Tulwar Hilted Kora

Jim McDougall · 17th December 2007, 04:05 AM

I have seen numerous discussions on the Nepalese kora, and in response to the suggestion that these were primarily ceremonial and sacrificial weapons, the answer was a resounding no, they were indeed used in battle. As I have noted, these heavy tulwar hilt examples from Bengal and Nepal border regions that were intended for sacrificial use typically had either the eye (of Kali) or sometimes a lotus, on the blade. This one has neither, but the interesting depiction of a royal figure, with what does look like a highly stylized kora. I think it might be presumed this was intended as a weapon, possibly for guards for a royal figure, this suggesting they would strike on behalf of that person if required. Naturally this is pure speculation but worth consideration.

Jens Nordlunde · 17th December 2007, 01:02 PM

Sorry folks, but what the ’king’ is holding in his hand is a boomerang.

If you have a look at Hindu Arms and Rituals you will see the attached on page 191 and others on page 192. Further more, in the Index page 306 you will see that Elgood mentions six different boomerangs used in India.

Jim McDougall · 17th December 2007, 04:32 PM

Ahah! The reference is revealed!!! Thank you Jens

Now that we know it indeed is a boomerang the strange kingly figure is holding, perhaps we might better assess what this particular kora was for.
In using the Elgood reference, he notes that the 'birudungi' was this South Indian form of boomerang with one end cut square, the other ending in a knob, as seen in the inscribed figure on the blade of the kora. There is also the suggestion that the Maravar were one tribal group using these, and formed the state of Sivaganga, the use of the thrown stick described c.1795.

While this kora seems later 19th century, perhaps it is inscribed recalling the traditions there, and was indeed referencing combat events. Elgood describes the kora further on p.252, "...the kora is generally described by modern writers as Nepalese but appears particularly associated with Bengal. A kora in the Kandy Museum , Sri Lanka, is said to be the weapon of the last royal executioner". The reference continues to p.238 where the term 'bughalee' becomes synonymous in 19th century with the kora, and the seven examples held in the Royal Danish Kunsthammer inventory from 1674, describing these as East Indian sabres.

Interestingly, the boomerang held by the 'king' has the widened end shaped with double concave tip, like the kora, rather than the straight end in the illustrated and described examples in Elgood. Perhaps associating the weapon with the kora, which apparantly was also an established weapon?

Brings to mind the question of development of the kora in Nepal, and whether that occurred from Southern India to the north.

All best regards,
Jim

Norman McCormick · 18th December 2007, 08:24 PM

Hello,
Having studied the 'king' figure there are a few points I would like to raise. On the depiction of the kora/boomerang the profile of the end of the blade is different in the engraving than on the Kora itself in fact it is different from any Kora I have seen, different enough I think to warrant a closer look. Were there boomerangs with this type of profile as it would appear from the post that the end of the boomerangs were straight and not curved, or perhaps there may have been boomerangs with a curved profile that we are not aware of. The pantaloon type garment worn by the 'king' figure, would that style of dress point to a particular area of origin or a particular group of people. At the end of the left hand are four dots and a shallow semicircle, this is obviously not meant to be a representation of a hand, is it an armoury,makers mark or an esoteric symbol or something else?
Looking forward to your observations.
Regards,
Norman.

olikara · 19th December 2007, 02:56 AM

Norman,

About the figure on the Kora, I think he is wearing leopard skin garments. Garments made of the skins of wild animals like leopards, cheetah(now extinct in India), tigers (very rarely lions as they are not colorful) were the common attire of warriors and holy men like someone who would do a ritual sacrifice in India. Very often a leopard, tiger skin would be draped over the normal attire. The upper body was usually bare while the lower body would be covered with a dhoti. These type of garments denoted the fierceness of the warriors and their valor in a hunt.

On his upper body we see 2 strings of bead ornaments. The larger one has a pendant hanging from it. They are very very commonly worn by religious Hindus in India and called 'Rudraksha Mala'. They are seeds from a holy tree. You can also see a larger dot on his belly which is his navel.

He has a typical Hindu amulet tied around his right upper arm.

Why should the item that the figure holds in one hand be a boomerang? Why can't it be a simple shield. Small shields like that are also known in India(I have seen many in Kerala).

As for the headgear why should one look at it as similar to a European crown? Indian tribals have hundreds of types of Head gear the most common ones being a string tied round their heads and adornments like peacock feathers, leaves, bamboo shoots, etc. inserted between the string and the haer. I think that this is the case here.

I was just looking in my own way at the figure.

Jens Nordlunde · 19th December 2007, 01:09 PM

Olikara, do you have a picture of such a shield?
Interesting what you write about his dress and ornaments.

olikara · 19th December 2007, 03:27 PM

Jens,
While I do not have any photographs of the smaller shields I have seen used in martial arts classes called 'Kalaris' in kerala, I know what they are called. They are called 'parichas'.

However I have only seen them used in kerala. How they came to Nepal, if at all so is a mystery.

Nidhi

katana · 19th December 2007, 03:30 PM

The two engravings seem to have been done by different people, probably at differing times. The parasol symbol also has the look of compound bow, drawn ....with arrow 'nocked' ready to 'loose'.

I wondered whether the figure is holding a small dhal in his left hand and if so, suggests a warrior......sacrifice would not require such 'protection'.

Was this Kora bought on eBay? If not, there was a very similar one for sale several months ago with the same or very similar engraving.

