“Cut with a Bunnoo sword, of what use then to strap the wound?”
_Note._—The natives of the East often worship their swords and weapons,
and it is known especially to be common in the Northern districts of
India, and also among the Mahomedans in the Malay Peninsula (vide
Crooke, and M^cNair’s “Perak and the Malays”, page 247). It is indeed a
sort of fetish, and a belief that some mysterious power lurks within
them.
In a village in the Jhelum district, there lived a noted ironsmith of
the name of Aruf, who was famed for his sword blades, and the blades
were termed Arfi, after his name.
Before anyone purchased a sword from him he would take a ramrod from a
matchlock, and by a particular cut he would sever it in two, saying,
“If it will cut iron, surely it will kill any man.”
He was so proud of his power that his daughter thought to humble him,
so she asked if he would demonstrate to her how he made the wonderful
cut. He agreed, and she, secreting behind her a small cane sought
occasion to balk him. Just as he was making the cut she reached forth
the cane, and he missed the correct angle of the cut and failed, “See,”
she said, “it is easy to be proud of your sword-blades and to say that
they will kill anyone, but how if an enemy should balk you as I have
done? Then behold the result!”
In the district they have many kinds of swords, but some of the
principal are the “Foulâdee,” the “Taygâ,” the “Sirôhhee,” and the
“Sikaylâh.” These are all curved in the blade. They have a straight
sword which they call a “Saif.”
The “Sirôhhee” is of polished steel, and rather brittle.
_Note._—There is a story told in the district that when “thuggism” was
at its height, young men used to be decoyed to a retired spot in the
jungles, where a most fascinating and beautiful “Thugin” resided. She
had a native sort of seat, placed over a deep dry well; and though to
all outward appearance it was firm and reliable, yet when any weight
was put upon it, it suddenly gave way, and the unfortunate victim was
sent to the bottom, where he was afterwards killed and robbed. Part of
the proceeds went to the goddess “Kali,” and the remainder was divided
amongst the gang.
Once a young Sipahi succeeded in evading the trap, and recovering
himself he was attacked on all sides by thugs. Drawing his “Sirôhhee”
he made a cut or two at them, but it suddenly snapped in his hand. He
was, however, fleet of foot, and managed to escape.
Telling his friends of his adventures, he said, by way of caution,
Bandh Sirôhhee Bandho do
Bandh Sikaylâh to phir akela.