Description

An interesting set of five matching Indian arrows. The style of workmanship, shaft decoration, and matching lengths suggest they are from the same set but they do exhibit a variety of different heads.

Two of the arrows have sharp points with facetted heads, of octagonal cross-section. These arrows are fairly heavy and seem to be optimized for piercing mail armor. This may be the type of arrow that is called tarah-i-khār, thorn-shaped.¹

Two are leaf-shaped arrowheads, both of slightly different design. Such heads are best against very lightly unprotected targets or for small game hunting.

The last arrowhead is the most peculiar of them all, as it resembles a single-edged knife blade with a clipped tip. It is, by all means, a practical point, but the very deliberate way it resembles a knife does not seem to add to its functionality and will probably have symbolic meaning instead. ²

There are a number of washers behind each tanged arrowhead, 5 larger iron ones and 6 narrow brass ones. The heads are mounted on reed shafts.

The tails are decorated with delicate geometric patterns. Each shaft has remains of three feathers each, and ends in a typical Indian bulbous nock.

Dating/Attribution

They came with a handwritten label saying Marathi, 17th-18th century. Although I can't confirm the validity of this, I don't see a reason to dismiss the Marathi attribution either.

The fit of the head to the shaft and the style of decoration of these arrows suggests Central India, probably 18th or early 19th century.

Conclusion

An interesting set of arrows, presenting four different types of heads used by the same archer. The purpose of the slender heads seems obvious, that of the stranger single edged head remains to be ascertained.

Notes
1. See glossary article: Teer (arrows). Khar (خار) means "thorn" in Persian.)
2. The same can be said of the katar-shaped arrows that are seen sometimes.