The Indian PATA and the mysterious MANOPLE

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 01:59 AM

Thank you guys for responses!
Ian this is excellent and as you indicate, mine is certainly not unique. This is encouraging as it supports the idea that these distinctively decorated hilts may be to a Garuda oriented warrior cult.

As suggested earlier, perhaps these hilts are paired with venerated blades, typically older, and possibly these blades were significant as having belonged to noted warriors (much as the monuments made for them).

Often the hilts can also be older, as this one which is 17-18th c. and much later blade.

In the case of this example, the figure depicted in the hilt is a makara, which was also associated as a vishnu of Garuda.

Yesterday, 01:59 AM	#15
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,851	Thank you guys for responses! Ian this is excellent and as you indicate, mine is certainly not unique. This is encouraging as it supports the idea that these distinctively decorated hilts may be to a Garuda oriented warrior cult. As suggested earlier, perhaps these hilts are paired with venerated blades, typically older, and possibly these blades were significant as having belonged to noted warriors (much as the monuments made for them). Often the hilts can also be older, as this one which is 17-18th c. and much later blade. In the case of this example, the figure depicted in the hilt is a makara, which was also associated as a vishnu of Garuda. Attached Images