The Sirohi sword, or Sirohi

talwar The talwar (), also spelled talwaar and tulwar, is a type of curved sword or sabre from the Indian subcontinent. Etymology and classification The word ''talwar'' originated from the Sanskrit Language, Sanskrit word ''taravāri'' () which means ...

, is a traditional Indian weapon originating from the town of

Sirohi Sirohi is a town, located in Sirohi district in southern Rajasthan state in western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Sirohi District and was formerly the capital of the princely state of Sirohi ruled by Deora Chauhan Rajput ...

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...

. Known for its elegant design, curved blade, and fine steel craftsmanship, it was used by

Rajput Rājpūt (, from Sanskrit ''rājaputra'' meaning "son of a king"), also called Thākur (), is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating fro ...

warriors and other martial groups from the 16th to 19th centuries. It remains an important symbol of Rajput martial culture and Indian weapon-making traditions.

Etymology

The Sirohi sword is a traditional Indian weapon originating from the town of

in the present-day state of

, India. Known for its elegant design and sharp curved blade, the Sirohi sword was widely used by

warriors and other martial communities from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It is notable for its lightweight construction, superior steel, and high craftsmanship, making it a prized weapon in both battle and ceremony. Indian tulwar sword

Design and features

Blade

Sirohi swords typically feature a slightly curved, single-edged blade measuring approximately 30–36 inches in length. The curvature allowed for efficient slashing motions, especially from horseback. The blade was made from high-carbon steel, sometimes showing patterns similar to

Damascus steel Damascus steel (Arabic: فولاذ دمشقي) refers to the high-carbon crucible steel of the blades of historical swords forged using the wootz process in the Near East, characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent ...

, and was valued for its combination of flexibility, sharpness, and durability.

Hilt

The hilt was often made of brass or iron, featuring a disc-shaped pommel, a crossguard, and a protective knuckle bow. Many hilts were adorned with silver inlay or koftgari work, especially in ceremonial or noble-use swords. The grip was sometimes wrapped with cloth or wire for better handling.

Scabbard

The scabbard was typically made of wood or metal and covered with velvet or leather. It often included decorative fittings made from brass or silver and was sometimes engraved with motifs or emblems reflecting the owner's status.

Historical usage

The Sirohi sword was widely used by

Maratha The Marathi people (; Marathi: , ''Marāṭhī lōk'') or Marathis (Marathi: मराठी, ''Marāṭhī'') are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are native to Maharashtra in western India. They natively speak Marathi, an Indo-A ...

, and

Mughal Mughal or Moghul may refer to: Related to the Mughal Empire * Mughal Empire of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries * Mughal dynasty * Mughal emperors * Mughal people, a social group of Central and South Asia * Mughal architecture * Mug ...

warriors during the 16th to 19th centuries. It was especially favored by cavalry for its lightweight and balanced design, which allowed for quick strikes and agile movement. During this period, it featured in many battles and regional conflicts, including the

Mughal–Rajput Wars The Mughal–Rajput wars were a series of battles between various Rajput Kingdoms and Dynasties with the Mughal Empire. The conflict originated with the invasion of India by Timurid King Babur, to which the most powerful Rajput state, Kingd ...

and the internal wars between princely states. Rajput nobles often carried Sirohi swords as symbols of valor, lineage, and honor. Many swords were passed down as family heirlooms and sometimes bore inscriptions or blessings.

Cultural legacy

Today, the Sirohi sword is considered a cultural artifact and is displayed in various museums, including the

Mehrangarh Mehrangarh is a historic fort located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It stands on a hilltop, rising about above the surrounding plains, and the complex spans 1,200 acres (486 hectares). It was initially built around 1459 by the Rajput ruler of ...

fort museum in

Jodhpur Jodhpur () is the second-largest city of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, after its capital Jaipur. As of 2023, the city has a population of 1.83 million. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Jodhpur district and ...

and the

City Palace, Udaipur City Palace (Raj Mahal), Udaipur is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. Its construction ...

museum. Miniature versions of the sword are also used in weddings, folk performances, and religious ceremonies, especially in Rajasthan. Traditional swordsmithing continues on a limited scale in parts of Rajasthan, where artisans produce replicas and ceremonial blades using traditional techniques.

Comparison with other Indian swords

References

{{reflist Indian swords History of Rajasthan Weapons of India