Nice Yali hilted bronze dagger from South India Mysore Deccan

A nice brass hilted Yali hilted dagger from the Deccan probably Hyderabad or Mysore. The hilt nicely cast and chiselled with the monsters head, the handguard formed as a loop. The blade of Arab origin and original to the piece, Arab jambiyas were popular in the Deccan region of South India for a very long period largely as a result of the close trading relationship, and local Arab populations in certain areas, mainly from the Yemen. This dagger retains its original velvet covered sheath with some old wear. indo persian