MUGHAL ARROWHEAD, 16TH-EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Forged iron 4 1/8” length. The point of waisted form with angular chisel tip medially ridged to the angle base only. Flared foot and tapered tang. In Indian Arms and Armour, D N Pant states “The shape of Indian arrows varies almost without limit”. Yet, as life depended on them, the shapes must have been carefully designed for the intended purposes. This example delivers a chisel like force concentration at the point suggesting capability for shattering hard brittle targets. It possibly was used in demonstrations of skill where ceramic or glass target were shattered. Alternatively, some battle field function may have been intended.