Tulwar hilts made of silver

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2012, 10:14 PM

Thank you Jens, it really is unusual and makes me think of the solar or lunar symbols used in Rajput and Sikh symbolism. I was thinking of the Sikh headdress which is conelike and decorated with chakra and devices more like crescents.
Perhaps someone out there might offer some thoughts for such an unusual device in place of the usual langets, maybe the Sikh readers may have some insight. While it is a Mughal blade, possibly remounted in Sikh or Rajput hilt?

olikara · 28th July 2012, 05:58 PM

The langet reminds me of the Shiite Alams carried during the Moharram processions in India. Have attached a picture of some alams from Hyderabad in the Deccan. But again, these flags/symbols (alams) were and are still used all over the subcontinent.

ariel · 28th July 2012, 06:37 PM

This handle looks like my favorite kind of turkish decor: plain silver. Simple, elegant, no curlicues and crenellations. Perfect.
BTW, I am ready to drop by and check your storage closets. Finder's keepers:-)

Jim McDougall · 29th July 2012, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olikara

The langet reminds me of the Shiite Alams carried during the Moharram processions in India. Have attached a picture of some alams from Hyderabad in the Deccan. But again, these flags/symbols (alams) were and are still used all over the subcontinent.

Excellent comparison Nidhi! and the Sh'ia influences in Mughal courts would seem likely to produce this subtly appointed silvered tulwar, but still wondering what symbolism may be represented in the balanced orb.
As has been noted, most tulwars seem to have similar langet shapes which may reflect architectural features, and some have the simple elongated and squared style, but as far as I know this one is a singular example.

Jens Nordlunde · 26th December 2015, 04:48 PM

Jim, yes it is - as far as I know. I have never seen a tulwar with such a laget ending before.

Enibas, there are other silver hilted tulwars, and some of the form a group, but I have yet to research this group, and it seems as if it could be difficult.

Jens

ASingh · 28th December 2015, 09:02 AM

Hi,
I have attached some images of two silver hilts on Indian swords.
The first is on a shamshere blade, and the hilt is carved out of solid silver. It ends with a lion's head with the tail of a cobra in its mouth. It has recently been gilded in the traditional 'mullamma' process in Benaras. I unfortunately don't have an image of the blade with me presently.
The second is a tulwar and seems to have a thick plating of silver on the iron hilt.
Thanks and best wishes,
ASingh

28th July 2012, 05:58 PM	#2
olikara Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: India Posts: 101	The langet reminds me of the Shiite Alams carried during the Moharram processions in India. Have attached a picture of some alams from Hyderabad in the Deccan. But again, these flags/symbols (alams) were and are still used all over the subcontinent. Attached Images

28th December 2015, 09:02 AM	#6
ASingh Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: India Posts: 10	Hi, I have attached some images of two silver hilts on Indian swords. The first is on a shamshere blade, and the hilt is carved out of solid silver. It ends with a lion's head with the tail of a cobra in its mouth. It has recently been gilded in the traditional 'mullamma' process in Benaras. I unfortunately don't have an image of the blade with me presently. The second is a tulwar and seems to have a thick plating of silver on the iron hilt. Thanks and best wishes, ASingh Attached Images

25th July 2012, 10:14 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Thank you Jens, it really is unusual and makes me think of the solar or lunar symbols used in Rajput and Sikh symbolism. I was thinking of the Sikh headdress which is conelike and decorated with chakra and devices more like crescents. Perhaps someone out there might offer some thoughts for such an unusual device in place of the usual langets, maybe the Sikh readers may have some insight. While it is a Mughal blade, possibly remounted in Sikh or Rajput hilt?

28th July 2012, 06:37 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This handle looks like my favorite kind of turkish decor: plain silver. Simple, elegant, no curlicues and crenellations. Perfect. BTW, I am ready to drop by and check your storage closets. Finder's keepers:-)

26th December 2015, 04:48 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Jim, yes it is - as far as I know. I have never seen a tulwar with such a laget ending before. Enibas, there are other silver hilted tulwars, and some of the form a group, but I have yet to research this group, and it seems as if it could be difficult. Jens