jamadhar katari???

[Jim McDougall]

This is a jamadhar katari, a distinct dagger form associated with the Kalash people (also known as Kaffirs) from Chitral regions in Hindu Kush area.
I do believe the hilts on these were typically cast, and I agree this does appear to be a spearhead. The blade bolster resembling many katars and the khandas seem to suggest this coming from regions somewhat south.

The Kaffirs were the tribal people who were situated in Kafiristan (known from Kiplings "Man Who Would be King" ) and many left there into Chitral in late 19th c. when Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan invaded there. Thier animist beliefs of course highly conflicted with those imposed by Khan leading to thier dispora.

The history of the Kalash is most fascinating. Apparantly many of these daggers seem to appear in Nepal as I was told by a German collector particularly intrigued by these.

[weapons 27]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is a jamadhar katari, a distinct dagger form associated with the Kalash people (also known as Kaffirs) from Chitral regions in Hindu Kush area.
I do believe the hilts on these were typically cast, and I agree this does appear to be a spearhead. The blade bolster resembling many katars and the khandas seem to suggest this coming from regions somewhat south.

The Kaffirs were the tribal people who were situated in Kafiristan (known from Kiplings "Man Who Would be King" ) and many left there into Chitral in late 19th c. when Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan invaded there. Thier animist beliefs of course highly conflicted with those imposed by Khan leading to thier dispora.

The history of the Kalash is most fascinating. Apparantly many of these daggers seem to appear in Nepal as I was told by a German collector particularly intrigued by these.

Thanks for the info jim

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I agree this does appear to be a spearhead.

Jim good information, thanks. Do you or anyone else have an example of an Indian spearhead that looks like this, I have not seen one and it would be nice to see something to compare it against.

[Jim McDougall]

Glad to be of help guys. The fullering and malle perce tip suggest northern India, which conforms with the blade bolster at forte, and recalls the katars of these regions. I dont know offhand of a good example to suggest on the spearheads, but checking 'Hindu Arms and Ritual' and the other references might reveal something.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Glad to be of help guys. The fullering and malle perce tip suggest northern India, which conforms with the blade bolster at forte, and recalls the katars of these regions. I dont know offhand of a good example to suggest on the spearheads, but checking 'Hindu Arms and Ritual' and the other references might reveal something.

Salaams Jim ~ I am a bit confused about the nature of this blade... I understand that normally Jamadhar Katari had a single edge and were slightly curved... and that there was a peculiar pommel atop the hilt. Is this a refit using a straight push dagger blade often called a "katar" and has the pommel dropped off this one or is it a turned katar hilt grip or all of the above?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Is this a refit using a straight push dagger blade often called a "katar"

The blade says "katar" to me much more than "spearhead", I have many images of katar with similar blades but I can not find an image of an Indian spearhead that looks like this.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The history of the Kalash is most fascinating. Apparantly many of these daggers seem to appear in Nepal as I was told by a German collector particularly intrigued by these.

As Jim has noted and the mentioned German Collector, these are seen in temples in Nepal. Back in 2009 Simon shared images of a temple within the Kirtipur Palace that has these and many others mounted to the temple.

When comparing forms, the form of this example points to a composite type, perhaps old, perhaps quite new and aged

The weapons make for a very interesting study.

Gavin

[bhushan_lawate]

All,

The "Jamdhar" is a loose distortion of "Yamadaushtra" and evolved in the following way:

1. Yama (Lord of death per the Hindus) + Daushtra (tooth in Sanskrit)

which became - Yama + Dadh or "Jamdhad"

which is now "Jamdhar"

It is also used synonymous to Katars in some places in India.

my two cents...!!!!


Regards,
Bhushan