Regards David

17th December 2007, 01:02 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Sorry folks, but what the ’king’ is holding in his hand is a boomerang. If you have a look at Hindu Arms and Rituals you will see the attached on page 191 and others on page 192. Further more, in the Index page 306 you will see that Elgood mentions six different boomerangs used in India. Attached Images

19th December 2007, 02:56 AM	#5
olikara Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: India Posts: 101	Figure on the Kora Norman, About the figure on the Kora, I think he is wearing leopard skin garments. Garments made of the skins of wild animals like leopards, cheetah(now extinct in India), tigers (very rarely lions as they are not colorful) were the common attire of warriors and holy men like someone who would do a ritual sacrifice in India. Very often a leopard, tiger skin would be draped over the normal attire. The upper body was usually bare while the lower body would be covered with a dhoti. These type of garments denoted the fierceness of the warriors and their valor in a hunt. On his upper body we see 2 strings of bead ornaments. The larger one has a pendant hanging from it. They are very very commonly worn by religious Hindus in India and called 'Rudraksha Mala'. They are seeds from a holy tree. You can also see a larger dot on his belly which is his navel. He has a typical Hindu amulet tied around his right upper arm. Why should the item that the figure holds in one hand be a boomerang? Why can't it be a simple shield. Small shields like that are also known in India(I have seen many in Kerala). As for the headgear why should one look at it as similar to a European crown? Indian tribals have hundreds of types of Head gear the most common ones being a string tied round their heads and adornments like peacock feathers, leaves, bamboo shoots, etc. inserted between the string and the haer. I think that this is the case here. I was just looking in my own way at the figure. Last edited by olikara; 19th December 2007 at 03:20 AM. Reason: Added further details

19th December 2007, 03:27 PM	#7
olikara Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: India Posts: 101	Paricha Jens, While I do not have any photographs of the smaller shields I have seen used in martial arts classes called 'Kalaris' in kerala, I know what they are called. They are called 'parichas'. However I have only seen them used in kerala. How they came to Nepal, if at all so is a mystery. Nidhi

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17th December 2007, 04:05 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	I have seen numerous discussions on the Nepalese kora, and in response to the suggestion that these were primarily ceremonial and sacrificial weapons, the answer was a resounding no, they were indeed used in battle. As I have noted, these heavy tulwar hilt examples from Bengal and Nepal border regions that were intended for sacrificial use typically had either the eye (of Kali) or sometimes a lotus, on the blade. This one has neither, but the interesting depiction of a royal figure, with what does look like a highly stylized kora. I think it might be presumed this was intended as a weapon, possibly for guards for a royal figure, this suggesting they would strike on behalf of that person if required. Naturally this is pure speculation but worth consideration.

17th December 2007, 04:32 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Ahah! The reference is revealed!!! Thank you Jens Now that we know it indeed is a boomerang the strange kingly figure is holding, perhaps we might better assess what this particular kora was for. In using the Elgood reference, he notes that the 'birudungi' was this South Indian form of boomerang with one end cut square, the other ending in a knob, as seen in the inscribed figure on the blade of the kora. There is also the suggestion that the Maravar were one tribal group using these, and formed the state of Sivaganga, the use of the thrown stick described c.1795. While this kora seems later 19th century, perhaps it is inscribed recalling the traditions there, and was indeed referencing combat events. Elgood describes the kora further on p.252, "...the kora is generally described by modern writers as Nepalese but appears particularly associated with Bengal. A kora in the Kandy Museum , Sri Lanka, is said to be the weapon of the last royal executioner". The reference continues to p.238 where the term 'bughalee' becomes synonymous in 19th century with the kora, and the seven examples held in the Royal Danish Kunsthammer inventory from 1674, describing these as East Indian sabres. Interestingly, the boomerang held by the 'king' has the widened end shaped with double concave tip, like the kora, rather than the straight end in the illustrated and described examples in Elgood. Perhaps associating the weapon with the kora, which apparantly was also an established weapon? Brings to mind the question of development of the kora in Nepal, and whether that occurred from Southern India to the north. All best regards, Jim

18th December 2007, 08:24 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hello, Having studied the 'king' figure there are a few points I would like to raise. On the depiction of the kora/boomerang the profile of the end of the blade is different in the engraving than on the Kora itself in fact it is different from any Kora I have seen, different enough I think to warrant a closer look. Were there boomerangs with this type of profile as it would appear from the post that the end of the boomerangs were straight and not curved, or perhaps there may have been boomerangs with a curved profile that we are not aware of. The pantaloon type garment worn by the 'king' figure, would that style of dress point to a particular area of origin or a particular group of people. At the end of the left hand are four dots and a shallow semicircle, this is obviously not meant to be a representation of a hand, is it an armoury,makers mark or an esoteric symbol or something else? Looking forward to your observations. Regards, Norman.

19th December 2007, 01:09 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Olikara, do you have a picture of such a shield? Interesting what you write about his dress and ornaments.

19th December 2007, 03:30 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	The two engravings seem to have been done by different people, probably at differing times. The parasol symbol also has the look of compound bow, drawn ....with arrow 'nocked' ready to 'loose'. I wondered whether the figure is holding a small dhal in his left hand and if so, suggests a warrior......sacrifice would not require such 'protection'. Was this Kora bought on eBay? If not, there was a very similar one for sale several months ago with the same or very similar engraving. Regards David