Historical evidence of warriors wielding two swords simultaneously in Indian battlefields is abundant. However, some descriptions must be viewed critically, as they may represent poetic or mythological glorification rather than factual accounts. The depiction of fighting in such a heroic, non-standard manner naturally lends itself to embellishment.
Одна из главных движущих исторических сил в истории Индии раннего Нового времени – маратхи – в процессе впечатляющей борьбы за создание своего государства, явили множество примеров героизма и самопожертвования.
The Marathas, one of the primary driving forces in early modern India, demonstrated remarkable heroism and sacrifice during their struggle for independence. They were among the first to challenge the mighty Mughal Empire and played a dominant role in the decline of that Turkic dynasty.
At the outset of their campaign, the Marathas confronted the Bijapur Sultanate, their immediate neighbor. In a particularly challenging episode of this confrontation in 1660, Maratha General Baji Prabhu Deshpande shielded Shivaji’s retreat from pursuing Bijapur forces.
Occupying a narrow mountain pass subsequently named Pavan Khind, meaning “Sacred Pass”, Deshpande held off the Sultanate’s vastly superior army with only a few hundred Maratha soldiers. They maintained their defensive position until prearranged cannon shots confirmed that Shivaji and the main Maratha forces had reached the safety of a nearby fort, which they captured from the besieging enemy.
Despite being wounded, the General fought on, distinguishing himself as an exceptional warrior. Only a handful of Marathas survived, but the Sultanate suffered thousands of casualties. According to tradition, Deshpande fought with two swords during this heroic stand.
By 1665, a complex triangular conflict had emerged among the Marathas, Mughals, and Bijapur Sultanate, with shifting alliances. During this period, Mughal and Sultanate forces united against Shivaji. Mughal troops under Rajput General Jai Singh besieged Fort Purandar. When Mughal cannons breached the walls, Maratha General Murarbaji Deshpande led the defense from the front, proving himself an exceptional swordsman. After rejecting offers to surrender, he died heroically, charging into enemy ranks.
Today, the General’s monument at Fort Purandar depicts him with two swords. This disastrous campaign forced Shivaji to accept peace terms, surrendering Fort Purandar and twenty-three other forts to the Mughals.
The peace between Shivaji and Aurangzeb ended in 1670. Aurangzeb, occupied with Afghan conflicts, had reduced his Deccan army, and many released soldiers (Indian armies then consisting largely of mercenaries) joined Maratha forces. Seizing this opportunity, Shivaji resumed hostilities and recovered most of his lost territories.
During this campaign, Maratha General Tanaji Malusare died bravely while assaulting Fort Sinhagad, defended by Mughal troops under a Rajput commander. Popular legend holds that when his shield broke, the General drew a second sword and fought with both. However, more prosaic accounts suggest he wrapped cotton fabric from his turban or sash around his left hand in the traditional Indian manner, a technique commonly used in both combat and large carnivore hunting.
Folk traditions consistently depict these Maratha heroes fighting with two swords. The very prevalence of such accounts in heroic narratives indicates that dual-wielding was a known and feasible combat skill. This is further supported by documented military practices, particularly among the Marathas, who influenced combat techniques throughout Central and Northwestern India.
Other great Indian warriors, the Rajputs, maintained traditional upbringing that emphasized producing capable warriors. From birth, relatives sought signs predicting whether a young Rajput would excel in battle. Left-handedness and ambidexterity were considered favorable indicators. Naturally, weapons training included the use of two swords simultaneously, regardless of natural aptitude.
Rani Lakshmi Bai, heroine of the Sepoy Mutiny, made the courageous decision to resist the British East India Company through armed confrontation. Like many Rajput women, she underwent traditional military training. Accounts describe her practicing in the palace park, often seen galloping while brandishing two swords and holding the reins with her teeth. According to legend, she fought this way in her final battle of 1858, dressed in men’s clothing with her young son tied to her back. A British soldier from the 8th Hussar Regiment shot her with a carbine, unaware of her identity. Subsequently, the British promoted an alternative “ennobled” version of events, claiming she wounded herself with her own saber and the soldier shot her in self-defense.
The Second Anglo-Maratha War’s pivotal battle, known as “Monson’s Retreat,” occurred in 1804 and became one of the British army’s classic defeats. British East India Company forces under Colonel Monson comprising Bengal sepoy infantry and irregular cavalry, including Rajputs from the Kota Principality invaded Indore territory pursuing the army of Maratha ruler Yashwant Rao I. When the Maratha ruler turned to attack, Colonel Monson ordered a retreat, separating infantry from cavalry, which was meant to cover their escape.
For Yashwant Rao I’s numerically superior army, consisting mainly of light Maratha cavalry and Pindari units, destroying the rearguard proved simple. The rearguard, commanded by Irish mercenary Captain James Lukan, included 1,200 irregular cavalry, two cannons, and 500 Rajputs. As British troops crossed the river and Maratha forces closed in on the retreating battalions, Captain Lukan dismounted his squad and deployed his cannons. When ammunition ran out, he attempted to rejoin Monson’s retreating battalions. Light Maratha cavalry prevented this, prompting Lukan and his Rajput supporters to launch a counterattack. Nearly all perished, including Lukan and the Rajput leaders. The Rajputs’ courageous stand so impressed the British that they later granted additional land to the Kota Principality’s governor as reward and gratitude. Shortly after these events, a miniature was created depicting the Rajputs’ feat. It shows Apji Amar Singh I, ruler of Palaitha (part of the Kota Principality), attacking Yashwant Rao I’s General Mohammad Khan Bangash, who sits on an elephant. Notably, the Rajputs in the illustration wield two swords.
