The Indian PATA and the mysterious MANOPLE

[Jim McDougall]

For those still with me, the 'manople' is the curious 'Moorish boarding weapon' with unusual trident like appendages extending from the bottom of the gauntlet hilt. As noted, this is the term used by A.F.Calvert in the captions in his 1907 book "Spanish Arms and Armor" and virtually the singular source for the use of this term (Sp.; Port.=gauntlet, glove).
Subsequent works have rarely parroted the term.

As indicated in OP, an uncited source shows a plate with one of these among a panoply of edged weapons, and suggests it is the only photo of one of these rare weapons, which is suggested to have perished in an 1884 fire in the Royal Armory at Madrid.

While this reference is with the equally mysterious content of entries regarding various fantasy weapons which it has apparently inspired, such as 'Dungeons and Dragons" etc. the photo and historic interest in this weapon is not diminished.

In research, including looking into a first edition of the Calvert reference (1907), I noticed that the photo plate online was entirely different than that in the plate (193) with the item number still 1562. However the term 'manople' does not appear....the caption reads 'MOORISH BOARDING GAUNTLET 14TH TO 15TH CENTURY'.
Another Moorish boarding weapon of 15th century is also present, but unclear which item is being referred to as items in photo are not numbered .

The fire in 1884 did not destroy the entire armory, and was rebuilt with reopening in 1893 with new catalog in 1898 (Count Viudo of Valencia de Don Juan). According to Calvert the photo plates (which comprise over half his book) were primarily 'calotype' (phototype) by Oscar Hauser & Adolfo Menet who operated a photography business in Madrid 1890-1979.

Presumably this firm was the source of the over 200 plates in Calvert in 1907 as they all seem of the same style and composure.

Interestingly, returning to the subject plate initiated this query (image 1) and which is unfortunately (often the case) uncited.......compare this image of the 'manople' with the plate in the original Calvert reference of 1907. It appears different in size witb one more like a full size sword, the other like a large katar. Also, importantly, the weapons in each plate are totally different, suggesting the images are from different times.

Was the first photo from earlier? but by same photographers ? NOTE: the bordering and format is the same in the Calvert (1907) reference, but aside from the gauntlet weapon, different subject items.

If earlier, it would seem unlikely it was pre 1884 as the format etc, is identical to the 1907 published plates, and the catalog number is the same...if items were lost in that fire, there would be notable renumbering.

So the question is, WAS this weapon actually lost? and clearly NOT the ONLY surviving record of this weapon ? Obviously the Indian gauntlet sword is the well known form which is the source for this weapon......and further the mysterious example in the online hyperbole was probably not lost as suggested.

How did this weapon end up in the Royal Armory at Madrid?
The armory itself was the creation of Charles V and his son Philip II through the 16th century, mostly comprising regal arms and armor and historic and diplomatic arms, primarily it seems armor. By the 17th century the collections were enriched with military and personal family items as well as diplomatic gifts.The entry of these kinds of items increased via the House of Bourbon notably by mid 18th c.

The Portuguese were well situated in India in Goa, and on the west coast. In these waters the Maratha were a well established maritime power, and were also well known for early use of the GAUNTLET SWORD (pata) in early centuries into 17th and 18th. The sea powers and trade along these coastal regions also later included Mughals and the Malabar coast was keenly Muslim (Moorish).

It is not hard to conceive that these gauntlet weapons would have been used by crews aboard Indian vessels, whether Maratha (Hindu) or Mughal (Moor) in the 17th century or earlier and later. The trade routes and ports would bring Portuguese ships to Goa as well as the various pirate predators into these lucrative networks.

I would suspect that the Moorish items in the Spanish holdings likely came through trade and other contacts with these Indian regions, which in turn might well have ended up via Portuguese contact in Spain. Spain itself was largely 'Moorish' in the SE until 1492.

So it would seem our MANOPLE is actually a variant form of pata or katar and likely might indeed have been used as a 'boarding weapon'.

Fig 1: the uncited online reference, probably from Calvert related source" ? later edition?
Fig. 2: Plate from original Calvert 1st edition 1907, plate 193, fig. 1562

[Jim McDougall]

Returning to the example pata of the original post. This example was acquired from a well known dealer, collector who was a most unusual character, and his acquired holdings and holding were almost legendary in the arms circles of the times nearly 50 years ago.

I knew little in those days on Indian swords, but this thing was compelling!
In ensuing years I learned more of course, but knew this humble example paled next to the amazing examples I saw posted through the years.

