Ariel,
Interesting note concerning the Indian regard for the hilt above the blade. I would very much like to know the reference for this, but I would imagine it would have to do with the monumental symbolism often imbued in the elements and motif of the hilts.
I would suspect that Pant would have been the source, though I do not have access to the book at present. Rawson's focus was on blade typology, so I rather doubt the implication would have been made by him.
All best regards,
Jim
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