A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

  • A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao

A Rare Garo Mil- Am Dao
Garo / Kuki / Naga
Bengal British Raj (Garo Hills- Naga Hills, Assam Region, India)
Mid- 19th century
Steel, hide, hair (cow or yak tail)
Blade: 55,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 75,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 253

Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2021)
Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2019)
Ex. Sofe Design: Richardson, Texas, USA (2018)
Ex. California Private Collection

A rare sword from the Garo Hills region of Northeastern India used by the Garo, Kuki, and Nagas. Many of them date to the mid- 19th century during British Colonial campaigns in British Bengal.

Wrought from a single piece of steel, of straight tang with a spatulate pommel, blade heavily angled at the forte, then straight, double- edged with a broadened and cusp tip. The guard composed of a steel rod passing through a punched aperture in the tang and fitted with tufts of remaining hair (cow or yak tail). Missing the rattan hand wrap on hilt and bamboo tubes on the cross guard. A rare and heavy fighting sword from the (Garo) hill warriors known as "Matgriks".

Photo 6: Unknown.
Photo 7: A Garo man in war dress. Playfair, The Garos. Page 57. 1909.