Description

Originating in present-day Afghanistan, the pulouar is a saber that is mostly associated with the Pashtuns.

Stylistically it holds the middle between Persian sabers, most notably the quillons, while the bulged grip and disc pommel remind of similar features on Indian talwar hilts.

The blades, in turn, vary from Persian to Indian style but also often exhibit Eastern European features.

A very fine Afghan pulouar

Afghan police in Kabul, photo by John Burke, 1879.
Source: The British Library