North Indian sword made for a youth. The blade is curved and single edged. The hilt is made from copper gilt, engraved and chased with flowering foliage, and probably comes from the city of Bhuj.
Weapons were habitually worn by young Indian princes as evidenced by the wealth of 19th century (and later) portrait photographs by such practitioners as Bourne and Shepherd established in 1863 (and still in business).
fighting