Kilij

Sword

For the Seljuk sultans of Rûm, see Kilij Arslan.

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Various kilij from the Hellenic War Museum (Athens, Greece) Ottoman kilij 19th century; this type with a short, broad blade is known as a "pala"; 27 in (69 cm) blade, 33 in (84 cm) total.

A kilij (from Turkish kılıç, literally "sword")[1] is a type of one-handed, single-edged and curved scimitar used by the Seljuk Empire, Timurid Empire, Mamluk Empire, Ottoman Empire, and other Turkic khanates of Eurasian steppes and Turkestan. These blades developed from earlier Turko-Mongol sabers that were in use in lands controlled or influenced by the Turkic peoples.

## History

[edit]

The upper sword appears to be an exaggerated parade piece or executioner's sword, the second down is typical of a later kilij, the third has the characteristics of an earlier kilij and the lowest one possibly has a later European-style blade. Imperial Armoury, Topkapi, Istanbul

### Etymology

[edit]

Most of Turkologists and linguists including Bican Ercilasun and Sevan Nişanyan think that it is derived from the Turkic root kıl- which means "to forge" or "to smith", with the diminutive suffix -ıç which creates kıl-ıç (roughly "ironwork", i.e. "sword"). Also one of the earliest mentions of the word was also recorded as kılıç (altun kurugsakımın kılıçın kesipen, an Old Turkic phrase from the Orkhon Inscriptions which was erected in 735 AD) in the age of Turkic Khaganate, instead of the other suggested Old Turkic reconstructed form of kırınç.[2] However, according to Turkish Language Association, the Turkish root verb kır- which means "to kill"[3] with the suffix -inç makes kır-ınç (instrument for killing) becomes kılınç, then kılıç, which is apparently not based on the earliest attested forms of the word.

The kilij became the symbol of power and kingdom. For example, Seljuk rulers carried the name Kilij Arslan (kılıç-arslan) means "sword-lion".

### Origins

[edit]

The Central Asian Turks and their offshoots began using curved cavalry swords beginning from the late Xiongnu period.[4] The earliest examples of curved, single edged Turkish swords can be found associated with the late Xiongnu and Kök-Turk empires.[5] These swords were made of pattern welded high carbon crucible steel, generally with long slightly curved blades with one sharp edge. A sharp back edge on the distal third of the blade known as yalman or yelman was introduced during this period.

Vienna, Treasury of the German Order. Ottoman sabres (17th century) Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry with a scabbarded kilij of Turkish manufacture (1812).

In the Early Middle Ages, the Turkic people of Central Asia came into contact with Middle Eastern civilizations through their shared Islamic faith. Turkic Ghilman slave-soldiers serving under the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates introduced kilij-type sabers to all of the other Middle Eastern cultures. Previously, Arabs and Persians used straight-bladed swords such as the earlier types of the Arab saif, takoba and kaskara.

During Islamizaton of the Turks, the kilij became more and more popular in the Islamic armies. When the Seljuk Empire invaded Persia and became the first Turkic Muslim political power in Western Asia, kilij became the dominant sword form. The Iranian (Persian) shamshir was created during the Turkic Seljuk Empire period of Iran/Persia.[6]

### Evolution of the Ottoman kilij

[edit]

The kilij as a specific type of sabre associated with the Ottoman Turks starts to appear historically from primarily the mid 15th century. One of the oldest known examples is attributed to Özbeg Khan, khaghan of the Golden Horde, from the early 14th century, and is currently on display in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.[7] The oldest surviving examples sport a long blade curving slightly from the hilt and more strongly in the distal half. The width of the blade stays narrow (with a slight taper) up until the last 30% of its length, at which point it flares out and becomes wider. This distinctive flaring tip is called a yalman "false edge", and it greatly adds to the cutting power of the sword. Ottoman sabres of the next couple of centuries were often of the Seljuk variety, though the native kilij form was also found; Iranian blades (that did not have the yalman) were fitted with Ottoman hilts. These hilts normally had slightly longer quillons to the guard, which was usually of brass or silver, and sported a rounded termination to the grips, usually made of horn, unlike that seen on Iranian swords (Iranian swords usually had iron guards and the grip terminated in a hook-shape often with a metal pommel sheathing). The finest mechanical Damascus and wootz steel were often used in making of these swords. In the classical period of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa, Damascus and the Derbent regions became the most famous swordsmithing centers of the empire. Turkish blades became a major export item to Europe and Asia.

In the late 18th century, though shamshirs continued to be used, the kilij underwent an evolution: the blade was shortened, became much more acutely curved, and was wider with an even deeper yalman. In addition to the flared tip, these blades have a distinct "T-shaped" cross section to the back of the blade. This allowed greater blade stiffness without an increase in weight. Because of the shape of the tip of the blade and the nature of its curvature the kilij could be used to perform the thrust; in this it had an advantage over the shamshir whose extreme curvature did not allow the thrust.[8] Some of these shorter kilij are also referred to as pala, but there does not seem to be a clear-cut distinction in nomenclature.

