Very Early Scottish broadsword blade in Indian PATA

[Jim McDougall]

More to the soliloquy here,
Found a good reference, "The Tiger and the Thistle" about the Scots in India and Tipu Sultan.
I'll keep everyone posted when it arrives! The games afoot Watson!

[Jim McDougall]

According to some input on the other forum, this hilt with what appears some sort of representation of a lionhead? in the stylizing characteristic of much Indian art, and is believed to be associated with GARUDA, and the warrior cult of that Vishnu faction of the Hindu Faith and deities.

While the use of the pata (actually termed dandpatta) was well known in the martial traditions of the Mahrattas and demonstrations of sword skills known as mardani khel (dual use of these in almost windmill like gyrations), the use of them similarly in ceremonial functions extends into the southern regions as well.

It appears this gauntlet in this iconographic form may be associated with the Garuda cult and celebration of the ancient Hoysala warriors of the regions that became the Vijayanagara Empire.

The character of the hilt seems to be of sheet type alloy metal resembling that used in material culture in SE Asian contexts in Victorian times.

What is most interesting is this well venerated old broadsword blade, which appears of 17th century and the fullering corresponds to various known examples found in early Highland basket hilts. While the upper part of the blade is concealed by the riveted bolster, close examination reveals traces of the kinds of cosmological motif seen on blades of mid 17th century. We would expect to find flutes at the forte on either side of the dual central fullers.

It is tempting to presume that this blade, undoubtedly of the type made in Solingen for export to Scotland for their broadswords, might have come from the many Scots who went to India in the mid 18th century. After the disaster of the '45 at Culloden, many Scots found their way to India and the Americas, with numbers to East India Co. as well as many in the British Highland regiments. It must be remembered that not all Scots were Jacobites and were already aligned with Hanoverian rule. However, the character of this blade would be likely more Jacobite with its Highland character.

Whatever means the blade might have ended up to the south is unknown, but what is notable is the rugged manner in which it has been sharpened over what appears a notable length of time. This kind of process is something seen in native environments with the crude use of stones.
The blade therefore may have been in use with a native warrior in a local type of sword for some time, and thus well venerated in battle.

The use of such venerated blades in a votive or ceremonial sense is well established in these regions, and warriors are celebrated in viragal (monument) stones. Perhaps this old blade was placed in its current iconographic gauntlet in this sense.

Lastly, the presence of these early Solingen type blades is well known from early times already through trade, so may have come into India via that conduit as well,

[Triarii]

Karmically, I was at the Arms and Armour Society summer school at the Wallace Collection the other week and one of the handling objects was one of Tippu's swords. The inscription has been added and possibly the Tiger, as it was noted that its quite European in style.
Davinder Toor, who presented on Indian and Persian Arms and Armour (and also on the Katar), said that Pata blades were often flexible, though what that means for the one being discussed I don't know. Anyway, photos of Tippu's sword (top one, above the shamshirs).

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Triarii

Karmically, I was at the Arms and Armour Society summer school at the Wallace Collection the other week and one of the handling objects was one of Tippu's swords. The inscription has been added and possibly the Tiger, as it was noted that its quite European in style.
Davinder Toor, who presented on Indian and Persian Arms and Armour (and also on the Katar), said that Pata blades were often flexible, though what that means for the one being discussed I don't know. Anyway, photos of Tippu's sword (top one, above the shamshirs).

This is an absolutely wonderful entry!!! Thank you so much! The subject of Tipu is fascinating, and my friend Nidhi Olikara has studied this topic for many years and is well published on the subject. As he is situated in Mysore, he has some great resources.

I personally think this example is with a very old and venerated blade, now mounted in more of a votive fashion, so the flexibility not to account. You are right though, flexibility in the pata blade would be key, as these were slashing weapons, not for the thrust. In most accounts of Indian swordsmanship, the thrust was not even thought of.'

Thank you so much for answering here! It means a lot.

Best regards
Jim

[Jim McDougall]

As noted, the Scots were well present in India, and the basket hilt form present in many circumstances, particularly militarily of course. One instance of profound influence has always come to mind was to the north in the latter 19th century.

In research years ago on one of the paramilitary levees in Afghan regions, The Khyber Rifles, I was surprised with some of the photos I received from sources.
In Afghanistan the British military influence was notable, especially from the Scottish regiments, and Afghan forces adopted elements of their uniforms and weaponry. There are images of the Highland kilt and other uniform items.

This is one of the commanding officers of the Khyber Rifles in latter 19th c. proudly with a Scottish basket hilt. It seems I have seen at least one other such image but cannot recall if same officer or if another, possibly there was some convention of Afghan native officers wearing basket hilts.

While obviously far north and much later than the case with the Indian pata originally posted, the point is recognizing the presence of Scots in India from 18th century, and of course the swords they had, notably the basket hilt.

German blades were very highly favored in India, and particularly in areas to the south from Deccan to Mysore, where the pata was well established. While the basket hilt form itself was not particularly adopted in India except the Afghan cases of the next century it is highly probable this old, clearly German blade, came FROM a basket hilt and was used in this pata as noted earlier.

[urbanspaceman]

It is hard to tell for sure if this is a curved blade but it is certainly a basket hilt.

[urbanspaceman]

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

It is hard to tell for sure if this is a curved blade but it is certainly a basket hilt.
Attachment 246707

Good note Keith, on the sidearm on this figure appears to be an Afghan paluaor.
I did not note on the commanders basket hilt, it does have a curved blade, which if in Scottish parlance, would be termed 'turcael'.