Katar (dagger): Difference between revisions

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>

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|kaṭārakaṭār}} ({{lang|sa|कट्टार}}) or {{transl|sa|kaṭārī}}. Due to the [[schwa deletion in Indo-Aryan languages]] however, the word often came to be rendered as "katar" in modern [[Hindi]] and by extension in colonial transliterations.{{fact|date=October 2020}}

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}}

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. Upper-class RajputsMughal nobility would even hunt [[tiger]]s with a katar. For a hunter to kill a tiger with such a short-range weapon was considered the surest sign of bravery and martial skill.<ref name="Capwell"/>

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. The pistols are meant to deal the killing blow after the weapon has been thrust into the enemy. The katar ceased to be in common use by the 19th century, though they were still forged for decorative purposes. During the 18th and 19th century, a distinctive group of katar were produced at Bundi in [[Rajasthan]]. They were ornately crafted and their hilts were covered in gold foil. These katar were shown at [[the Great Exhibition]] of 1851 in [[The Crystal Palace|Crystal Palace]], [[London]]. Since then, the weapon has sometimes been mistakenly referred to in English as a "Bundi dagger".{{fact|date=October 2020}}

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 ismay forgedbe ingilded oneor pieceotherwise togetherdecorated. with<ref the blade.{{fact|datename=October 2020}}Capwell/>

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, making them suited for slashing attacks. Some blades are forked into two points, and one decorative variation includes a hollow outer blade which wouldhinges lateropens developto intoexpose a thesmaller scissorsblade katarinside.

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. All katarKatar with thickened tips are commonly described as "armour-piercing", but it is likely that only narrow and slender blades made this function possible. Such a weapon was capable of piercing textile, or mail, and even plate armor. This quality was preferred for warfare, where an opponent was more likely to be armor-clad, as opposed to single combat.{{fact|date=October 2020}}

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. Typical targets include the head and upper body, similar to [[boxing]]. The sides of the handle could be used for blocking but it otherwise has little defensive capability. As such, the wielder must be agile enough to dodge the opponent's attacks and strike quickly, made possible because of the weapon's light weight and small size. [[Indian martial arts]] in general make extensive use of agility and acrobatic maneuvers. As far back as the 16th century, there was at least one fighting style which focused on fighting with a pair of katar, one in each hand.<ref name=Capwell/>

*[[UrumiPush dagger]]