A pair of basket hilted Firangis

Jim McDougall · 6th February 2006, 06:56 AM

Interesting examples of the 'Hindu basket hilt' commonly referred to as the 'khanda', only phirangi if mounted with European or foreign blade (the term refers more specifically to 'Portuguese'). These I would presume to be more northern examples, quite possibly Rajput and possibly even more likely Sikh. These are the swords in form that are held sacred in the Sikh faith and it would seem such representative examples may have been used in the Khalsa, however I am under the impression the sword must be double edged and these do not appear so, which would probably invalidate that theory. Possibly anyone more well versed in the Sikh faith could elaborate on that.

The first example is quite more distinct, although I tend to think the blade may be Indian. The marking is not actually an armourers mark but an interpretation of the well known 'sickle' marks which evolved from early Italian marks later widely copied on trade blades. These marks are commonly found on Afghan paluoars and other sword blades in northern Indian regions, but not as much it seems to the south.
It is hard to say the age of the first example, but the second seems much more stylized and seemingly more recent. I am inclined to consider 19th c. for both as trying to guage from photos only.
Best regards,
Jim

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6th February 2006, 06:56 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,299	Interesting examples of the 'Hindu basket hilt' commonly referred to as the 'khanda', only phirangi if mounted with European or foreign blade (the term refers more specifically to 'Portuguese'). These I would presume to be more northern examples, quite possibly Rajput and possibly even more likely Sikh. These are the swords in form that are held sacred in the Sikh faith and it would seem such representative examples may have been used in the Khalsa, however I am under the impression the sword must be double edged and these do not appear so, which would probably invalidate that theory. Possibly anyone more well versed in the Sikh faith could elaborate on that. The first example is quite more distinct, although I tend to think the blade may be Indian. The marking is not actually an armourers mark but an interpretation of the well known 'sickle' marks which evolved from early Italian marks later widely copied on trade blades. These marks are commonly found on Afghan paluoars and other sword blades in northern Indian regions, but not as much it seems to the south. It is hard to say the age of the first example, but the second seems much more stylized and seemingly more recent. I am inclined to consider 19th c. for both as trying to guage from photos only. Best regards, Jim