Concealed or not is ultimately irrelevant Eric.
The bagh nakh is held in the hand and basically mimics a tiger's paw and claws.
The weird thing we're arguing about is likely held like a buckler but maybe also like a gauntlet, used to block, catch enemy's sword, parry, stab, similar to European parrying daggers and sword catchers. The jamadhars with side blades are a similar concept, as are some of the madu. Something to block/parry with, that also has an offensive element to stab or cut with when the opportunity arises.
If anything, this reminds me of Santal shields or even European Renaissance lantern shields.
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