Talwar The talwar ( Hindi : तलवार ; Urdu , Pashto , Sindhi : تلوار ; Bengali : তলোয়ার ; Punjabi : ਤਲਵਾਰ ) is a type of curved sword or sabre from South Asia , and is found in the modern countries of India , Pakistan and Bangladesh . The word is also spelled " talwaar " and " tulwar " . History . The talwar originated alongside other curved swords such as the Arab saif , the Persian shamshir , the Turkish kilij and the Afghan pulwar , all such swords being originally derived from earlier curved swords developed in Turkic Central Asia . The use of talwar became more widespread under the Mughals , who were of Turko - Mongol origins . The blade profile of the British Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre is similar to some examples of the talwar , particularly in the widening of the blade near the tip and the increasing curvature of the distal half of the blade , and expert opinion has suggested that the talwar may have contributed to the design of the British sabre . Characteristics . Though strongly influenced by Middle Eastern swords , the typical talwar has a wider blade than the shamshir , and lacks the expanded " yelman " ( false - edge ) of the kilij . Late examples often had European - made blades , set into distinctive Indian - made hilts . The hilt of the typical talwar is termed a " disc hilt " from the prominent disc - shaped flange surrounding the pommel . The pommel often has a short spike projecting from its centre , sometimes pierced for a cord to secure the sword to the wrist . The hilt incorporates a simple cross - guard which frequently has a slender knucklebow attached . The hilt is usually entirely of iron , though brass and silver hilts are found , and is connected to the tang of the blade by a very powerful adhesive resin . More ornate examples of the talwar often show silver or gilt decoration in a form called " koftigari " . Use . The talwar was used by both cavalry and infantry . The grip of the talwar is cramped and the prominent disc of the pommel presses into the wrist if attempts are made to use it to cut like a conventional sabre . These features of the talwar hilt result in the hand having a very secure and rather inflexible hold on the weapon , enforcing the use of variations on the very effective " draw cut " . The fact that the talwar does not have the kind of radical curve of the shamshir indicates that it could be used for thrusting as well as cutting purposes . Unlike some similar blades which have a very radical curve at the lower half of the blade - which make them very good slashing weapons but limit their use as a thrusting or cutting blades - the talwar can be used effectively for all three purposes either by mounted warrior or by foot soldier . The blades of some examples of the Talwar widen towards the tip . This increases the momentum of the distal portion of the blade when used to cut ; when a blow was struck by a skilled warrior , limbs could be amputated and persons decapitated . The spike attached to the pommel could be used for striking the opponent in extreme close quarter circumstances when it was not always possible to use the blade . The talwar is held with fore finger wrapping around the lower cross guard . In culture . The weapon is still used for talwar zani or matam e talwar , ( Arabic : tatbir ) Shiite Muslim self - flagellation , on 10th of Muharram , marking the martydom of Imam Hussain . Today , the word talwar has a literal meaning of " sword " or " dagger " in the majority of languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent .