An unusual Nepalese sword for comments

rumpel9 · 14th July 2018, 12:52 PM

Hi folks.
Some time ago I bought an unusual saber. The shape of the handle is associated with Nepal or North India. However, I have never met such a saber before. The blade is quite heavy and sharp. I can assume that the saber was made at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. What is your opinion about the saber?

Jens Nordlunde · 14th July 2018, 04:31 PM

I have lightend two of the pictures a bit.

Battara · 14th July 2018, 04:42 PM

Rare too see one of these, especially with a compete scabbard!

kronckew · 14th July 2018, 06:27 PM

Looks like a good Nepali Tarwar, they still make them, tho less curved and usually with a khukuri type grip rather than the talwar style...Kind of a generic Himalayan dao. They're still popular in some quarters.

rumpel9 · 15th July 2018, 07:41 PM

Thank you for your opinion.
I can assume that the old hilt was put on a later blade. The blade is quite simple, blades of this quality in Nepal are usually used not only as a weapon, but also as a utilitarian tool or weapon for slaughtering cattle.

kronckew · 15th July 2018, 08:41 PM

Nepalis are in general, Hindu and do not sacrifice bovine cattle. They DO sacrifice and eat water buffalo and other non-divine species. They use khukuris, ramdao and kora. I've not heard of a tarwar being so used, but it's possible I guess.

The tradition is that the person chosen to conduct the sacrifice must behead the buffalo in one blow to ensure good luck and bountiful crops for the following year. If he does not, there will be bad luck for the year and he will be shunned until at least the next sacrifice. the khukuris used are generally larger and heavier than those used by Gurkhas in combat. I am not familiar with the slaughtering of buffalo in non-religious contexts tho. It's a low caste occupation relegated to the 'untouchables' or service castes.

ariel · 16th July 2018, 11:02 AM

Elgood mentions ritual beheading of a buffalo at weddings: groom’s responsibility. His friends did their best to fail him, to the point of inserting iron rods under the buffalo’s skin: a local version of comradely humor.

Also, there was a particularly strong historical figure who perfected the technique by performing an upward stroke: that was his claim to eternal fame.

Jens Nordlunde · 29th July 2018, 02:20 PM

Young noblemen trained on a wet clay block, till they had the power to behead an animal.

14th July 2018, 12:52 PM	#1
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	An unusual Nepalese sword for comments Hi folks. Some time ago I bought an unusual saber. The shape of the handle is associated with Nepal or North India. However, I have never met such a saber before. The blade is quite heavy and sharp. I can assume that the saber was made at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. What is your opinion about the saber? Attached Images

14th July 2018, 04:31 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I have lightend two of the pictures a bit. Attached Images

14th July 2018, 06:27 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	Looks like a good Nepali Tarwar, they still make them, tho less curved and usually with a khukuri type grip rather than the talwar style...Kind of a generic Himalayan dao. They're still popular in some quarters. Attached Images

15th July 2018, 07:41 PM	#5
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	Thank you for your opinion. I can assume that the old hilt was put on a later blade. The blade is quite simple, blades of this quality in Nepal are usually used not only as a weapon, but also as a utilitarian tool or weapon for slaughtering cattle. Attached Images

14th July 2018, 04:42 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Rare too see one of these, especially with a compete scabbard!

15th July 2018, 08:41 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	Nepalis are in general, Hindu and do not sacrifice bovine cattle. They DO sacrifice and eat water buffalo and other non-divine species. They use khukuris, ramdao and kora. I've not heard of a tarwar being so used, but it's possible I guess. The tradition is that the person chosen to conduct the sacrifice must behead the buffalo in one blow to ensure good luck and bountiful crops for the following year. If he does not, there will be bad luck for the year and he will be shunned until at least the next sacrifice. the khukuris used are generally larger and heavier than those used by Gurkhas in combat. I am not familiar with the slaughtering of buffalo in non-religious contexts tho. It's a low caste occupation relegated to the 'untouchables' or service castes.

16th July 2018, 11:02 AM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Elgood mentions ritual beheading of a buffalo at weddings: groom’s responsibility. His friends did their best to fail him, to the point of inserting iron rods under the buffalo’s skin: a local version of comradely humor. Also, there was a particularly strong historical figure who perfected the technique by performing an upward stroke: that was his claim to eternal fame.

29th July 2018, 02:20 PM	#8
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Young noblemen trained on a wet clay block, till they had the power to behead an animal.