Karava of Sri Lanka

Assorted Rajput weapons from the sub-continent

A mounted gun from Sri Lanka

A dagger (kinissa) from the Kandyan period

The Battle flag of the kandyan Kingdom showing the 5 weapons and the Battle Drum (Davunde)

An ancient Karava flag showing the four fold army

Royal insignia of the Karawe caste from a illustration done in 1870 illustrates the Trident and Sword

A Karava flag showing Indra the god of the Khsatriyas armed with a sword and spear. Two white shields (Sak paliha), symbols of royalty, flank the elephant.

Two inscribed swords that belonged to Karava Kings. Their descriptive plaques disappeared soon after hey were gifted to the Colombo National museum and haven't been replaced todate. Whilst the swords of Karava kings languish in the Colombo museum without a descriptive plaque, it is extremely interesting to also note that a sword presented to Nugawela Rate Mahattaya by the British in 1932 has been purchased by the Colombo Museum on 21^st June 1977 and is exhibited with the names of the original owner and the son who sold it. This Nugawela sword is displayed very prominently along with the royal regalia of the last king who was deposed in 1815. The purchase appears to be one of the final acts of British Radala Sirima Bandaranayike’s  government. The display of this modern sword misleads the public into believing that such Kandyans could wear swords during the time of Kandyan kings. They could not. Even the highest Adigars could only wear a short knife as part of their ceremonial dress.

Illukkole Daggers and Yuddha Ketta Battle axes

The Crest of the ancient Karawa family Thakurarthadeva Adithya Guardiyawasam Lindamulage

Old Bows and Arrows

 Swords used for executing Chieftains

Decorative Swords

Battle Axes (Keteri) used for frontal attacks

Swords from the Dutch period

A canon from the Dutch Period