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					Originally Posted by shayde78
					
				 I wonder if an enterprising chap was inspired to invent the pata upon studying one of these. | 
	
 
Good observation Shayde! 
Actually the pata evolved from the hooded/gauntlet hilt katars of Vijayanagara in 16th century, and ironically Elgood (Hindu Arms and Ritual", 2004, p.257)notes that in the Tanjore Armoury (1860, #830) was a 'puttah',  double edged sword to be held in an elephants trunk. 
As I noted in my previous post, it is interesting that the channeling in the blade of the Royal Armouries example of 'tusk sword' bears a striking resemblance to the katar blades of 16th c. Vijayanagara. 
So your suggestion has most interesting associations 
 
attached Tanjore katar