Chiselled Steel Tulwar Hilt

Deccan, Indian, 18th-19th century
18cm high, 11cm wide
Stock No.: A4510

+44 (0)20 7937 4422

This steel tulwar hilt has a disc shaped pommel, connected to a pommel spike of small spherical shape. Below the pommel is the elegantly curved grip, then the quillon on each side below the grip. The hilt is generously carved with not only inscriptions within cartouches but also floral and foliage decorations. The inscription and decorative elements are combined organically to cover the entire surface on the hilt.
The area under the pommel as well as both sides of the hilt repeat the same text, the prayer (du‘a) Nād-e Alī.
َنا ِد َعلِـ ْی صغیر
ِبۡسِم ِّٰاللهال َّرۡحٰمِنال َّرِحۡیم
َناِد َعلًِیا َّمظـَہَرالَعَجآی ِبَتجْدهُ َعْونالک
ِفی الّنو آ ٔیِب ُکّل َھم َّو َغّم َسینجلْی
ِبَعظَمِتکََیا ُمَحمُد
َوِبَوَلا َیِتکَ َیا َعلِی َیا َعلِی َیا َعلیِ
Call Ali, who is Manifestor of wonders, Thou shall surely find him helper in your difficulties, all grief and sorrow shall be removed. I submit my temporal wishes to Thee on whom I trust and always referred Thee to bestow fulfillment of temporal wishes. O! Having Thee bestowed support, O! Thee Appointed Wali, All grief and Sorrows will disappear, By Thee by Thy tremendousness O! Muhammad, - Blessings of Thee on Thy Apostle & descendants, By Thee by Thy granted Power & Authority of Wail, O! Ali, O Ali, O! Ali
The top side of the pommel disc as well as the spherical part of the pommel repeat the same text:
لا فتى إلا علي لا سيف إلا ذو الفقار
There is no hero like Ali; There is no sword like Zulfiqar.

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