This appears to be in the range of parrying type arms of India, much like the madu.
The thugs (thuggee) actually did not use weapons, but carried out their depredations using a knotted scarf to strangle victims. Their beliefs prohibited shedding of blood. They did however use a mysterious (as far as the lore ascribed to it) pick axe to bury bodies, but again not used as a weapon. Pretty intriguing history though, so easy to consider such an unusual item to these mysterious 'phansigar' (=stranglers).
The spikes reminded me of this guy.
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