David,
It is mostly about trade blades, not clientele. Caucasian blades were popular in Arabia, and Arab regions which of course led into regions in India. It would be difficult to pinpoint the networks and entrepots in which these blades would reach the locations where these swords were mounted.
There were locations in India where blades were produced, and hilts were produced in other locations, with many in Rajasthan. Often these hilts were sent to other locations where locally favored decoration was applied, and blades mounted.
The study of Indian arms is complex, and as always there are many exceptions and variations, but in my experience most of these multi fuller blades seem to be either European or from Caucasian exports which often ended up going into Arab trade networks. In the 19th century Persian trade blades began to show up in these blade commodities. such as the noted 'Assad Adullah' examples .
Again, always exceptions, and the hollowed spine on the Mysori saber is intriguing.
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