How many of the katars we know were court katars?

[Jens Nordlunde]

Yes the katar could be used for slashing - at least some of them.
Here is an early description of a katar from my catalogue A Passion for Indian weapons p. 10.

Gustav Oppert, a scholar of ancient Sanskrit manuscripts, offers a reference under the subject Amukta, a description of a weapon,
which is likely to be a katar.
“The Maustika (fist-sword, dagger) has a good hilt, is a span [circa 20-22 cm] long and ornamented. Its end is sharp, it has a high neck15, is broad in the midst and dark coloured.
It can make all sorts of movements, as it is a small and very handy weapon. Its qualities are enlarged upon by Vaisampayana”. In the above quoted text there is a footnote to a Sanskrit text, translated here. “The hilt of the Moushtika is easy to hold and gives a tight grip. Both sides of the hilt are large and with attractive designs. The tip is wide and is sharp and shining. The centre [of the blade] is thick and shining.
It can be held and circled. While turning it, number of points on it can be observed. As with the curve that cows urine makes while falling on the ground, the moushtika can also make similar curves and can be turned. It can be thrust forward and reverse, left and right, zigzag, curvy and also in a circle. It can also be thrown, turned fast and can be thrust to the ground. It can be reversed and struck to the back. We can rotate ourselves [our body] while using it. We can hit from near and hit from a
distance. It shivers, and these are the different methods of using the weapon.
This is the speciality of this weapon, O King.” This was a conversation between someone who was a master of this weapon to the king to whom he was explaining it in 2 parts; firstly its description and then on how to use it.
That the weapon “can make all sorts of movements” is an interesting observation, and the author continues to describe other weapons in a similar way – the kunta [lance] can only be handled in six ways whilst the gada [club] has twenty different motions.

[BANDOOK]

Hi Jens
Here is a Katar from my collection,when I bought it I was told its from Bundi,Rajasthan but after asking a friend he told me its south Indian and 18 century.Please tell me more about it.
size is 16 inches
Regards
Rajesh

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Rajesh,

Your friend is right, It is from Deccan/South India, and it is safe to say 18th century.
The interesting thing is, that these katars from the south, with a curved hilt base either have an even curv or a 'pointed' curv, and this should give us a clue more exactly from where it is - I think, if you can 'read' it. At the moment I cant, but who knows where research will take me.

[BANDOOK]

Thanks Jens,my friend is an expert in his own right but prefers to be very low profile,thanks for your comments
many Thanks
Rajesh

[Jens Nordlunde]

Rajesh,
Please tell me, if you hold the blade, and hid the side guards on wood, does it sound like a tuning fork?
Jens

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by BANDOOK

Hi Jens
Here is a Katar from my collection,when I bought it I was told its from Bundi,Rajasthan but after asking a friend he told me its south Indian and 18 century.Please tell me more about it.
size is 16 inches
Regards
Rajesh

Salaams Rajesh, It was inevitable I suppose... but here is the Fleur De Lis decorating an Indian weapon... or is it a split palmette?