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WABUKAN Arsenal · Knives and blades · India

Katar

The Indian push dagger: a horizontal grip puts the blade in line with the forearm for a straight punching thrust.

Katar dagger
Katar dagger, 1700s. Photo: Cleveland Museum of Art, public domain (CC0) · Museum record

Also known as

कटार · katara; jamadhar

Origin and history

The katar is the push dagger of India, with a horizontal grip so that the blade sticks out beyond the knuckles. It was used from at least the 14th century, especially in the south and by Rajput nobles, and was also a status object, richly decorated.

Martial arts that use it

Kalaripayattu Gatka

Construction

A triangular or leaf-shaped blade, often thickened at the point to pierce mail, fixed between two parallel side bars joined by one or two crossbars that form the grip. Some later models open into three blades.

Basic techniques

Training

Short-blade training starts with trainers made of wood, aluminium or rubber. Students drill angles of attack, grips (forward and reverse), checking the opponent’s arm and footwork, then flow drills with a partner. Live blades are kept for solo forms by experienced practitioners, if at all.

Safety

Use training knives for all partner work and eye protection for fast drills. Never mix live and training blades in the same session, store blades sheathed and out of reach of children.

Legality (general information)

Swords, knives and other edged weapons are regulated very differently from country to country (and sometimes from region to region): owning one at home is often allowed, while carrying it in public, buying it under a certain age or importing it may be restricted or banned. Practitioners usually transport them cased, out of reach and straight between home and dojo. This is general information, not legal advice: check the law where you live.

Did you know?

Hunting scenes in Indian painting show nobles killing tigers with a katar, a sign of courage.

More weapons

Khanjar Tanto Sai Kama Butterfly swords Deer horn knives

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Katar (dagger)
  2. Wikipedia — Kalaripayattu