The Indian PATA and the mysterious MANOPLE

Mercenary · 1st June 2025, 01:36 PM

It is very possible. Usually in akhara, kalari, festivals and ceremonies any weapon made recently and even from aluminum or something else is used. So in the case of your sword, such a combination of a real (not flexible, like most modern pata) and "very ancient" blade from the point of view of its owners in the 19th-20th centuries, and a handle with the image of Garuda may not be accidental. The image of Garuda is not just a decoration, especially on a simple weapon made not for sale, but for martial arts or fests. It is a sign, a symbol. It means that there was a semantic connection between the martial traditions and the cult of Garuda in this region for hundreds of years, which in turn means that your pata also comes from a warrior culture, regardless of when it was made. The main thing is that it lived in this culture. Not every item in our collections can boast of this.

P.S. That is why we are interested in Indian culture, where nothing had disappeared without a trace. Even for 5000 years.

Jim McDougall · 1st June 2025, 03:55 PM

That is a wonderful perception of exactly how we SHOULD approach the study of Indian arms and for that matter all material culture. In the dynamics of their Faith, the culture is vibrant, living and essentially timeless.

When Robert Elgood was writing "Hindu Arms & Ritual" in 2004, he addressed many aspects of this in perspectives not typically seen in references on Indian arms. He had concerns that perhaps this approach was too 'deep' but as we agreed it was exactly the way we should be studying these arms.

Again, I thank you for detailing these elements of this most important view into this fascinating culture.....above all having new appreciation for this wonderful old pata, knowing it served in such a profound way in it.

1st June 2025, 01:36 PM	#1
Mercenary Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 428	It is very possible. Usually in akhara, kalari, festivals and ceremonies any weapon made recently and even from aluminum or something else is used. So in the case of your sword, such a combination of a real (not flexible, like most modern pata) and "very ancient" blade from the point of view of its owners in the 19th-20th centuries, and a handle with the image of Garuda may not be accidental. The image of Garuda is not just a decoration, especially on a simple weapon made not for sale, but for martial arts or fests. It is a sign, a symbol. It means that there was a semantic connection between the martial traditions and the cult of Garuda in this region for hundreds of years, which in turn means that your pata also comes from a warrior culture, regardless of when it was made. The main thing is that it lived in this culture. Not every item in our collections can boast of this. P.S. That is why we are interested in Indian culture, where nothing had disappeared without a trace. Even for 5000 years. Attached Images

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1st June 2025, 03:55 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,454	That is a wonderful perception of exactly how we SHOULD approach the study of Indian arms and for that matter all material culture. In the dynamics of their Faith, the culture is vibrant, living and essentially timeless. When Robert Elgood was writing "Hindu Arms & Ritual" in 2004, he addressed many aspects of this in perspectives not typically seen in references on Indian arms. He had concerns that perhaps this approach was too 'deep' but as we agreed it was exactly the way we should be studying these arms. Again, I thank you for detailing these elements of this most important view into this fascinating culture.....above all having new appreciation for this wonderful old pata, knowing it served in such a profound way in it.