After the Auspicious Incident, the Turkish army was modernized in the European fashion and kilijs were abandoned for western-type cavalry sabers and smallswords. This change, and the introduction of industrialized European steels to Ottoman market, created a great decline in traditional swordsmithing. Civilians in the provinces and county militia (zeybeks in Western Anatolia, bashi-bazouks in the Balkan provinces), continued to carry hand-made kilijs as a part of their traditional dress. In the late 19th century, Sultan Abdul Hamid II's palace guards, the Ertuğrul Brigade, which was composed of nomadic Turks of Anatolia, carried traditional kilijs as a romantic-nationalistic revival of the earlier Ottoman Turkoman cavalry raiders. This sentiment continued after dethronement of the sultan by the nationalist Young Turks. High-ranking officer non-regulation dress saber of early 20th century was a modern composite of traditional kilij, "mameluke" and European cavalry saber.

### Adoption by Western armed forces

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Polish Karabela sabre, 17th century British Pattern 1831 sabre and scabbard. This particular sword is mid-Victorian and was retailed by J.B. Johnstone of London and Dublin, who were tailors and military outfitters. The blade retains almost all of its original mirror-polished finish

Sabres were known and used in eastern, and to a lesser extent central Europe from the time of the Magyar invasions, beginning in the 9th century (see the so-called Sabre of Charlemagne). Following the Ottoman invasion of Balkans, however, European armies were introduced to the kilij itself. The kilij first became popular with the Balkan nations and the Hungarian hussar cavalry after 15th century. Around 1670, the karabela (from Turkish word karabela: black bane) evolved, based on Janissary kilij sabres; it became the most popular sword-form in the Polish army. During 17th and 18th centuries, curved sabers that evolved from Turkish kilij were widespread throughout Europe.

The Ottomans' historical dominance of the region ensured the use of the sword by other nations, notably the Mamluks in Egypt. During the Napoleonic Wars, the French conquest of Egypt brought these swords to the attention of the Europeans. This type of sabre became very popular for light cavalry officers, in both France and Britain, and became a fashionable sword for senior officers to wear. In 1831 the "Mameluke", as the sword was now called, became a regulation pattern for British general officers (the 1831 Pattern, still in use today). The American victory over the rebellious forces in the citadel of Tripoli in 1805 during the First Barbary War, led to the presentation of bejewelled examples of these swords to the senior officers of the US Marines. Officers of the US Marine Corps still use a mameluke pattern dress sword. Although some genuine Turkish kilij sabres were used by Westerners, most "mameluke sabres" were manufactured in Europe; their hilts were very similar in form to the Ottoman prototype, but their blades, even when an expanded yelman was incorporated, tended to be longer, narrower and less curved than those of the true kilij.

## Terminology

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Terminology and names of parts of a classical era Turkish kilij

The Turkish language has numerous terminology describing swords, swordsmithing, parts and types of blades. Below is listed some of the terminology about names of the main parts of a kilij and scabbard in order of the term, literal translation of the Turkish word, and its equivalent in English terminology of swords.

Term | Literal translation | Equivalent in English sword terminology – Meaning

|
|

Taban | Base | Overall metal body of the sword that is composed of tang and blade
Namlu | Barrel | Blade
Kabza | Hilt | Hilt
Balçak |  | Guard
Siperlik | Cover | Quillion
Kabza aşırması |  | Knuckle bow
Kuyruk or tugru | Tail | Tang
Boyun | Neck (of the handle) | Grip
Kabza başı | Head of the handle | Pommel
Kabza tepeliği |  | Pommel cap
Perçin or çij | Rivet | Rivet
Zıh | Frieze or border | Thin metal border that covers intersections of handle and tang
Ağız or yalım | Mouth | Edge
Sırt | Back | Back
Yiv, oluk or göl | Chamfer, groove or lake | Fuller
Set | Bank | Ridge
Yalman |  | Double edged end section of the blade
Mahmuz | Spur | Martle
Namlu yüzü | Face of the blade | Flat of the blade
Süvre or uç | Point or tip | Point
Kın | Scabbard | Scabbard
Ağızlık | Mouthpiece | Locket
Çamurluk | Bumper | Chape
Balçak oyuğu | Guard cavity | Section of the locket where handguard fits in
Bilezik | Bangle | Ring mount
Taşıma halkası | Carrying ring | Suspension ring
Gövde | Body | Main part of the scabbard

## See also

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* Dao (sword)
* Turko-Mongol sabers
* Mameluke sword – a derivative of the kilij
* Pulwar
* Saif
* Shamshir
* Tulwar
* Yatagan – another distinctive Turkish sword
* Sabre
* Szabla
* Scimitar

## Notes

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1. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged - kilij entry
2. ^ "kılıç". Nişanyan Dictionary – Etymological Dictionary of Contemporary Turkish (in Turkish). Retrieved 2 September 2021.
3. ^ http://www.tdk.gov.tr/index.php?option=com_bts&arama=kelime&guid=TDK.GTS.59760a515c1491.98927628[permanent dead link]
4. ^ Çoruhlu, Yaşar "Erken Devir Türk Sanatı" p.74–75
5. ^ Ögel, Bahaaddin, "Türk Kılıcının Menşei ve Tekamülü Hakkında"
6. ^ Khorasani, Manouchehr, "Arms and Armour from Iran"
7. ^ "The Culture of the Golden Horde". The State Hermitage Museum. 2019.
8. ^ Stone and LaRocca, pp. 356–357.

