This 19th Century Indian tulwar was made in Rajasthan, Northern India and has a kirach-like blade. Kirach have a straight blade with a slight curve towards the tip, as does this sword, although the curve is a little more pronounced on this example. Kirach are rare swords and were developed by the Marathas. These swords were reserved for the use of elite troops. They can be found with both the Hindu basket hilt (as seen on Firangi and Khanda) and with the Delhishahi hilt as on this example. This swords dates to the mid-18oo’s.
The 795mm blade is un-fullered, with a flat spine and terminates in a narrow hatchet point. The single-edged blade is straight for the first three-quarters of its length, the last quarter having a curve towards the point. The blade is double-edged for the final 200mm and retains sharp fighting edges.
The steel hilt has a reeded baluster grip, long, clubbed languets and a pommel disk incorporating a sun and dome with a skull-crusher terminal. The cross guard has domed finials, the facing branch continues into a recurved knuckle bow with a stylized tiger head terminal.
The blade is firm in the hilt.
The tulwar is complete with its leather covered wooden scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition with age and use-related wear. The stitched seam is intact and tight. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very fine example of a mid-19th Century northern Indian Kirach-like tulwar.
