Moplah sword explained

The Moplah sword or Sumraal Khanjar is a sword used by the Malabar Muslim population in the Malabar Coast in southwestern India. The sword has been used since medieval times.

It is also known as the ayda katti.^[1]

Characteristics

The Moplah sword has a wide blade that is broader near to the tip and runs slightly concave.^{[2] [3]} The blade is polished smooth, with no hollow-ground. In some versions, the blade has a strong middle section, which extends up into the tip. The hilt can be made of wood, ^[4] horn or bone. The pommel is often covered with a metal disk. At the transition between the blade and hilt, decorations are often found, and they are made of silver or brass.^[5] These decorations are of traditional or religious significance in most cases.

The blades are about 35cm (14inches) long, at the widest point about 10cm (00inches) wide and the sword has a total length of about 60cm (20inches).

The sword is held in a belt worn on the back with the blade facing upwards. It is not kept in a scabbard.^[6]

History

The Moplah sword is named after the Muslim Mappilahs, a South Asian Muslim community.^[7]

Bibliography

• Stone, G.C., LaRocca, D.J. (1999) . Courier Dover Publications
• Egerton, W.E. (2002) Indian and Oriental Armour. Courier Dover Publications
• Indian Museum (2002) Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour. Courier Dover Publications
• Elgood, R. (1994) The Arms and Armour of Arabia in the 18th-19th and 20th centuries. Scolar Press

Notes and References

1. Book: Stone . George Cameron . A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects . 1999 . Dover Publications . Mineola, N.Y . 978-0-486-40726-5 . 456.
2. Web site: Moplah (sword) Mandarin Mansion . www.mandarinmansion.com . en.
3. Book: Stone . George Cameron . A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects . 1999 . Dover Publications . Mineola, N.Y . 978-0-486-40726-5 . 456.
4. Book: Stone . George Cameron . A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects . 1999 . Dover Publications . Mineola, N.Y . 978-0-486-40726-5 . 454.
5. Book: Stone . George Cameron . A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects . 1999 . Dover Publications . Mineola, N.Y . 978-0-486-40726-5 . 456.
6. Book: Stone . George Cameron . A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects . 1999 . Dover Publications . Mineola, N.Y . 978-0-486-40726-5 . 456.
7. Web site: Moplah (sword) Mandarin Mansion . www.mandarinmansion.com . en.