Period Photos of People with Ethnographic Arms

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by estcrh

Here are two rare photographs, they show what was certainly among the very last of the mounted Indian warriors. I found the first photo awhile back, recently I ran into the second photo. These two photos were obviously meant to be seen together, they are labeled #38 and #39. I edited both photos and created a new image showing both side of this Indian warrior in one photo.

Indian warrior from Orchha. Mounted Indian warrior with a tulwar sword, wearing mail and plate armor (zirah bagtar), helmet (khula khud) and arm guards (dastana), he is holding a very long lance and there is a shield at his side.

Great photos! Thanks for sharing and editing.

I have a heavy duty Indian spear here of similar length.

I've often thought it was Mughal heavy cavalry, perhaps even Sri Lankan in origin as there are similarities to a very long old Sri Lankan lance here, however, I remain uncertain as the large one does not have the taper and POB like the one in the images.

Thanks again for sharing!