Dagger (Katar)

Unknown

1852 · Steel, gold · Arms and Armor

Unique to South Asia, the katar is a dagger that is gripped at the crossbars in a clenched fist. The weapon was meant to be thrust into an opponent or prey from a close range. Rajput and Mughal royalty used this weapon to hunt tigers and even crocodile to demonstrate their bravery and martial skill. This example bears an inscription in localized Sanskrit, which states, "Bundijaram, Lord of Bundi, will protect with this dagger, [for], when it pierces, is like the tongue of death." The other side has a Vikram Samvat date of 1909, which converts to 1852 A.D.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1852

Medium

Steel, gold

Culture

Indian, Rajasthan

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935