A fine Indian Bowie knife with stout blade formed with a double-edged point, recessed block-shaped forte , with presentation inscription on the back-edge, engraved steel hilt comprising recurved cross-piece, cylindrical ferrule, and octagonal cap pommel, decorated throughout with scrolling flowers , tapering octagonal grip formed of ivory. Blade is 9 1/2 inches long and 9 mm thick. Total length is 15 1/2. A group of similar knives were ordered by the ruler Mir Ali Khan. His Highness Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur (born 1815) was the ruler of Khairpur State, a large tract of land in upper Sind that remained independent when the country on both sides of the Indus fell under the control of the British Government. A similar knife of better quality is published in Rickett and Missilier splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris 1988, p.130 no.217. Another knife from this workshop was presented to the Prince of Wales on his visit to India in 1875-6. See P. Missillier and H. Ricketts, op.cit., p. 196.