Gallery Title
Gallery Title
Talwar
Accession Number NWHRM : 2734
Description
A talwar, talwaar or tulwar, an Indian sword type deriving from 13th century Persian shamshirs. Brought back by the regiment after the First Afghan War in 1839. All metal hilt, disc pommel secured by top nut, cast grip swollen at the middle with cross guard having button-shaped finials and button bow. The blade is curved, single edged, parallel-sided with a single fuller. A ponounced ‘T’cross section at back edge. Most blades were of local manufacture though British & French were blades also used.
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Captain Lewis Edward Nolan, later immortalized by The Charge of the Light Brigade, wrote critically of British cavalry swords blunted by their noisy steel scabbards which contrasted with the swords of the Sikhs whom he had fought. 'Their tulwars sometimes made from discarded dragoon blades were keenly sharpened, kept in their wooden scabbards except for use in battle.'
