Scimitar: Difference between revisions
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==Etymology== |
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"Scimitar", known in English since 1548, is derived from the Middle French ''cimeterre'' (15c.) or from the Italian ''scimitarra'', a term of uncertain origin. Perhaps the source is Persian ''[[shamshir]]'', but the [[OED]] finds this explanation "unsatisfactory". |
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The following swords are usually called scimitars: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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!Sword |
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!Culture |
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|[[Saif]] |
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|Arab |
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|[[Shamshir]] |
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|Persian |
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|[[Kilij]] |
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|rowspan=2|Turkish |
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|[[Yatagan|Yatağan]] |
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|[[Talwar]] |
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|Indian |
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|[[Toor (sword)|Toor]] |
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|Armenian |
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|[[Nimcha]] |
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|Moroccan |
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|[[Pulwar]] |
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|Afghan |
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|[[Handžar]] |
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|Bosnian |
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|} |
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==Use== |
==Use== |
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Revision as of 03:15, 3 April 2011
A scimitar (Template:Pron-en) is a backsword with a curved blade, originating in Southwest Asia (Middle East).
The name can be used to refer to almost any West Asian or South Asian sword with a curved blade, and is often thought of as having a ridge near the end. They include Arabic saif, Indian talwar, Persian shamshir, and Turkish kilij, Pulwar and yatağan, among others.
Use
 | This section possibly contains original research. (July 2009) |
Scimitars were used in horse warfare because of their relatively light weight when compared to larger swords and their curved design, good for slashing opponents while riding on a horse. Mongols, Rajputs and Sikhs used scimitars in warfare, among many other peoples.
Many Islamic traditions adopted scimitars, as attested by their symbolic occurrence, e.g. on the Coat of arms of Saudi Arabia.
The earliest known use of scimitars is from around the 8th century, when it was used among Turkic and Tungusic soldiers in Central Asia [1][2]
Variations
Varieties include the Arabian saif, the Persian shamshir, the Turkish kilij, the Indian tulwar, the Moroccan nimcha, and the Afghan pulwar.
The Indian tulwar is a sword similar to the shamshir, with the exception of a broader blade, mild curve and a disk shaped pommel which provides a very secure grip. The sword is made from very flexible wootz steel. The word “tulwar” literally means “sword” in Urdu/Hindi. The tulwar is somewhat unique in the sense that it can be used for thrusting as well as cutting.
The kilij is a scimitar used by the Turks and the Ottoman Empire; it appeared around the 15th century. The kilij is a unique kind of scimitar that has a slight taper down the straight of the blade until the last third of the sword, when it angles sharply and becomes deeper. After the First Barbary War, a bejeweled kilij was presented to the commanding Marine officer, thus beginning the tradition of granting, to all United States Marine Corps officers, the right to carry the ceremonial weapon as part of that tradition.
The Moroccan nimcha is a scimitar used in the late 18th century, and is usually forged using the blades of older swords, dating from as early as the 17th century, and with blades from countries as distant as Germany. This created a wide variety of nimcha, and almost no two are the same.
The Afghan pulwar is similar in blade design to the tulwar, but the cross guard on the pulwar angles in towards the blade to catch swords. Many pulwar hilts are engraved with ornamental inscriptions and designs.
Notes
Further reading
- Hawass, Zahi. (2005). Tutankhamun And the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Washington DC: National Geographic Society