Barcha
Encyclopedia
Barsha is a type of lance
with a wooden handle, once common in South Asia
(the word itself is Hindi
). They were common in the 16th century.
The weapon found itself very handy with the emerging Marathas in early seventeenth century. It was lighter to carry in the mountainous terrain and easier to manufacture. A skilled spearman (bhalaeet) could keep a heavily armed foot soldier at bay. With his slashing and thrusting motions, he could inflict much damage while surrounded by a number of swordsmen. The illustrious use of this weapon is recorded in the last stages of third battle of Panipat by the Maratha general Sadashivrao Bhau.(See : Third battle of Panipat) . Another version of this weapon is the Ballam, a throwing spear effectively used to bring down infantry and cavalrymen at a distance.
Lance
A Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the...
with a wooden handle, once common in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
(the word itself is Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
). They were common in the 16th century.
The weapon found itself very handy with the emerging Marathas in early seventeenth century. It was lighter to carry in the mountainous terrain and easier to manufacture. A skilled spearman (bhalaeet) could keep a heavily armed foot soldier at bay. With his slashing and thrusting motions, he could inflict much damage while surrounded by a number of swordsmen. The illustrious use of this weapon is recorded in the last stages of third battle of Panipat by the Maratha general Sadashivrao Bhau.(See : Third battle of Panipat) . Another version of this weapon is the Ballam, a throwing spear effectively used to bring down infantry and cavalrymen at a distance.