North Indian Shikargar Shamshir

This lovely shamshir represents a classic form found in North India and called a shikargar shamshir or a hunting sword.  Rajput and Mughal painted hunting scenes commonly depict royalty and nobility wielding swords while pursuing prey on horseback. This example depicts such scenes, sculptured in low-relief decoration in a wootz blade and highlighted in gold.

On both sides, running the full length of the blade, is a menagerie of animals, from real to mythical, together with hunters. The handle and scabbard fittings are fully ensuite and finely chiseled with floral decoration throughout.

The scabbard is crafted in the Persian style, adopted in India, with a wooden core, covered in thin wires over which dark leather is applied wet and then allowed to dry, creating a pattern in the leather in relief.

A closely related example is found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Acc. Nr. 36.25.1506a, b.  

In the Mughal Empire (1526–1857), hunting was not only a pastime but a display of power, skill, and the emperor’s control over the wilderness. Swords like the shikargar shamshir were integral to these events, as they were used for close combat with prey, particularly in situations where firearms were impractical. Such weapons required exceptional craftsmanship to ensure balance and cutting power, essential for swift, humane kills.

Swords also symbolized the warrior ethos of Mughal rulers, reflecting their heritage as descendants of Timur and Genghis Khan, both renowned for their martial traditions. Hunting expeditions provided opportunities for emperors and nobles to demonstrate their bravery and swordsmanship, reinforcing their image as protectors and rulers.

Each of the great Mughal emperors from the 16th-17th century all had specific approaches to the hunt including:

Akbar's Grand Hunts

Emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605) was an avid hunter, often engaging in elaborate hunts involving large retinues and a variety of weapons. Akbar’s biographers describe his skill in hunting tigers and lions, often with swords or spears. The use of swords during such encounters demonstrated courage, as it required close proximity to dangerous animals.

Jahangir’s Documentation of Hunt

Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–1627) meticulously recorded his hunts in his memoirs, the Jahangirnama. He recounted using swords and daggers to kill animals like wild boars and tigers. These records highlight not only his personal prowess but also the craftsmanship of the weapons employed.

Shah Jahan’s Tiger Hunts

Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658), better known for commissioning the Taj Mahal, also partook in tiger hunts. Historical accounts describe the emperor’s use of richly adorned swords to dispatch tigers during ceremonial hunts. These events were often held in royal hunting reserves (shikargahs) and attended by high-ranking officials.

Aurangzeb’s Pragmatic Hunts

Unlike his predecessors, Emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707) approached hunting with more restraint. While he participated in hunting expeditions, he saw them as necessary for training and discipline rather than mere sport. Accounts of his hunts also mention the use of swords for close combat, emphasizing their utility over ostentation.

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