Heavy Pattern Welded Khanda

A Khanda sword with Hindu basket hilt, Maratha Kingdom -India - 17th to 18th century.

Details of this item

Price

-

Status

Sold

Region

South Asia (India, Sri-Lanka)
(India, Maratha Kingdom)

Period

17th/18th century

Materials

Steel, Iron, Fabric

Price

Sold

Status

Sold

Region

South Asia (India, Sri-Lanka)

(India, Maratha Kingdom)

Period

17th/18th century

Materials

Steel, Iron, Fabric

Description

The ‘khanda’ is one of the oldest sword of India. Deriving from ancient Hindu tradition, being freely translated as ‘to break through’ or to ‘divide’ or ‘cut’. The ‘khanda’ features a straight blade with partial double edge. The tip is often rounded in spatula form or has steep and straight edges. In some cases the ‘khanda’ blades are reinforced with a long stretching langet on the spine and forte. The hilts vary in style, but are basically Hindu basket hilts. The ‘khanda’ was favored among the Rajput and Maratha, who are Hindu warrior caste.

Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Kingdom - British Museum

Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Kingdom holding a ‘khanda’ in his left hand. Ca. 1675-1680 – British Museum.

The hilt:
A typical steel Hindu basket hilt with a large and wide guard and disc shaped pommel with long stretched finial. The front of the hilt features two langets which protect the forte and ends up in two rounded quillons. The grip is made of steel and covered in fabric to maintain a better grip. The inside of the guard likely had a padded velvet liner to comfort the owner. The hilt was attached to the blade with resin and is decorated with a dot line engraving on the exterior.

The blade:
A fine pattern welded blade, typical to the ‘khanda’ with a razor sharp cutting edge and partial double edged. The tip is slightly rounded and shows a fine welding pattern. The spine is flat and ends in a yelman near three quarter of the blade towards the tip. A single fuller was chiseled on both sides covering nearly the entire blade. The blade is exceptionally heavy and stiff, honoring its name ‘khanda’ as a real cutting divider. The balance point lies at ca. twenty centimeters from the base. The blade bears a stamped mark near the forte.

Conclusion: A very heavy and functional ‘khanda’ as was preferred by the Maratha and Rajput warriors. The blade shows a very nice pattern welding all over the blade which widens towards the tip. A genuine example from the late 17th to early 18th century.

 

Heavy Pattern Welded Khanda

Condition

Very good, some minor pitting on the blade, but in overall good condition.

Dimensions

Hilt length: 26cm
Blade length: 80.5cm
Blade spine thickness: 5mm
Total length: 98.9cm

Weight

1.393gr.

Comparable items

Provenance

French private collection.

Literature

Ravinder Reddy – Arms & Armour of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.