Subject: ghorchurra sardar armored cavalry
Culture: Sikh Punjabi
Setting: Sikh empire, Punjab late 18th-mid 19thc
Object: tabar ax
Royal Armouries Museum > Oriental Gallery *
"Saddle axe (tabar) North Indian, Lahore, about 1840 The haft conceals a small stiletto which can be withdrawn
by unscrewing the knob at the bottom. The asymmetrical blade shape was introduced from Persia in the 18th century.
The haft is of wood covered in silver gilt copperworked in repousse with flowers and foliage. The blade is overlaid with silver flowers."
Royal Armouries Museum > Oriental Gallery *
"Axe (tabar) Indian, Lahore, late 18th century This axe has an L-shaped blade with a fore-spike.
This unusual axe once belonged to the Rajah of Iyenagore. The haft is covered in crimson velvet and the head is decorated with gold koftgari."
* Royal Armouries Museum > Oriental Gallery
"Axe head (tabar) Indian, Lahore, early 19th century The head of this horseman's axe is decorated with a floral pattern in silver with traces of gliding. The decoration is on a finely punched ground leaving the cutting edge bare."