However, in looking at it now, through very different eyes, with at least nominally more knowledge, I realize there is far more to this weapon than I had previously realized.
It appears to me that the blade is European, most likely German (Solingen) and of early to mid 18th c. Though the triple central fullers remind me of the familiar broadsword blades found in Sudanese kaskaras of the 19th c. We know that huge volumes of these blades from Germany were coming into the North African sphere from 1830s onward. It is believed that many were actually produced by Solingen later in the 19th specifically to the markets in Sudan.

With this blade however, I once thought it was in fact a kaskara blade, which had somehow ended up in a traditional pata type hilt later in 19th c. likely for ceremonial martial arts ritual and performance by Maratha men.
After seeing this sword again after many years, I think this was likely a German blade which ended up in probably an Indian firangi at some point in the 18th c. I could not see why a well worn kaskara blade would end up in India, also the central fuller extends virtually the full length of the blade. While obviously some kaskaras have this, these seem typically European.

It seems by the irregular edges of the blade, well worn by vigorous sharpening by individuals using stones rather than sharpening properly by armorers with proper equipment. IMO this suggests actual use in the native element and over considerable time. The astral symbols, typically sun, moon, star etc were at the forte, only traces can be seen, mostly obscured by the bolsters riveted to the blade.

[Ian]

Jim,

Your pata seems a little unusual in orientation to me. The grip and forearm protection appear to be at a distinct angle to the orientation of the blade. If the blade tip pointed upward when held, it would appear to have been made for a left-handed person. If the tip pointed down, then a right-handed person. What do you think?

Also, the smiling moustachioed face on the guard is a representation that I have seen during my travels in Ghujarat (NW India). Perhaps it is more widely distributed also. The round face was depicted on a palace gate as the Sun with the face of a Rhajput warrior.

Ian.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much Ian! I was afraid I'd be solo here, I know this stuff is a bit esoteric and not much interest in Indian arms since Jens left.

Very astute observations, and honestly I had not thought of. Actually I thought the canted blade was just lousy mounting job. I also never noticed the lines which indeed might suggest facial hair. The face reminds me of a Buddha.
There were other suggestions of the Indian pantheon it seems some years ago.
I cant tell what this type of metal is, but seems like a bronze/copper ? alloy.

What you note on the Rajputs makes sense, as their clans focus a lot on sun oriented symbolism. I really appreciate this Ian, gives me whole new perspective on this, which I like better than the ideas I had resolved to from further south.

[Jim McDougall]

In the Stone reference, there is a three way view of the 'manople' and he notes as his reference the catalog of the Royal Armory in c.1840, by A. Jubinal.

[Mercenary]

Jim, thank you, you are right, this object is from a "living" culture and was used as a weapon in traditional martial arts. And if the handle is new (19th-20th centuries), then the blade, as you pointed out, has a much longer and more complicated history.
The pata sword was not only a weapon of the Marathas, but much more often a weapon of their opponents: the principalities of Rajasthan and the sultanates of the Deccan, and was also used throughout the rest of India.
I was interested not so much in the "face" on the handle (usually it is either a stylized image of a tiger or a person; in the case of a tiger, these would be the animal's ears, and in the case of a person - mustache or a third eye), as in the image of Garuda. This is a rarity in medieval and modern India - the cult of Garuda is more common in Nepal and Southeast Asia. This allows us to localize your object in South India, where the cult of Garuda has survived to this day as part of the Vaishnavism tradition. And this cult is directly connected with the warrior traditions, although to a lesser extent than the cult of Hanuman: in the South Indian kingdom of Hoysala there was a group of the bravest warriors, especially devoted to the ruler, who were called the Garuda warriors (Garuda served Vishnu as his vahana, so these warriors served the king).
Thank you for sharing this unusual item!

[Jim McDougall]

Mercenary, thank you so very much for such valuable input! I know from years of reading your posts you are incredibly well versed in these arms and the complex cultures they are from.
As I have noted, this unusual pata is among the number of swords I have acquired through lifetime, and now part of sort of 'bucket list' to try to close their cases and finally determine what they are exactly.

As you note this is an unusual item used in traditional martial arts, but in more of a ceremonial sense I believe, as it is not substantial enough to serve as an actual weapon. I am so glad you pointed out the image of Garuda, which I honestly would not have recognized even if I had noticed it. As I am totally uninitiated in the incredibly complex theology of these Indian religions, I am grateful for your adding this.

If I understand correctly, this pata may be associated with the cult of Garuda in Hoysala, so then the martial demonstrations or ceremonies might have used weapons such as this?

The celebration of warriors is well represented in the areas of Hoysala as seen in temples and warrior stones seen through its regions. Perhaps then this very old blade possibly might be a venerated old blade that has been remounted for use with this recognition?