Armor, Weapons, and the Like
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Even in places that were not technically armories, there were
often antique swords, scabbards, shields, and so forth on display.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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Another collection of swords on display. Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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This is the only authentic "bed of nails" I saw in India. It looks
extremely uncomfortable.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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Here's a nice collection of spears in the armory. Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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Most of these (besides the one tomahawk-like weapon) are Katar
dagger blades. Here and there, one would find a dagger that
looked similar to these, but with an internal mechanical apparatus
that would cause the blade to spring apart along the middle when the
two bars of the handle were squeezed together. (I don't think there
are any in this collection.) I was told the basic move was stab,
squeeze, twist. I leave further details (entrails?) to your
imagination.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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These swords don't look like they need to spring apart to do plenty of damage.
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I was quite fond of how these shields, already quite appealing in
their individual decoration, were artistically arranged on the wall.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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Likewise, here is a mandala of daggers and (apparently) powder horns.
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Bows and arrows and crossbow bolts, oh my! (Does anyone actually ever
get shot at with fleur-de-lis and crescent-moon shaped arrows???)
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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I tried to get some close-up shots of the crossbow bolts, but the
glare kept getting in the way.
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Here were swords of every shape I could imagine, and at least one I
couldn't. I've heard of two handed swords before, but never one where
the hands needed to be on two different soldiers.
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Here is another mandala -- shield and Katar daggers. I believe
this armory had by far the most creative displays of weaponry that we
saw in India.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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This armory also had types of weapons I didn't see anywhere else in
India, such as these maces.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner.
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Suit of chain mail in the Junagarth Fort museum.
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Other armor parts including bracers, chest plate, and helmet from 16th
century (?) Indian armor.
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An older an more ornamental suit of armor. Junagarth Fort museum.
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Indian military dress uniforms from ~late 19th century. Junagarth Fort
museum.
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One of a very small number of remaining World War One Sopwith Camel
airplanes (think Snoopy and the Red Baron). The Junagarth Fort museum
says there are only two, but the web estimates more like seven.
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A side view of the Sopwith Camel. Junagarth Fort museum.