Char Aina
| Char Aina | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | armor |
| Use: | Protective weapon |
| Region of origin / author: |
India , Persia , Nepal |
| Distribution: | India, Persia, Nepal |
| Lists on the subject | |
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The Char-Aina (Persian script: چهاﺮآﻳنه (where “آﻳنه” stands for mirror and “چهاﺮ” stands for four), Persian , Indian “four mirrors”) is an armor from India, Persia and Nepal.
description
The Char-Aina is made of steel and brass and consists of four plates that are only slightly adapted to the body. The plates are a front and a back part, as well as a plate each for the left and right side of the body. Cutouts for the armpits are made on both side armor. The steel plates that make up the individual parts are edged with decorated brass. The panels are attached to each other with leather straps and buckles or hinges with detachable pins. There are also examples in which the breastplate is divided by a fifth hinge and is opened like a vest. Two wide leather straps serve as a shoulder strap. The plates were worn over chain mail or they were integrated directly into the chain armor. With some copies the plate edges are touching, but they do not overlap, with other copies the plates are narrower and so the chain mail underneath becomes visible. As a rule, the plate edges are rounded. Padding was glued or sewn to the inside.
This type of armor is available in different versions, which vary in processing and decoration.
Nepalese Char-Aina
A version that also differs in shape is the Nepalese Char-Aina , consisting of round plates that are not framed with brass. The components of this Char-Aina are also connected with leather cords. However, these are arranged crosswise between the plates.
The Char-Aina was widespread throughout India and Persia and was usually worn with accompanying bracers ( Bazu Band ), as well as greaves, chain armor and a helmet ( Kulah Khud ).
Individual evidence
- ^ H. Russell Robinson: Oriental Armor , Courier Dover Publications, 1967, ISBN 0486164470 , 39
- ^ H. Russell Robinson: Oriental Armor , Courier Dover Publications, 1967, ISBN 0486164470 , 109
- ↑ Char-Aina in the Pitt Rivers Museum, available online, (accessed January 5, 2011)
- ↑ George Cameron Stone, Donald J. LaRocca: A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times. Courier Dover Publications, 1999, ISBN 0-486-40726-8 , p. 175.
literature
- National Museum of India, Gayatri Nath Pant: Indian armors in the National Museum collection: a catalog. National Museum Publishing House, 2001, ISBN 81-85832-12-9 , pp. 8, 119.
- E. Jaiwant Paul: Arms and Armor: Traditional Weapons of India. Roli Books, 2005, pages 114–115, ISBN 81-7436-340-8 .
- Hamburgisches Museum für Völkerkunde, Hamburgisches Museum für Völkerkunde and Prehistory: Messages from the Museum für Völkerkunde in Hamburg. Commissioned by Lucas Grafe & Sillem, 1984, pp. 195–196.