Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c17.s1.t4: Antennae Sword

v1.c17.s1.t4.1

The distinctive feature of these swords is the hilt which bifurcates like the antennae of an insect. Outside the Gangetic basin, Kallur (Hyderabad State) is the only place in India which has yielded swords of this type. Beyond the frontiers of India a bronze sword belonging to the Koban culture of north Caucasia may be cited. But there are some outstanding differences between the Caucasian and Indain specimens. In the former case, the hilt and the blade are two separate parts joined subsequently. Further, the hilt has hole, and the blade is flat-sectioned. In the latter case, on the other hand, the hilt and blade are of one cast, there is no hole in the hilt and the blade has a strong medial ridge. Besides there are only a few examples of this type in the Koban culture itself. Thus, there may not be much justification in tracing the origin of the one from the other, specially in the absence of any examples from the intervening countries like Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In fact, much more evidence is wanted than is available at present to decide the issue either way. (Lal, 1951: 35)