Talwar
| Talwar | |
|---|---|
|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | saber |
| Designations: | Talwar |
| Use: | weapon |
| Region of origin / author: |
India , warrior box from India |
| Distribution: | India |
| Overall length: | about 89 cm to about 95 cm |
| Blade length: | about 74 cm to about 84 cm |
| Handle: | metal |
| Lists on the subject | |
A Talwar ( Hindi : तलवार , Talvar ; Urdu : تلوار; English : Tulwar ) is an Indian saber .
description
A talwar has a curved blade that is very similar to that of the Persian Shamshir and the Turkish Kilij . The difference between the blades is that that of the Talwar is wider than that of the Shamshir, and that the Talwar lacks the blade broadening (Jelman) of the Kilij. Many blades are made from Indian Wootz steel. The crossguard of the Talwar is cross-shaped and usually made of one piece together with the handle . The pommel is disc-shaped and often has a sharp, thorn-like extension at the rear end. The handles are made of various materials such as iron, brass or silver and are glued to the blade tang with a resin . Some Talwars have a hand guard attached to the crossguard , but this is not connected to the pommel. The sheaths are made of leather-covered wood. The chape and the end piece of the scabbard are made of sheet steel. Often these sabers are gold-plated, silver-plated, or set with pearls and precious stones, some are also decorated with floral patterns. This craft technique, called Koftgari in India, is mainly used for more valuable pieces. The scabbards are often shod with colored velvet and decorated trimmings. There are also sheaths in which an attachment for a by- knife is appropriate. There are reports of blades in which a groove-like recess is forged in which pearls are set. Some Talwars serve as a purely ceremonial weapon.
The tegha is a very similar weapon; In contrast to the Talwar, the Tegha has a wider, more curved blade.
history
The Talwar originated in its classical form around the time of the Mughal Empire (1526 to 1858) in India . Attacks by Muslim forces found that the cavalry units needed new weapons. The khanda used until then was too heavy for the cavalry . Then the Talwar was introduced to the troops, where it soon enjoyed great popularity. The Talwar is still partly worn by the warrior castes of the Sikhs , Rajputs and Marathas as an object of class and prestige.
Talwar with a Wootz blade
Koftgari , name for the (richly decorated) outfit of a Talwar
Talwar
Talwar with wootz blade, koftgari , term for the (richly decorated) outfit of a talwar.
Historically, the talwar is related to the following weapons:
literature
- Wendelin Boeheim : Handbook of the armory . Fourier Verlag, Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 978-3-201-00257-8 (unchanged reprint of the Leipzig 1890 edition).
- Nick Evangelista : The encyclopedia of the sword . Greenwood Publishing Group, Westport, Conn. 1995, ISBN 978-0-313-27896-9 .
- Robert Elgood: Hindu arms and ritual. Arms and armor from India 1400-1865 . Verlag Eburon, Delft 2004, ISBN 978-90-5972-020-6 .
- George C. Stone: A glossary of the construction, decoration and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times . Courier Dover Publications, Mineola, NY 1999, ISBN 978-0-486-40726-5 (with an introduction by Donald J. LaRocca).
Web links
- Several Talwars at Oriental Arms
- Talwar in the Royal Armories / Leeds
- Several Tulwars in the auction catalog of Hermann Historica / Munich (2004)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Koftagari
- ↑ George C. Stone: A glossary of the construction, decoration and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times .
- ↑ Wendelin Boeheim: Handbook of Arms , page 275 and 279.
- ^ Ceremonial Talwar in the Glasgow Museum .
- ↑ E. Jaiwant Paul: Arms and Armor. Traditional Weapons of India . Publisher Roli Books, Delhi 2005, page 46, ISBN 978-81-7436-340-4