Indo Persian "Cobra" Sword

katana · 17th May 2007, 12:36 AM

Very nice......I wonder how it would 'handle'.....would the widened blade near the hilt badly affect the balance? or enhance it?

Jens Nordlunde · 17th May 2007, 01:25 PM

This ’Cobra’ sword is, like you write, very rare, but it is not from NW India/Afghanistan, it is from Deccan. The Afghan influence on the hilt could be from the times, when Afghans ruled in Bengal and a one or two other states to the south. As a type, this sword goes back about four hundred years, maybe even longer.

Here is a picture of another one from an exhibition catalogue.

Jim McDougall · 19th May 2007, 03:01 PM

I agree with Jens, this example reflects of course the familiar paluoar form hilt of Afghanistan, however actually reflects influences of early Persian type hilts. The interesting decorative cowl that covers the upper blade to the hilt is similar to an example of Tibetan sword shown (if memory serves) in Donald LaRocca's "Gods of War" and probably appears in his new book on the weapons of Tibet. As Jens has pointed out, the weapons of the Deccan often carried features found in Bengal regions, where influences from Nepal and Tibet are also often found.

Best regards,
Jm

17th May 2007, 01:25 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	This ’Cobra’ sword is, like you write, very rare, but it is not from NW India/Afghanistan, it is from Deccan. The Afghan influence on the hilt could be from the times, when Afghans ruled in Bengal and a one or two other states to the south. As a type, this sword goes back about four hundred years, maybe even longer. Here is a picture of another one from an exhibition catalogue. Attached Images

17th May 2007, 12:36 AM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Very nice......I wonder how it would 'handle'.....would the widened blade near the hilt badly affect the balance? or enhance it?

19th May 2007, 03:01 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I agree with Jens, this example reflects of course the familiar paluoar form hilt of Afghanistan, however actually reflects influences of early Persian type hilts. The interesting decorative cowl that covers the upper blade to the hilt is similar to an example of Tibetan sword shown (if memory serves) in Donald LaRocca's "Gods of War" and probably appears in his new book on the weapons of Tibet. As Jens has pointed out, the weapons of the Deccan often carried features found in Bengal regions, where influences from Nepal and Tibet are also often found. Best regards, Jm