Memorial/Hero stones

Jens Nordlunde · 17th September 2018, 03:29 PM

I have just seen that Hero stones were used in India from BC 3rd to AD 18th century - which is a very long span of time.

Ian · 17th September 2018, 03:38 PM

Jens,

I think the erection of stones commemorating fallen Rajput heroes in Gujarat may have continued into the 19th century CE. The ones with which I have some familiarity were originally erected at the site where the warrior was killed. Much later they were collected and transported to the rajah's mausoleum where they lie today. Present relatives of the fallen heroes still adorn some of these with paint, and some have recent gilt work.

Ian

Jens Nordlunde · 18th September 2018, 04:43 PM

Ian,

I am not surprised, but I was surprised that these stones went back so far.
They are really worth a study to see the old weapon forms, and where they were used.
Like the kukri formed daggers, and the forward curved swords, which were obviously used in the south earlier, but not for centuries.
Maybe Baden Powell has a point when he writes that some of the weapons were used for cutting the jungle as well. Later when they got more 'specialised' they had weapons for cutting the jungle, and others for war.
But why the kukri dissapeared from the south, but survived in the north - Nepal, is a big question.

Jens

Jim McDougall · 18th September 2018, 05:42 PM

Jens,
This is a fascinating topic and while not always conducive to weapon study per se' it does represent well the warriors who used these arms in battle. In many cases, particularly it seems in India, the iconography on many stones does have depictions of certain arms and sets a time frame of course for the form.
I think the only caution might be if the stone has been added at a later time in commemoration using then current forms....the possibilities and variations abound.

Having said that, and admittedly not directly pertinent to the intended theme, I would note that it seems virtually all cultures in some way have so honored their warriors, and comes to mind our Viet Nam memorial and many other such monuments to fallen heroes of all wars across our country.

Ian · 18th September 2018, 06:20 PM

Hi Jim,

Good to hear from you! I agree there are pitfalls in examining the weapons depicted on statuary and monuments. The Indian culture, in particular, lends itself to studying these artifacts. I've been trying to find a translator of the stones in Gujarat for some time. Perhaps there is a member here who could help.

Ian.

17th September 2018, 03:29 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I have just seen that Hero stones were used in India from BC 3rd to AD 18th century - which is a very long span of time.

17th September 2018, 03:38 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Jens, I think the erection of stones commemorating fallen Rajput heroes in Gujarat may have continued into the 19th century CE. The ones with which I have some familiarity were originally erected at the site where the warrior was killed. Much later they were collected and transported to the rajah's mausoleum where they lie today. Present relatives of the fallen heroes still adorn some of these with paint, and some have recent gilt work. Ian

18th September 2018, 04:43 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ian, I am not surprised, but I was surprised that these stones went back so far. They are really worth a study to see the old weapon forms, and where they were used. Like the kukri formed daggers, and the forward curved swords, which were obviously used in the south earlier, but not for centuries. Maybe Baden Powell has a point when he writes that some of the weapons were used for cutting the jungle as well. Later when they got more 'specialised' they had weapons for cutting the jungle, and others for war. But why the kukri dissapeared from the south, but survived in the north - Nepal, is a big question. Jens

18th September 2018, 05:42 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	Jens, This is a fascinating topic and while not always conducive to weapon study per se' it does represent well the warriors who used these arms in battle. In many cases, particularly it seems in India, the iconography on many stones does have depictions of certain arms and sets a time frame of course for the form. I think the only caution might be if the stone has been added at a later time in commemoration using then current forms....the possibilities and variations abound. Having said that, and admittedly not directly pertinent to the intended theme, I would note that it seems virtually all cultures in some way have so honored their warriors, and comes to mind our Viet Nam memorial and many other such monuments to fallen heroes of all wars across our country.

18th September 2018, 06:20 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Jim, Good to hear from you! I agree there are pitfalls in examining the weapons depicted on statuary and monuments. The Indian culture, in particular, lends itself to studying these artifacts. I've been trying to find a translator of the stones in Gujarat for some time. Perhaps there is a member here who could help. Ian.