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Lot Essay
Mughal emperors and princes appear to have favoured firangi swords as suggested by two swords published in Mohamed Bashir, which bear inscriptions on their European blades naming Shah Jahan, his son Aurangzeb, and Khan Jahan Bahadur, possibly a general of the latter L'Art des Chevaliers en Pays d'Islam, Milan, 2007, ill.62-63, pp .98-99). The ruling classes of the Deccan did not remain indifferent to these foreign blades; chosing to be portrayed with them as shown in two paintings of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah of Golconda, dated 1624-5, and of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah, dated to the mid-17th century (Victoria and Albert Museum; IM.22-1925 and IS 18-1980).
The name firangi finds its origin in the corruption of the word frank in farsi, arabic and other asian languages and came to be used to describe these blades of European origin.
The firangis' long and souple blades, sometimes locally smithed, allowed for slashing and thrusting. They were usually mounted with basket hilts; a type of hilt also found on stiffer bladed khandas. Their extended long tang button, which could be much longer than that of the present sword, could allow the use as a double-grip sword.
The name firangi finds its origin in the corruption of the word frank in farsi, arabic and other asian languages and came to be used to describe these blades of European origin.
The firangis' long and souple blades, sometimes locally smithed, allowed for slashing and thrusting. They were usually mounted with basket hilts; a type of hilt also found on stiffer bladed khandas. Their extended long tang button, which could be much longer than that of the present sword, could allow the use as a double-grip sword.