Talwar: Difference between revisions
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==Use== |
==Use== |
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The talwar was used by both cavalry and infantry. The grip of the talwar is cramped and the prominent disc of the pommel presses into the wrist if attempts are made to use it to cut like a conventional sabre. These features of the talwar hilt result in the hand having a very secure and rather inflexible hold on the weapon, enforcing the use of variations on the very effective "draw cut". The fact that the talwar does not have the kind of radical curve of the shamshir indicates that it could be used for thrusting as well as cutting purposes. Unlike some similar blades which have a very radical curve at the lower half of the blade - which make them very good slashing weapons but limit their use as a thrusting or cutting blades - the talwar can be used effectively for all three purposes either by mounted warrior or by foot soldier. The blades of some examples of the talwar widen towards the tip. This increases the momentum of the distal portion of the blade when used to cut; when a blow was struck by a skilled warrior limbs could be amputated and heads |
The talwar was used by both cavalry and infantry. The grip of the talwar is cramped and the prominent disc of the pommel presses into the wrist if attempts are made to use it to cut like a conventional sabre. These features of the talwar hilt result in the hand having a very secure and rather inflexible hold on the weapon, enforcing the use of variations on the very effective "draw cut". The fact that the talwar does not have the kind of radical curve of the shamshir indicates that it could be used for thrusting as well as cutting purposes. Unlike some similar blades which have a very radical curve at the lower half of the blade - which make them very good slashing weapons but limit their use as a thrusting or cutting blades - the talwar can be used effectively for all three purposes either by mounted warrior or by foot soldier. The blades of some examples of the talwar widen towards the tip. This increases the momentum of the distal portion of the blade when used to cut; when a blow was struck by a skilled warrior limbs could be amputated and heads severed.<ref> [[Louis Nolan|Nolan, Louis]]. Cavalry: its History and Tactics (Bosworth 1853, Pallas Armata facsimile reprint 1995)</ref> The spike attached to the pommel could be used for striking the opponent in extreme close quarter circumstances when it was not always possible to use the blade. The talwar is held with fore finger wrapping around the lower cross guard. |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 06:44, 14 August 2010
| Talwar | |
|---|---|
| File:Talwar Hindú SXVII.jpg 18th-century talwar, with typical disc-hilt and knucklebow. | |
| Type | Sword |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| Used by | The Kshatriya, the Rajputs, the Sikhs, the Sultanate of Delhi, the Mughal Empire, the Marathas |
| Production history | |
| Produced | Early types from ca. 1300, the classic form from ca. 1500 to present. |
| Specifications | |
| Blade type | Single-edged, curved bladed, pointed tip. |
A talwar (Hindi: तलवार, Panjabi: ਤਲਵਾਰ, Urdu: تلوار,) is a type of curved sword from India. Also spelled talwaar or tulwar, it is the primary weapon of gatka. As with the older khanda, the talwar is revered by Rajputs as a symbol of the god Shiva. The weapon is also used by some South Asian Shiite Muslims for tatbeer when observing Mätam on the Day of Ashura. Talwar is also an Indian and Pakistani family name.
History
The talwar originated with Middle Eastern swords such as the Persian shamshir, the Turkish kilij and the Afghan pulwar. It was introduced to India in the 13th century by invading Muslim conquerors and was adopted by communities who favoured the sword as their main weapon, including the Rajputs, Panjabis and Marathas. It became more widespread under the Mughals who fought with curved swords from horseback. The talwar may have largely replaced the unique Rajput khanda as the sword of choice in medieval Indian armies. Sikh warriors continued to wield the khanda, a dedicated cutting sword, but only as a last resort.
It has been recorded by Col. James Tod in his famous book the Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan that the Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap Singh rendered a blow to one of the Mughal commander, who came to intercept him, while the Maharana was retreating from the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 following a reversal. The Maharana is said to have struck such a blow to the Mughal commander which clove his skull along with the metal helmet, from the middle of the head to the neck in one single stroke. A wall painting depicting this incident is available in the museum of the Udaipur Palace in India.
The blade profile of the British Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre is similar to some examples of the Indian talwar, and expert opinion has suggested that the Indian sword may have contributed to the design of the British sabre.[1]
Characteristics
Though influenced by Middle Eastern swords, the typical talwar has a wider blade than the shamshir, and lacks the expanded yelman (false-edge) of the kilij. Late examples often had European-made blades, set into distinctive Indian-made hilts. The hilt of the typical talwar is termed a "disc hilt" from the prominent disc-shaped flange surrounding the pommel.[2] The pommel often has a short spike projecting from its centre, sometimes pierced for a cord to secure the sword to the wrist. The hilt incorporates a simple cross-guard which frequently has a slender knucklebow attached.[3] The hilt is usually entirely of iron, though brass and silver hilts are found, and is connected to the tang of the blade by a very powerful adhesive resin. Superior examples of the tulwar often show silver or gilt decoration in a form called koftigari.
Use
The talwar was used by both cavalry and infantry. The grip of the talwar is cramped and the prominent disc of the pommel presses into the wrist if attempts are made to use it to cut like a conventional sabre. These features of the talwar hilt result in the hand having a very secure and rather inflexible hold on the weapon, enforcing the use of variations on the very effective "draw cut". The fact that the talwar does not have the kind of radical curve of the shamshir indicates that it could be used for thrusting as well as cutting purposes. Unlike some similar blades which have a very radical curve at the lower half of the blade - which make them very good slashing weapons but limit their use as a thrusting or cutting blades - the talwar can be used effectively for all three purposes either by mounted warrior or by foot soldier. The blades of some examples of the talwar widen towards the tip. This increases the momentum of the distal portion of the blade when used to cut; when a blow was struck by a skilled warrior limbs could be amputated and heads severed.[4] The spike attached to the pommel could be used for striking the opponent in extreme close quarter circumstances when it was not always possible to use the blade. The talwar is held with fore finger wrapping around the lower cross guard.
Notes
- ^ Robson, p.23
- ^ Evangelista and Gaugler, p. 575
- ^ Evangelista and Gaugler, p. 575
- ^ Nolan, Louis. Cavalry: its History and Tactics (Bosworth 1853, Pallas Armata facsimile reprint 1995)
References
- Evangelista, N. and Gaugler, W.M. (1995) The encyclopedia of the sword. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0313278962
- Robson, B. (1975) Swords of the British Army, Arms and Armour Press.