KHANDA OF ALAUDDIN KHILJI
Description
Khanda is a sword with a straight blade which broadens slightly towards the end and terminates in a rounded tip. It is one of the oldest and the most typical Indian swords. The earliest representation of this type is found in the friezes of the Rani Gumpha cave in Udaigiri dating to the 2nd century CE.
The blade of the sword is typical with a decorative strengthening plate at the edge. The hilt has a broad plate guard and wide finger guard which joins the round flat pommel. A slanting spike on the pommel could have acted as a hand rest. The plate guard and the finger guard are padded while the grip is covered with leather. A Sword knot or the sword guard was attached to the sword to avoid the loss of the weapon during combat. Before drawing out the sword the hand was slipped through the loop to grip the hilt so that even if the weapon slipped from the hand it remained hanging on the wrist. The inscription on the sword reads: Sikada Shah Khalji Allauddin Sultan. This inscribed sword of Alauddin Khilji is perhaps the earliest available historical sword in the country.
Sir Ratan Tata Collection
Collection
Arms and Armour
Object Type
Swords
Material
Steel with gold damascene
Schools/Culture/Period
--
Technique
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Date
Early 14th century
Location
Delhi, North India
Dimension
L: 101 cms.