Original Item: Only One Available. This is really quite something. Dating to the late 18th / early 19th century, this is a traditional Indian Thrusting dagger known as a KATAR. An odd looking weapon, however very effective against Chain Mail and even much plate armor found in India. It has a double sided 9" blade made of WOOTZ Steel: an early form of laminated crucible steel, similar to "Damascus Steel." The tip of the blade is hugely thickened to give it the strength to penetrate the sturdiest body defense. The handle is forged iron construction with a strange design for a hilt. Intended to be grasped by the two horizontal cross bars the long uprights naturally extended up your arm.

The Katar would then be bound in place and securely held, so your arm became a thrusting and slashing weapon. The long upright protected you arm from any sword blade attack, and there was no way for the warrior to drop the weapon once in place.

This example is really in great shape, with a very attractive blade, which features a raised central reinforcement and V-shaped fuller on both sides. It is still partly shiny, and very attractive, with just a bit of speckling near the tip. The handle is inlaid with love silver and gold inlaid designs, making this a real treat for the eyes.

Fine old patina, cleaned and ready to display.

Specifications:
Overall length: 15”
Blade length: 9”
Handguard Dimensions: 3 1/2" width x 6 3/4" length

History of the Katar

The katar or katara, is a type of push dagger from South Asia. The weapon is characterised by its H-shaped horizontal hand grip which results in the blade sitting above the user's knuckles. Unique to South Asia, it is the most famous and characteristic of Indian daggers. Ceremonial katars were also used in worship.

The katar was created in south India, its earliest forms being closely associated with the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire. It may have originated with the mustika, a method of holding a dagger between the middle and index finger still used in gatka today. A specific type of dagger might have been designed for this, as maustika is described vaguely as a "fist dagger" in the arsenal list of Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak. One of the most famous groups of early katar come from the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom (Formerly called Tanjore) of the 17th century. Katar dating back to this period often had a leaf- or shell-like knucklebow curving up from the top of the blade to protect the back of the hand. This form is today sometimes called a "hooded katara" but the knuckleguard was discarded altogether by the later half of the 17th century.