Ulwar and its Art Treasures

Jens Nordlunde · 12th October 2015, 02:27 PM

In Ulwar and its Art Treasurers Hendley writes, in the text to a sword shown on plate XXXIII and XXXV. Published in 1888.
"Total cost of the sword was Rs. 8000, the blade Rs. 7600 and the hilt Rs. 400." I thought something must be wrong, as all the other swords he had referred to did not cost that much. The total price must have been about Rs. 1000. Total price Rs. 1000, blade Rs. 600 and hilt Rs. 400 – this would fit with the other prices he had given.
This does not mean that the rulers did not have swords costing Rs. 8000 or 10000 when studded with gems - but from the look at it it was too obvious that Rs. 8000 was too much.

My point is, that even authors living in India at the time these weapons were made and used, can have made mistakes, and if later authors copy/quote the text, without trying to check it as well as possible. This author will start the journey of an error. If an error is repeated enough times - we all know how it ends.
With this said - try once more to say - the written word is sharper than a sword :-).
Jens

12th October 2015, 02:27 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ulwar and its Art Treasures In Ulwar and its Art Treasurers Hendley writes, in the text to a sword shown on plate XXXIII and XXXV. Published in 1888. "Total cost of the sword was Rs. 8000, the blade Rs. 7600 and the hilt Rs. 400." I thought something must be wrong, as all the other swords he had referred to did not cost that much. The total price must have been about Rs. 1000. Total price Rs. 1000, blade Rs. 600 and hilt Rs. 400 – this would fit with the other prices he had given. This does not mean that the rulers did not have swords costing Rs. 8000 or 10000 when studded with gems - but from the look at it it was too obvious that Rs. 8000 was too much. My point is, that even authors living in India at the time these weapons were made and used, can have made mistakes, and if later authors copy/quote the text, without trying to check it as well as possible. This author will start the journey of an error. If an error is repeated enough times - we all know how it ends. With this said - try once more to say - the written word is sharper than a sword :-). Jens Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 12th October 2015 at 03:00 PM.