Tulwar Hilted Kora

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.

Bob A · 17th March 2019, 07:48 PM

I found an interesting item at the 2019 MACA show. It seems to be a possible re-purposing of an Indian boomerang, or perhaps just a blade with very similar design. Perhaps it's some sort of proto-Kora? This thread seems like an appropriate place for it.

Jim McDougall · 20th March 2019, 10:35 PM

Hi Bob
Looks like no takers on this so I'll venture an idea. I don't think this is any sort of a proto-kora as those as a weapon form seem to have evolved quite some time ago in the Indian sword spectrum from the early forms seen in iconography.
I would say this falls into the 'village' type of weapon/implement which was crudely fashioned recalling the kora form, and the 'decoration' follows some sort of folk perspective as far as possible intent.

The scalloped dentation at the tip is curious, almost as if to be used in some sort of scraping. Perhaps this was something used in the manner of kora in sacrificial or butchering situation? With these kinds of items it is pretty much anybodys guess as they are essentially 'one off' and not in a necessary category.

Bob A · 21st March 2019, 12:53 AM

I had taken close-up pictures of the hilt, trying to determine whether the blade had been modified, perhaps from the "boomerang" shape, prior to having a hilt affixed, but I'm unable to decide. The hilted area does seem rather thicker that the blade area, but it seems too speculative to say more.

I note that the hilt is copper, or something covered in sheet copper. The only other piece I have at hand with copper sheathing is a Songye axe. Afric to India is way too distant a jump to hazard any conclusions in that regard. If anyone has data regarding copper-sheathed hilts, I'd be interested in reading about this.

19th January 2008, 02:21 PM	#3
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

17th March 2019, 07:48 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	I found an interesting item at the 2019 MACA show. It seems to be a possible re-purposing of an Indian boomerang, or perhaps just a blade with very similar design. Perhaps it's some sort of proto-Kora? This thread seems like an appropriate place for it. Attached Images

19th December 2007, 10:38 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#4
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.

20th March 2019, 10:35 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Bob Looks like no takers on this so I'll venture an idea. I don't think this is any sort of a proto-kora as those as a weapon form seem to have evolved quite some time ago in the Indian sword spectrum from the early forms seen in iconography. I would say this falls into the 'village' type of weapon/implement which was crudely fashioned recalling the kora form, and the 'decoration' follows some sort of folk perspective as far as possible intent. The scalloped dentation at the tip is curious, almost as if to be used in some sort of scraping. Perhaps this was something used in the manner of kora in sacrificial or butchering situation? With these kinds of items it is pretty much anybodys guess as they are essentially 'one off' and not in a necessary category.

21st March 2019, 12:53 AM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	I had taken close-up pictures of the hilt, trying to determine whether the blade had been modified, perhaps from the "boomerang" shape, prior to having a hilt affixed, but I'm unable to decide. The hilted area does seem rather thicker that the blade area, but it seems too speculative to say more. I note that the hilt is copper, or something covered in sheet copper. The only other piece I have at hand with copper sheathing is a Songye axe. Afric to India is way too distant a jump to hazard any conclusions in that regard. If anyone has data regarding copper-sheathed hilts, I'd be interested in reading about this.