South Indian stone relief

[rand]

Hey Jens,

Have to agree on this being a great topic.

Reguarding the dagger held high in your pictured example I have a difference of opinion as it seems to me to have the side guards of a katar and also held at the ninety degree angle as the katar is. Also, for this dagger/sword to be held at this angle if it had an inline handle (not katar type), the wrist would need to be at least a 45 degree angle and that is not represented in the stone relief.

Also see the non straight angle of the daggers blade you refer to. We know katars most often have straight blades, often with armor piercing tips, but there also also ones with curved blades and multiple blades. What this may be is an example to a katar with a blade more akin to Vijjayangara and Nayaka periods such as usually seen on a chianum or even khanjarli. With the Indian endless variety of weapons this is a possibility.

There is a reference of a Raja fighting with two pata's (florentine) untill one of his arms was severed, believe he was on horseback. Is also a women a Hindu woman known to fight with two swords.

Also notice the heavy, thick looking blade in the stone relief. If it is indeed a thick bladed dagger representation tht would be unusual. Do you think it could represent a armor piercing tipped katar also?