Hindu basket hilt Kora

The ‘kora’ is often regarded as the national sword of Nepal and is therefore most closely associated with the Nepalese and Himalayan regions. The type was, however, also known in neighbouring areas, including parts of North and North-East India. It is encountered in both martial and ritual contexts: as a weapon carried by Ghurka’s in battle, and as an implement used in sacrificial ceremonies, notably during the annual Maha Navami offerings held as part of the Dashain festival. Its forward-weighted blade gives the weapon a powerful cutting action, making it well suited to decisive blows in combat as well as to the ritual decapitation of buffalo. Our example: A 19th-century Indian ‘kora’, distinguished by its broad, forward-curving blade and characteristic flared tip. The blade is of heavy, single-edged form, widening towards the upper section and terminating in a pronounced hatchet-like profile. This distinctive blade shape is associated with the ‘kora’, a sword type used across North India and the Himalayan regions, including Nepal and adjoining areas. This example retains a finely decorated steel hilt with silver ‘koftgari’ decoration. The guard and langet are worked with scrolling floral motifs, dotted grounds and bordered panels, the silver inlay standing in strong contrast against the darkened steel surface. The hilt is of particular interest, as it differs from the form more commonly encountered on ‘kora’ swords. Standard examples usually have a relatively simple grip construction, often with a straight cylindrical or slightly waisted grip, a disc- or cup-shaped pommel, and a plain or only modestly shaped guard. By contrast, our present sword has a more elaborate Hindu-basket style hilt, with a shaped guard, pronounced langet and guard.