Language: Hindi
Source: Secondary reference material

Description

Firaṅgī (फिरंगी) literally means "foreigner", based on the old word franc. It is used to describe European swords that are mounted in Indian hilts, usually Hindu basket hilts. Such swords were popular in north India and the Deccan in the 17th century and to some extent in the 18th century. The mounted blades could be either straightsword blades or curved sabers.

 

Firangi sword

A firangi sword with European saber blade.
Metropolitan Museum accession number 36.25.1316.

 

Etymology

From Old French franc. Doublet of franc.

Urdu firangī (فرنگی)
Persian farangi (فرنگی)
Arabic ʾifranjiyy (إفرنجي)

 

References
Philip S. Rawson; The Indian Sword. London, Herbert Jenkins. 1968. Page 43.

Do you have anything for sale?

I might be interested in buying it.

Contact me

A large gun with English flintlock mechanism, as favored by the Mirs of the Talpur court. In very good…

€7300,-

Based on the Dutch Beaumont mechanism, but with Indonesian twist forged barrel and golden inlays.

€5000,-

Signed: Ricky Milnes, India 44, Burma 44, Ramree 45.

€400,-

Built around an imported blade, with a human head shaped pommel.

€750,-

Using a possibly captured M1898 "klewang" blade.

€800,-

Peculiar shield with catching hook, used by the Santali people of Bengal.

€2000,-