## References

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* Stone, G. C. and LaRocca, D. J. (1999). A glossary of the construction, decoration and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times. Courier Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-40726-8.
* ÖGEL, Bahaeddin, "Türk Kılıcının Menşe ve Tekamülü Hakkında", A.Ü. DTCF Dergisi, 6, 1948
* The Kilij and Shamshir. Turkish and Persian sabers[usurped]

Look up kilij in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

* v
* t
* e

Sword types and classifications by region and historical era

* Swordsmanship
* Thrusting swords (Edgeless)
* Curved swords (Single-edge)
* Straight swords (Double-edge)

Europe|

| Prehistory|

* Bronze Age sword
* Khopesh

|

Ancient period|

* Iron Age sword
* Harpe
* Gladius
* Xiphos
* Kopis/Falcata
* Makhaira
* Spatha
* Sica
* Rhomphaia
* Falx

Post-classical period|

* Migration Period sword
* Viking sword
* Arming sword
* Longsword
* Claymore
* Falchion

Early modern period|

* Zweihänder
* Spada da lato
* Katzbalger
* Cinquedea
* Estoc
* Espada ropera
* Swiss degen
* Colhona
* Karabela

Late modern period|

* Rapier
* Sabre
* Cutlass
* Basket-hilted sword
* Small sword
* Hunting sword
* Pistol sword
* Shashka
* Spadroon
* Sword bayonet

China|

| Ancient|

* Jian
* Dao

|

Medieval|

* Hook sword
* Zhanmadao

Ming – Qing|

* Liuyedao
* Wodao
* Changdao
* Yanmaodao

Modern|

* Dadao
* Miaodao

Korea|

| Bronze Age – Gojoseon|

* Liaoning bronze dagger

|

Iron Age – Three Kingdom Era|

* Hwandudaedo

Goryeo and Joseon era|

* Bonguk geom
* Wungeom
* Four Tiger Sword

Japan|

| Yayoi – Nara periods|

* Chokutō
* Tsurugi

|

Heian – Kamakura periods|

* Tachi
* Ōdachi
* Kodachi
* Nagamaki
* Tantō

Muromachi – Edo periods|

* Wakizashi
* Katana

Meiji period and beyond|

* Guntō
* Iaitō
* Ninjatō
* Shikomizue

India|

| Ancient|

* Khanda
* Urumi
* Aruval

|

Medieval and modern|

* Firangi
* Kastane
* Talwar
* Pulwar
* Kayamkulam vaal
* Pata

Western and
Central Asia|

| Prehistory|

* Bronze Age sword
* Khopesh

|

Ancient period|

* Iron Age sword
* Acinaces
* Parthian Long Sword
* Xiphos
* Kopis/Falcata
* Sasanian Sword

Post-classical period|

* Arab sword
* Scimitar
* Shamshir
* Kilij
* Turko-Mongol sabre
* Yatagan
* Mameluke sword

Early modern period|

* Qama
* Kindjal

Indonesia|

| Early period|

* Mandau
* Niabor
* Parang
* Balato
* Gari
* Surik

|

Late period|

* Keris bahari
* Klewang
* Sundang
* Langgai tinggang
* Parang nabur
* Sikin Panjang

Philippines|

| Pre-colonial|

* Balasiong
* Bangkung
* Banyal
* Barong
* Batangas
* Bicuco
* Bolo
* Dahong palay
* Gayang
* Ginunting
* Gulok
* Kampilan
* Kalis
* Karambit
* Lahot
* Laring
* Panabas
* Parang
* Pirah
* Pinuti
* Sanduko (Binangon)
* Sansibar
* Sundang
* Susuwat
* Talibong (Garab)
* Utak
* Wasay

|

Colonial era|

* Balisword
* Espada y daga
* Hagibis
* Tenegre

Mainland
Southeast Asia|

| Classic stage|

* Dha

|

Post-Classic stage|

* Krabi–krabong

Cambodia|

* Preah Khan Reach

Thailand|

* Phra Saeng Khan Chai Si

Mesoamerica|

| Pre-Columbian era|

* Macuahuitl
* Macana

|

Africa|

| Ancient Egypt|

* Khopesh
* Acinaces

|

Mainland|

* Ida
* Kaskara
* Nimcha
* Flyssa
* Shotel
* Billao
* Takoba

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