Two Tone Gold Hilted Indian Tulwar

Price on request · Region: India · Type: Swords

Now sold.

The tulwar, an iconic sword of the Indian subcontinent, holds a important place in the history of arms and armor. Known for its distinctive hilt and slightly curved blade, the tulwar was not only a weapon of war but also a symbol of status and heritage among Indian warriors, nobles, and rulers.

The word "tulwar" is derived from the Sanskrit term "taravari", meaning "to cut or strike quickly," reflecting its design as a weapon optimized for slashing. Its development was influenced by a blend of indigenous Indian sword-making traditions and the curved sabers introduced by Central Asian invaders, such as the Mughals. The tulwar emerged as a distinctive sword type during the 16th and 17th centuries, achieving prominence under the Mughal Empire. It became the preferred weapon of cavalry and infantry across the Indian subcontinent due to its versatile design, suited for the swift and decisive strikes characteristic of Indian combat styles.

The tulwar played a significant role in battles across medieval and early modern India. Mughal emperors, Maratha warriors, Rajput princes, and Sikh soldiers all wielded variations of the tulwar in their conflicts. For example, the tulwar was integral in the battles of the Maratha Empire, where the swift mobility of cavalry units and their ability to deliver powerful slashes became legendary. During the colonial period, the tulwar remained in use as a ceremonial weapon, with many examples bearing intricate decorative elements symbolizing rank and prestige.

This is one of the finer examples of a 19th century tulwar we've owned. The condition is basically perfect with no losses of any type.  The hilt is a superb late 19th century form, decorated in two tone colored gold koftgari with European influenced floral designs which mirror the use of a European blade form (a pipe-backed blade) but made of fine black, or kara taban, wootz.  The blade is further embellished with two gold koftgari inscriptions in Arabic.

A superb quality sword.