The Talwar-The Indian Sword as a Weapon of War

The talwar is a curved sword that is used in the orient. It is a weapon of war and one can trace it lineage to its use nearly 4000 years back. The earliest mention of this weapon is in the Mahabharata where in the Kurus met the Pandavas in the famous battle of Kurukshetra. Over the centuries its use increased and kings and generals all used swords as weapons for combat. However it was basically a weapon of the cavalry and the infantry and the main weapon in use in India.

The Indian sword was lighter and more aerodynamic than the European swords. It had a curved shape unlike the broad sword in use in Europe. The broad sword of the Europeans was heavier and not so maneuverable .In contrast the Indian sword was more lethal as it moved through the air with minimum resistance .

The curved Indian sword was made in vast numbers and local smiths were adept in manufacturing the weapon. Its blade was on the longer side of the sword a while the western swords were double edged.. A complement to the sword was the shield which was carried tied to the left forearm while the warrior handled the sword with his right hand.

The talwar also had a curved scabbard and a short hilt. It was not uncommon for generals and kings in the subcontinent to have their own distinctive sword with ornamental hilts. Some had them studded with diamonds and precious gems as well as gold plated handles.

The sword was used by the Muslim invadors as well. But Moslem cavalry relied more on archers and the sword became a weapon of close combat.The British were also impressed with the talwar. They adapted it for their cavalry as the sabre.Thus blade of the British Pattern 1796 light cavalry saber is thought to be adapted from the Indian talwar. British horsemen moved forward with these curved swords and used them with telling effect in the wars in the Crimea, Egypt and India.
Most rulers of the sub continent either Hindu or Moslem including the Sikhs, Marathas, Mughals and British all made use of the talwar. The infantry and the cavalry both patronized it. It was also much in demand by kings and generals for combat and duels. But with the advent of the musket the talwar became obsolete and its use was discarded. The talwar is still made in India by a handful of old manufacturer's who have been making swords for centuries .But its use is presently only for military parades and other ceremonial occasions. The checkered military history of the sub-continent is incomplete without the talwar which for centuries was the main stay of the armies of the sub continent. One can never forget this.