Indian Swords with downward curving blades

[ariel]

Yes, there are kukris clearly marked with what we conveniently call " Mazar-i-Sharif" stamp. Likely, just a stamp of government property. They are from the very end of the 19th century, perhaps even beginning of the 20th.

[estcrh]

Miguel, nice examples, thanks for sharing your pictures.

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by estcrh

Miguel, nice examples, thanks for sharing your pictures.

My pleasure and thanks for grouping them together, it makes it easier to compare both sides at the same time.
Miguel

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by ariel

Yes, there are kukris clearly marked with what we conveniently call " Mazar-i-Sharif" stamp. Likely, just a stamp of government property. They are from the very end of the 19th century, perhaps even beginning of the 20th.

Hi Ariel,
Thanks for the info, I never gave Afghanistan a thought with regard to this type of weapon. I am learning something new all the time on this forum.
Regards
Miguel

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by ariel

Yes, there are kukris clearly marked with what we conveniently call " Mazar-i-Sharif" stamp. Likely, just a stamp of government property. They are from the very end of the 19th century, perhaps even beginning of the 20th.

Hello Ariel,

Here is one of my examples of such a stamp. All the ones I have seen on kukris date from the early to mind 1890's.

Kind regards,

Chris

[Jens Nordlunde]

Miguel,
I promissed to show you the kukri formed daggers/swords from the south, and here they are.
http://www.frontline.in/static/html/...4251306500.htm

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Miguel,
I promissed to show you the kukri formed daggers/swords from the south, and here they are.
http://www.frontline.in/static/html/...4251306500.htm

Very interesting Jens, thank you!

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Miguel,
I promissed to show you the kukri formed daggers/swords from the south, and here they are.
http://www.frontline.in/static/html/...4251306500.htm

Hi Jens,

Thank you for such an interesting article it certainly makes you think. The history of India is fascinating and extremely complex and just as you think that you have found an answer you discover something else which takes you off on a different track.

I am fairly sure in my own mind that the Kukri form originated from India.
Miguel

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Miguel,

You are welcome. When it comes to the size of the daggers/swords, it is hard to say how long they were, and the men looks like dwarfs, but maybe that was the artistic style of the time.

The way I remember the text I once read, it went like this. 'About the 12th century the people of southeast India was beaten in a big battle, and as a consequence they moved to the north, and some to the Himmalaya area.'
The problem is, that I read this long ago, and I am not sure in which book I read it, but should I find the book and the sentence I will try to remember to let you know.

Yes the history of India is fascinating, but complicated, like you say. But you must not forget that India is a huge country, and not only that, it is a very huge country. To this comes that it was very rich, so other people found it most interesting to pay them a visit.

In an article I have read about some of the different forts in India from the 16th and 17th century, the author gives the awarage hight if the soldiers to about 170 cm. I am, however, not sure that the same measure can be used here.

Jens

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Miguel,

Hindu Arms and Ritual. Eburon Achademic Publishers, 2015. Page 83. Robert Elgood shows the attached and writes.

"Gana holding a sword. Mahishamardini cave Temple. Mamallapuram Pallava. Mid-seventh century.
Ganas were diminitive gods or attendants who served as arms bearers for the great gods. The square 'cussion' pommel, invariable made of wood in later examples, is already evident as is the forward curved blade which continues in use for centuries, the late form being the sosan pattah."

So not only does he show a very early example, but he also tells why the man is so small.

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Hi Miguel,

Hindu Arms and Ritual. Eburon Achademic Publishers, 2015. Page 83. Robert Elgood shows the attached and writes.

"Gana holding a sword. Mahishamardini cave Temple. Mamallapuram Pallava. Mid-seventh century.
Ganas were diminitive gods or attendants who served as arms bearers for the great gods. The square 'cussion' pommel, invariable made of wood in later examples, is already evident as is the forward curved blade which continues in use for centuries, the late form being the sosan pattah."

So not only does he show a very early example, but he also tells why the man is so small.

Hi Jens,

Fascinating, if that doesn't look like a Khukri nothing does, it convinces me even more that that the Khukri form originated from India. The image also reminded me of the Ayda Katti the weapon of the Coorgs (Kodava people) who, as you know, are in South West India. Apparently this weapon did not appear until the 17thC a century later than the oldest known Khukri which means that up to 10 centuries passed from the weapon shown on the carving to the finding of the Khukri. Thank you once again for sharing this information, it is most appreciated and keeps my appetite whetted.
Kind regards
Miguel

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

Hello Ariel,

Here is one of my examples of such a stamp. All the ones I have seen on kukris date from the early to mind 1890's.

Kind regards,

Chris

Hello Chris,

Interesting stamp but nothing like mine which, if all such stamps are similar to yours,makes me lean more towards India than Afghanistan.
Regards
Miguel