Tulwar Hilted Kora

Norman McCormick · 19th December 2007, 09:15 PM

Hello again,
Yes, it might just be the obvious, a warrior with a sword (Kora) and a shield.
Regards,
Norman.

Norman McCormick · 19th December 2007, 09:21 PM

Me again,
Still looking for input on the question of sword/wrist knots with regard to Indian weapons.
Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 19th December 2007, 10:07 PM

Norman,
To the best of my knowledge the 'sword knot' as used by European cavalry on sabres was not employed on Indian swords. In many cases the tang button (capstan in western parlance, = mogra in Indian) was pierced for the purpose of disassembling the hilt. There was certainly variation in this application, and various piercings and holes were often intended to add certain festoons or auspicious ornament, but I am not aware of these used as attachments to tie to the wrist.
Regards,
Jim

Norman McCormick · 19th December 2007, 10:38 PM

Hi Jim,
There is a thread on this forum entitled "How old is the Kora as a type",
there is a painting illustrated and on the right are seated three warriors, the middle one has a Tulwar at his side and what looks like a wrist loop attached to the top. I am sure I have also read somewhere, can't remember where, that mounted Indian warriors sometimes attached their swords by a cord to their waists to avoid losing a weapon during combat. Of course all the aforementioned is just conjecture on my part but my curiosity was aroused after handling the Tulwar with the script.
Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 19th December 2007, 10:56 PM

Hi Norman,
Thank you for referencing that, I did not recall that, so I'll definitely review. Actually it would make sense, as one of a cavalryman's worst fears would be to drop his weapon in the heat of battle. I know that in reading overall it often happens that these references come up, and its frustrating to try to relocate them. I recall reading that Rajputs typically dismounted in during combat, I believe the note stating they considered fighting face to face on foot more chivalrous or something to that effect.
With the hole in the tang button, none of the references I know make mention of using it for a wrist cord, but that is not to say it was not done. Obviously seeing British cavalry, who clearly did use the sword knot as well as lanyards on pistols etc. might influence such use, though obviously such a sensibly applied thought was certainly in place without that.
While such practice may not have seen widespread or standard use, it does seem likely that individuals might use this concept as they saw fit.

On an interesting note on these boomerangs, not that it applies here, but came across an entry in Stone p.348, noting these were used as far NW as Gujerat, where they are termed 'katariya'.

Best regards,
Jim

Jens Nordlunde · 19th January 2008, 02:21 PM

Here is an ivory boomerang, shown in the book Marlborough House, cast J, #205. This was made for killing hares, but I am sure they had bigger, wooden ones for other kinds of ‘hunting’.

Norman McCormick · 19th January 2008, 10:21 PM

The scalloped edge still poses a problem although the one in the engraving seems to be the reverse of the scallops on the actual blade so maybe?????
Regards,
Norman.

19th January 2008, 02:21 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Here is an ivory boomerang, shown in the book Marlborough House, cast J, #205. This was made for killing hares, but I am sure they had bigger, wooden ones for other kinds of ‘hunting’. Attached Images

19th December 2007, 09:15 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hello again, Yes, it might just be the obvious, a warrior with a sword (Kora) and a shield. Regards, Norman.

19th December 2007, 09:21 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Me again, Still looking for input on the question of sword/wrist knots with regard to Indian weapons. Regards, Norman.

19th December 2007, 10:07 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Norman, To the best of my knowledge the 'sword knot' as used by European cavalry on sabres was not employed on Indian swords. In many cases the tang button (capstan in western parlance, = mogra in Indian) was pierced for the purpose of disassembling the hilt. There was certainly variation in this application, and various piercings and holes were often intended to add certain festoons or auspicious ornament, but I am not aware of these used as attachments to tie to the wrist. Regards, Jim

19th December 2007, 10:38 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Jim, There is a thread on this forum entitled "How old is the Kora as a type", there is a painting illustrated and on the right are seated three warriors, the middle one has a Tulwar at his side and what looks like a wrist loop attached to the top. I am sure I have also read somewhere, can't remember where, that mounted Indian warriors sometimes attached their swords by a cord to their waists to avoid losing a weapon during combat. Of course all the aforementioned is just conjecture on my part but my curiosity was aroused after handling the Tulwar with the script. Regards, Norman.

19th December 2007, 10:56 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Norman, Thank you for referencing that, I did not recall that, so I'll definitely review. Actually it would make sense, as one of a cavalryman's worst fears would be to drop his weapon in the heat of battle. I know that in reading overall it often happens that these references come up, and its frustrating to try to relocate them. I recall reading that Rajputs typically dismounted in during combat, I believe the note stating they considered fighting face to face on foot more chivalrous or something to that effect. With the hole in the tang button, none of the references I know make mention of using it for a wrist cord, but that is not to say it was not done. Obviously seeing British cavalry, who clearly did use the sword knot as well as lanyards on pistols etc. might influence such use, though obviously such a sensibly applied thought was certainly in place without that. While such practice may not have seen widespread or standard use, it does seem likely that individuals might use this concept as they saw fit. On an interesting note on these boomerangs, not that it applies here, but came across an entry in Stone p.348, noting these were used as far NW as Gujerat, where they are termed 'katariya'. Best regards, Jim

19th January 2008, 10:21 PM	#7
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	The scalloped edge still poses a problem although the one in the engraving seems to be the reverse of the scallops on the actual blade so maybe????? Regards, Norman.