The development of the Indian katar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 27th September 2015, 12:45 PM

I note from readtiger.com an interesting weapon description

Quote"Daggers and knives.

These were of various shapes and kinds, each with a separate name.

Name Description
Katara or Katari A lightweight thrusting knife similar to a poignard and peculiar to India. Made with a hilt whose two branches extended along the arm so as to protect the hand and part of the arm, this weapon had a thick blade with two cutting edges having a breadth of 3 inches (76 mm) at the hilt and a solid point 1 inch (25 mm) wide. The blade could not be bent and was so stiff that nothing but a cuirass could stop it. The hilt had a cross-bar at right angles to the blade, by which the weapon was grasped such that it could only be used for a forward thrust. Some were slightly curved whilst others resembled a fork or were two-bladed. Blades were of various patterns with a length that varied from 9 to 17.5 inches (230 to 440 mm). Push dagger Deccan and Hindustan
Jamadhar This had the same handle as a katara but with a broad and straight blade, while the katara blade could be either straight or curved. The jamadhar katari had a straight blade and a handle held in the same way as a table-knife or sword".Unquote.

In addition for more detail on style by picture see http://mys.yoursearch.me/images/?cat...%20dagger&p=13

The picture below is from the Moghul Period.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

27th September 2015, 12:45 PM	#25
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I note from readtiger.com an interesting weapon description Quote"Daggers and knives. These were of various shapes and kinds, each with a separate name. Name Description Katara or Katari A lightweight thrusting knife similar to a poignard and peculiar to India. Made with a hilt whose two branches extended along the arm so as to protect the hand and part of the arm, this weapon had a thick blade with two cutting edges having a breadth of 3 inches (76 mm) at the hilt and a solid point 1 inch (25 mm) wide. The blade could not be bent and was so stiff that nothing but a cuirass could stop it. The hilt had a cross-bar at right angles to the blade, by which the weapon was grasped such that it could only be used for a forward thrust. Some were slightly curved whilst others resembled a fork or were two-bladed. Blades were of various patterns with a length that varied from 9 to 17.5 inches (230 to 440 mm). Push dagger Deccan and Hindustan Jamadhar This had the same handle as a katara but with a broad and straight blade, while the katara blade could be either straight or curved. The jamadhar katari had a straight blade and a handle held in the same way as a table-knife or sword".Unquote. In addition for more detail on style by picture see http://mys.yoursearch.me/images/?cat...%20dagger&p=13 The picture below is from the Moghul Period. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 27th September 2015 at 01:08 PM.