Kirk Nurduban Sosun Patah
Full Description:
A rare Indian sword Sosun Patah, which is a Persian, Arabic and Urdu term meaning ‘Lily Leaf’4 referring to the shape of the blade, also known as Kopis form. This example is what Rawson (1968) refers to as a Sosun Patah of Islamic form (the Rajput form having a more angled blade with wider belly). His classification refers to the theory that this sword is directly influenced by the Turkish Yataghan.
The elegantly downward curved blade has a T-section back, and is forged from fine wootz steel. These highly sought after and important swords are often forged from the best quality steel, and this shows dark (kirk) wootz with contrasting silver and black circles and spirals. In a further demonstration of the importance of this sword the blade falls into a category of a more specific type, known as Kirk Nurduban, or Muhammed’s ladder [also the ladder of the Prophet Muhammad]. A variant considered by some as the most highly regarded, sometimes referred to as a blade of forty steps. It is characterised by transversely aligned distortions (like the rungs of a ladder) within the wootz pattern. The rungs are created mechanically while the blade is still hot, striking it with a chisel and hammer, forcing the crystalline structure to align into the straight lines we see here at regular intervals.
The iron hilt is covered in fine gold koftagari decoration of floral patterns set in large reticulated circles, with a nicely pierced and cut pommel tag in a Persian style, and a sweeping knuckle bow with bulbous finial. A contemporary wooden scabbard is covered with light green silk velvet.