150-200 yrs old Kachin Dha sword

[Virendra S Rathore]

This burmese beauty is registered as an antique. A fellow poster at DFI recently got it as family heirloom from his grandfather.
Larger resolution at -
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6736 ... b54c_b.jpg



Regards,
Virendra

[Vikram]

Most interesting,Virendra.Thanks for sharing. Could any of the experts please educate me on the design of this sword?Thanks.

Best-
Vikram

[lonetrigger]

EXQUISITE... Thanks for sharing the picture.

[Katana]

Beautiful! Seems to be recently restored. I also suspect that it could have come from the British after the Burmese Wars.

[Nitro Express]

Particular blade shape is known as Hua Tat Khong (concave tip).

The Dah has a lot of significance in Kachin culture and tradition.It is one of the most important tool that helps clear land for agriculture purpose, cut trees to provide timber for building houses and even marriage vows are exchanged with the Dah as a witness.

Katana - There are records of Kachin Nationalists fighting against Colonial Rule with their Dahs.It is possible that few of the Colonial Soldiers might have carried them back into the mainland.

During WWII Kachin Rangers who fought alongside the allied forces against the Japanese occupation of Burma were outfitted with such Dahs.



The Khamptis and Singphos residing in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh carry similar blades.

There is a whole chapter dedicated to such dahs in the book An Illustrated Handbook of Indian Arms.

Also check the following link -

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=AZ5G6pTRpXQC&pg=PA205&dq=kachin+Dah&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mGUhT_qpBZGyrAfV5vCYCA&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=kachin%20Dah&f=false

Nitro Express

[ribaalber]

Nitro..
this looks more a sword, but I would guess that the word Dao (for utility large knife) in Assamese and other neighboring language might have come fromt his word.. Looks the same design too (specially the blunt tip).. only the dao is slightly shorter and heftier

[Nitro Express]

Nitro..
this looks more a sword, but I would guess that the word Dao (for utility large knife) in assamese and other neighboring language might have come fromt his word.. Looks the same design too (specially the blunt tip).. only the dao is slightly shorter and heftier

Hello Ribaalber!
I too am of the same opinion.
A few of my mahouts who belong to the Khampti Tribe carry a shorter version of a similar blade.
Nitro Express

[Vikram]

Nitroexpress,

Thanks for the edification.

Ribaalber,

I have a Dao,though not as ornate as the one you posted, with me presented by a 5Assam Regiment NCO when I was doing my Army Attachment with them.


Best-
Vikram

[Nitro Express]

Nitroexpress,

Thanks for the edification.

Best-
Vikram

My pleasure Vikram!

Nitro Express

[Virendra S Rathore]

Beautiful! Seems to be recently restored. I also suspect that it could have come from the British after the Burmese Wars.

The tale in the poster's family is that the sword has seen World War II action.
Hoping that the moderators here would allow, I wanted to post the link of DFI thread where the chaps are chatting on it.
But unfortunately for past 3 days the site has been under continuous DDoS attacks again (2nd time in past 6 months) by our over friendly neighbors
Its a retaliation for DFI giving air to the Baloch freedom movement online. Anyways, ye sab to chalta rahega, on & off .. the forum will be back some time soon. I'll post some details then.
Edit: http://defenceforumindia.com/military-h ... amily.html

Regards,
Virendra

[Katana]

Aha! So my hunch was true! Kudos to the owner to have looked after it so lovingly.

[Yaj]

Wow! Thats a beauty!
Regards,
Yaj.

[shooter]

good one. I didnt realise IITs now offer MBA and one has to go through an enterance exam to study law.

[timmy]

A very elegant looking weapon, for sure, and an interesting discussion. Thanks for posting this.

[xl_target]

Virendra,
The dimensions of that Dha are very pleasing to the eye.
I'm not much of a sword person, but am very drawn to that.
It is indeed beautiful!