An urumi (Malayalam: uṟumi; Sinhalese: ethunu kaduwa; Hindi: āra) is a sword with a flexible, whip-like blade, originating in modern-day Kerala in the Indian subcontinent. It is thought to have existed from as early as the Sangam period. [~600BC-300AD]
The urumi is handled like a flail but requires less strength since the blade combined with centrifugal force is sufficient to inflict injury. As with other “soft” weapons, urumi wielders learn to follow and control the momentum of the blade with each swing, thus techniques include spins and agile manoeuvres.
These long-reaching spins make the weapon particularly well suited to fighting against multiple opponents. When not in use, the urumi is worn coiled around the waist like a belt, with the handle at the wearer’s side like a conventional sword.
But if they did that, a light infantry squad would grab their rifles, run around to the side of the cannon squad, and completely destroy them.
“Thaddiffer, I do say, what are those Frenchmen doing across the hill?”
“My dear Billiam, I believe they’re attempting to flank us. Shall we preemptively prepare a ceaseless 500 grape shot barrage to render them, the landscape, and everything else within a quarter mile into an unidentifiable vapor?”
“No, no, we shan’t be rude, we simply must offer them first volley. Anyone for tea in the meantime?”
*raucous agreement*
(Yes, I know what you’re referencing but this is magic “everyone gets a cannon” canon)