagala' (1942) there are a number of swords depicted in plates of line drawings very similar to these you have posted. It is of course apparent that these swords of the Southern Indian kingdoms were strongly represented in early Sinhalese armouries. With reference to elements which may have had some representation in the transitional forms which became eventually the kastane, please note the curious langet like extension on the upper sword in the second photo. This same form occurs in kastane in the quillon configuration of the guard.