Moplah

[KuKulzA28]

Seems like the Moplah's blade would have a similar usage as the Chinese Da-dao... with single and dual handed capability depending on the handle and heavy chopping power due to the push-pull mechanics. Was the Moplah sword ever a work knife/tool? Also was the Ayda-katti a jungle-clearing/survival tool in addition to being a fearsome weapon?

[Mel H]

Interested to see the picture of the Ayda Katti posted by Jens in this old thread, I thought some may be interested is seeing a picture of the TODUNGA used to carry the sword and was worn across the shoulders. They seem to be less seen than the swords.
There is a story that tells of a rebellion by the Coorg which resulted in the death of the local British dignitary, after which all of the Ayda Katti were confiscated from the local natives then dumped in the sea.
M.H.

[Jens Nordlunde]

The Aydha Katthi is a rare weapon to find, but the Todunga is even rarer. Thank you for showing.
I have two Aydha Katthis from two different rulers of Coorg, both are shown in my catalogue 'A Passion for Indian Arms'. In The Journal of The Arms and Armour Society.UK. Vol. XXII. No 4, September 2017 Nidhin Olikara has written an article about the markings on some of the blades, telling how you can see which rulers mark it is.

The weapons dumped at see were not only Aydha Katthis, but any kind of weapon, and to this comes, that it was about 17000 weapons.

[Mel H]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

The Aydha Katthi is a rare weapon to find, but the Todunga is even rarer. Thank you for showing.
I have two Aydha Katthis from two different rulers of Coorg, both are shown in my catalogue 'A Passion for Indian Arms'. In The Journal of The Arms and Armour Society.UK. Vol. XXII. No 4, September 2017 Nidhin Olikara has written an article about the markings on some of the blades, telling how you can see which rulers mark it is.

The weapons dumped at see were not only Aydha Katthis, but any kind of weapon, and to this comes, that it was about 17000 weapons.

I've added a couple more pic's that may give a better perspective. The slot that the blade passes through is quite large, to allow the blade to pass through, but it occurs to me that once in position the knife would hang rather loosely.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

The Aydha Katthi is a rare weapon to find, but the Todunga is even rarer. Thank you for showing.
I have two Aydha Katthis from two different rulers of Coorg, both are shown in my catalogue 'A Passion for Indian Arms'. In The Journal of The Arms and Armour Society.UK. Vol. XXII. No 4, September 2017 Nidhin Olikara has written an article about the markings on some of the blades, telling how you can see which rulers mark it is.

The weapons dumped at see were not only Aydha Katthis, but any kind of weapon, and to this comes, that it was about 17000 weapons.

Yes indeed they dropped a whole lot into the sea...The local British administration confiscated all arms, seizing 17,295 weapons of which 7,503 were guns. The Madras Museum selected a few of the better examples and the remainder were dumped into the sea.
(Elgood, 1995, p. 185)

[Jens Nordlunde]

Mel, thank you for showing close ups of the Todunga, it seems to be in a very fine condition. I am glad it is in a private collection and taken good care of.

What do you collect? Only Indian, or is your collection broader?

Ibrahiim, thank you for the correct number of weapons dumped at sea. A lot of the weapons collected were, no doubt, quite simple but to the owner valuable.
On the other hand, chopping up an English magistrate on his own verandah would have made the English react.

[Mel H]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Mel, thank you for showing close ups of the Todunga, it seems to be in a very fine condition. I am glad it is in a private collection and taken good care of.

What do you collect? Only Indian, or is your collection broader?

Ibrahiim, thank you for the correct number of weapons dumped at sea. A lot of the weapons collected were, no doubt, quite simple but to the owner valuable.
On the other hand, chopping up an English magistrate on his own verandah would have made the English react.

Hello Jens, my tastes are eclectic I collect all sorts of interesting things. I've long had an interest In almost anything relating to antique arms and armour of all kinds, antique and vintage airguns, knives, bayonets etc.
Georgian swords, particularly smallswords, are my main interest
Mel.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Mel,
Fifty years ago I started to collect Russian Shasquas, North Afracan Nimshas and Indian weapons, but after a while I ended up collecting only Indian.