Thread: Elephant swords
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Old 5th December 2018, 02:38 AM   #31
Jim McDougall
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Quote:
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


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