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The '''katar''' is a type of [[push dagger]] from the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YPiZMnt45m8C&q=katar+weapon+origin&pg=PA137|title=The Military History Book|last=DK|date=2012-10-01|publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited|isbn=9781409328964|language=en}}</ref> The weapon is characterized by its H-shaped horizontal hand grip which results in the blade sitting above the user's knuckles. Unique to the Indian subcontinent, it is the most famous and characteristic of [[India]]n daggers.<ref name="Capwell">{{cite book |title=The World Encyclopedia Of Knives, Daggers And Bayonets |author=Dr Tobias Capwell |author-link=Tobias Capwell|year=2009 |publisher=Anness Publishing}}</ref> Ceremonial katars were also used in worship.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lFR06tVELyIC&q=kattari+sword&pg=PA181 |title=Nityasumaṅgalī: devadasi tradition in South India |isbn=9788120803305 |last1=Kersenboom-Story |first1=Saskia C. |last2=Kersenboom |first2=Saskia |year=1987 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. }}</ref>
== Etymology ==
Having originated in South India, the weapon's earliest name-form was likely the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] {{transl|ta|kaṭṭāri}} ({{lang|ta|கட்டாரி}}). It is alternatively known in Tamil as {{transl|ta|kuttuvāḷ}} ({{lang|ta|குத்துவாள்}}) which means "stabbing blade". This was adapted into [[Sanskrit]] as {{transl|sa|
Other regional names for the weapon include {{transl|kn|kaṭhāri}} ({{lang|kn|ಕಠಾರಿ}}) in [[Kannada]], {{transl|te|kathari}} ({{lang|te|కఠారి}}) in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], {{transl|ml|kaṭāra}} ({{lang|ml|കട്ടാര}}) in [[Malayalam]], {{transl|mr|kaṭyāra}} ({{lang|mr|कट्यार}}) in [[Marathi language|Marathi]], {{transl|bn|kāṭār}}, ({{lang|pa|ਕਟਾਰ}}) in [[Punjabi language|Panjabi]], and kirat Dewan language|(chhuiket) in [[nepal]]{{transl|hi|kaṭāra}} ({{lang|hi|कटार}}) or {{transl|hi|kaṭāri}} in [[Hindi]].{{fact|date=October 2020}}
==History==
The katar was created in [[South India|Southern India]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofweapons00john|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofweapons00john/page/91 91]|quote=katar weapon southern.|title=A History of Weapons: Crossbows, Caltrops, Catapults & Lots of Other Things that Can Seriously Mess You Up|last=O'Bryan|first=John|date=2013-04-23|publisher=Chronicle Books|isbn=9781452124209|language=en}}</ref> its earliest forms being closely associated with the 14th-century [[Vijayanagara Empire]].<ref name="Capwell" /> It may have originated with the ''mustika'', a method of holding a dagger between the middle and index finger<ref name="Swords"/> still used in [[kalaripayattu]] and [[gatka]] today. The real name of this is "Kidaari" is from the ancient Tamil warfare class of weapons. Kidaari derived from the term "Kedayam Ari" meaning the "Shield Splitter" in Tamil. The name indicates this weapon being used to break shields and [[armor]]. The weapon was used by many ethnic Tamil infantry units aka "Kaalatpadai". This falls under the "mushtikai" class of Indian weapon system. "Mushti" means the fingers closed and "kai" means arm.
A Tamil king would be gifted with a golden Kidari as a token of loyalty from the Kaalatpadai General. It was worn as a symbol of respect by the king to the soldiers who lay down their lives for him in war without any hesitation. Later Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj was gifted with a Kidaari during his conquest to Tamil Nadu. 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]].<ref name="Swords"/> One of the most famous groups of early katar come from the [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom]] of the 17th century.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J5PgapzD6FoC&q=katar+thanjavur&pg=PA345|title=Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times|last=Stone|first=George Cameron|date=1999-01-01|publisher=Courier Corporation|isbn=9780486407265|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Capwell" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W6bphUvvPf4C&q=katar+weapon+origin&pg=PA216|title=Architecture and Art of Southern India|last=Michell|first=George|date=1995-01-01|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521441100|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Swords">{{cite book |title=Swords And Hilt Weapons |year=2012 |publisher=Prion |page=196 |isbn=978-1-85375-882-9}}</ref> This form is today sometimes called a "hooded katara" but the knuckleguard was discarded altogether by the later half of the 17th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=The World Encyclopedia Of Knives, Daggers And Bayonets |author=Dr Tobias Capwell |year=2009 |publisher=Anness Publishing |page=86}}</ref> As the weapon spread throughout the region it became something of a status symbol, much like the Southeast Asian [[kris]] or the Japanese [[katana]]. Princes and nobles were often portrayed wearing a katar at their side. This was not only a precaution for self-defense, but also meant to show their wealth and position.
Some modern katar designs may include single-shot pistols built into either side of the weapon. In the 18th century, some traditional katar were refurbished with this innovation.
==Appearance==
The basic katar has a short, wide, triangular blade. Its peculiarity lies in the handle which is made up of two parallel bars connected by two or more cross-pieces, one of which is at the end of the side bars and is fastened to the blade. The remainder forms the handle which is at right angle to the blade. Some handles have long arms extending across the length of the user's forearm. The handle is generally of all-steel construction and
The blade, typically measuring {{convert|30|-|90|cm|abbr=on}} in length, is usually cut with a number of fullers. Most katar have straight blades, but in [[south India]] they are commonly wavy.<ref name=Capwell/> South Indian blades are often made broad at the hilt and taper in straight lines to the point, and elaborately ribbed by grooves parallel to the edges. Occasionally the blades are slightly curved
The force of a katar thrust could be so great that many blades were thickened at the point to prevent them from bending or breaking. This also strengthened their use against mail.
[[File:Катар (2).jpg|thumb|Katar and sheath]]
The Indian nobility often wore ornamental katar as a symbol of their social status. The hilts may be covered in enamel, gems, or gold foil. Similarly, figures and scenes were chiselled onto the blade. Sheaths, generally made from [[Damascus steel|watered steel]], were sometimes pierced with decorative designs. The heat and moisture of India's climate made steel an unsuitable material for a dagger sheath, so they were covered in fabric such as velvet or [[silk]]. Some katar served as a sheath to fit one or two smaller ones inside.{{fact|date=October 2020}}
==Techniques==
Because the katar's blade is in line with the user's arm, the basic attack is a direct thrust identical to a punch, although it could also be used for slashing. This design allows the fighter to put their whole weight into a thrust
==See also==
*[[Pata (sword)]]
*[[
==References==
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