A 19th century Afghan warrior’s opinion on European blades compared to his own

[Jim McDougall]

This is remarkable Chris!!! and the markings 4 P.I. are most telling, as you have noted for the unit 4th Punjab Infantry. Those singular markings unleash the 'story' of this tulwar, and its part in the incredibly complex and fascinating history of the British Raj in India.

As you have noted, this unit participated in the Relief of Lucknow in 1857, during the Indian Mutiny, one of the most historic events in this sector of Indian history. In this action the 4th were with the 93rd Highlanders.

I must thank you as you have piqued my interest in this history, which took me to a number of weapons which have been held for years in my collection, while I have studied in other areas. Your tulwar has totally rekindled my interest in returning to their incomplete documentation.

The 4th Punjab Infantry was formed in 1849, along with 9 other units, totaling five cavalry and five infantry, all becoming what comprised the Punjab Irregular Force in 1851.

Ironically, many of the components of these forces were Sikh, and had joined British forces at the end of the Anglo-Sikh war in 1849, along with Pathans from Afghanistan, and some Hindu's from southerly regions.

In 1849, the Kingdom of Punjab was annexed into British East India territory so the idea was to have native forces patrol these vast areas.

I have a cavalry saber by Mole, to the 21st cavalry (Dalys Horse) which was also part of this irregular force from 1849, but was not known by the 21st cavalry designator until 1903. This would seem to fall in place with these type sabers which seem to have become prevalent around late 1880s.

This unit was formed by Lt.H.Daly in 1849, and later became known as 'Daly's Horse' in the convention of the times recognizing the founders of the regiments.

Apparently both the 4th Punjab infantry and the 1st Punjab Cavalry (as Daly's Horse was known then) participated in the actions at Lucknow noted.

While I realize my saber was certainly not present in 1857 but later, yours might have been of that period.....despite the unit designator not being the same after 1851. On the frontiers these peculiarities did not change that quickly.

SIDE NOTE: These irregular units were known initially as the Transfrontier Brigade informally, and were the first military to adopt khaki (called drab) to align with the rugged regions they were situated in.

[Jim McDougall]

As noted in earlier posts, there was a propensity with the use of British M1796 blades in Indian tulwars, most noted during the Anglo-Sikh wars, when British cavalry found that the deadly tulwars used against them were actually old British blades honed razor sharp.

The convention seems to have continued in the Punjab regions after that, and other areas under East India Company dominion. I posted earlier a Mughal court type tulwar likely from Delhi mounted with an Osborn M1796 blade.

Also posted an Indian tulwar with steel Persian shamshir style hilt which also in this category of East India Company associated blade mountings, perhaps from Deccan, but at this point also the Punjab regions as well. This one has a British M1788 style blade. In the late 19th century, East India Company was contracting many blades of M1788 form to British makers. The foremost was Thomas Gill of Birmingham, but this blade is unmarked.
It is however decorated with koftgari which seems to align with the ad hoc ruling classes developing in the principalities in Punjabi areas housing the many mercenaries from Europe and Portugal.

One of these was Firingipura, outside Delhi during the reign of Shah Jahan with mostly French and other European mercenaries. There were Germans among these, and another of such 'foreign' principalities was situated in the Doab, north of Delhi.

While I had always focused on the use of the British blades in use, and thought perhaps these mounted in much more status oriented versions of tulwar might be diplomatically associated. I now see that perhaps the heirarchy of these foreign principalities might well be the solution to the examples I have.

With the example tulwar to the 4th Punjab Infantry, it would seem that the foreign blades circulating in these regions through the large numbers of European mercenaries in these times might account for the M1811 Blucher blade in this example.

As we see, a most historically pertinent example!!
Well done Chris!!!

[Chris Tubman]

All very interesting, this forum has lived up to my expectations.