Indian Katar

Philip · 30th October 2006, 06:01 PM

Athena,
It appears to be a good, solid example. From its construction, it appears typical of the style popular in the northern part of India whose weapons culture was strongly influenced by the Mughals over a period of over 3 centuries. The tip is reinforced for penetrating chain mail. The blades on many of these are forged from a fine crystalline damascus steel (poulad jauhar / wootz) but your specimen has so much corrosion on it that you can't tell for sure with it in its current state. Your piece may have been decorated at one time with a gold or silver overlay, either solid or in floral designs. If you look carefully you might be able to see traces of it here and there.

Katars from the southern part of India are often made with the blade as a separate piece, rivetted between a pair of projecting flanges on the front of the hilt. Those types are often richly decorated with deep chiselling and pierced, filigree designs in the iron bars of the handle.

The katar was put in a scabbard that was worn in the sash around the waist. It was usually used in the left hand, with the saber or talwar held in the right. Its purpose was to block an opponent's strikes (to avoid damaging the saber's edge by hitting on another sword), and to thrust into a vulnerable spot in an armor coat. Some fighters used a katar in the right hand and a small shield in the left, for combat in confined areas.

I've seen quite a few katars in museums in China, they are very old, good ones and I think that they may have been brought back as war trophies during the late Qianlong era when Qing troops defeated the Gurkhas in Tibet and marched to Nepal to receive its king's surrender and tributary oath.

30th October 2006, 06:01 PM	#2
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Athena, It appears to be a good, solid example. From its construction, it appears typical of the style popular in the northern part of India whose weapons culture was strongly influenced by the Mughals over a period of over 3 centuries. The tip is reinforced for penetrating chain mail. The blades on many of these are forged from a fine crystalline damascus steel (poulad jauhar / wootz) but your specimen has so much corrosion on it that you can't tell for sure with it in its current state. Your piece may have been decorated at one time with a gold or silver overlay, either solid or in floral designs. If you look carefully you might be able to see traces of it here and there. Katars from the southern part of India are often made with the blade as a separate piece, rivetted between a pair of projecting flanges on the front of the hilt. Those types are often richly decorated with deep chiselling and pierced, filigree designs in the iron bars of the handle. The katar was put in a scabbard that was worn in the sash around the waist. It was usually used in the left hand, with the saber or talwar held in the right. Its purpose was to block an opponent's strikes (to avoid damaging the saber's edge by hitting on another sword), and to thrust into a vulnerable spot in an armor coat. Some fighters used a katar in the right hand and a small shield in the left, for combat in confined areas. I've seen quite a few katars in museums in China, they are very old, good ones and I think that they may have been brought back as war trophies during the late Qianlong era when Qing troops defeated the Gurkhas in Tibet and marched to Nepal to receive its king's surrender and tributary oath.