Dagger: O.91-1879

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown

Entities

• Dagger
• Indian weapons
• katar

Categories

• Weapons

Description

The steel blade is straight, double edged with a full-length medial rib and a reinforced point. The hilt has a convex guard attached to short, wide arms ending in lotus bud terminals at the rear, joined by a pair of bars swelling to their centres that form the grip. At the front of the guard are heavy katar-shaped reinforces with cusped and scalloped edges and incised lines, attached to the blade by three rivets, one with copper alloy washers corroding actively. The guard is extended on the outside of the hand into a V-section curved guard ending in an animal-headed finial. The hilt is painted black inside, the rest polished bright and pitted from earlier corrosion

Notes

History note: Ganjam. Probably from the Tanjore armoury, broken up in 1860 (see documentation Elgood 2004)

Legal notes

Given by Robert Taylor, MA

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1879) by Taylor, Robert, MA

Dating

17th Century#
Circa 1600 CE - 1700 CE

Note

Described by taylor as ‘Very long guarded kuthar from Ganjam’.

This type of sword is very different to most swords as the grip is at right angles to the blade, and not a continuation of the blade. It was held in the hand and used a thrusting fashion. The blade is very tapered and ends in a long, thin point, ideal for stabbing attack. The back of the hand is protected by an additional plate. This example is very short and may have been made for a child.