Khanda (sword)
| Khanda (sword) | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | sword |
| Use: | Weapon, religious symbol, status weapon |
| Creation time: | approx. 320 BC Chr. |
| Working time: | until now |
| Region of origin / author: |
Maurya Empire , India , warrior chest |
| Distribution: | India |
| Particularities: | The khanda is still used today as a status weapon and in martial arts. |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Khanda (from Khadga, Sanskrit for sword) is a slashing sword from India , which serves as a weapon, religious symbol and status symbol Khanda at the same time .
description
The Khanda has a straight, broad, heavy blade which is blunt. Often the blade becomes wider towards the tip. As a rule, the blade is single-edged, but there are also double-edged versions. The booklet has a disc-shaped hand guard with a protective bracket that protects the wearer's fingers. The pommel is also disc-shaped and often has a pointed, dagger-like spur at the rear end. This could be held in order to perform the khanda with two hands if necessary.
history
The Khanda already originated in the time of the Maurya Empire in India. He was and is an important weapon in the Indian martial arts Kalarippayattu . The Khanda is held in high regard by the clans of the Sikhs , Marathas , Nirs and other members of the Kshatriya warrior caste , so that they even included the symbol of the Khanda in their religion (see graphic opposite).
The invasion of Muslim forces in the 12th century showed the great effectiveness of the Khanda against the light chain and leather armor of the Muslims. Nevertheless, a lighter weapon was needed for the cavalry troops. The khanda was replaced by the talwar . Nevertheless, the Khanda remained in the warrior caste of India to this day and is still valued as a status symbol.
literature
- William Irvine, The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration, Yoakum Press, 2008, ISBN 978-1-4437-7378-2
- Som Prakash Verma , Art and material culture in the paintings of Akbar's court , Aligarh Muslim University. Dept. of History. Center of Advanced Study, Volume 3, illustrated, Vikas Verlag, 1978, ISBN 978-0-7069-0595-3
- Robert Elgood, Hindu Arms and Ritual: Arms and Armor from India 1400-1865 , Eburon Publishers, 2005, ISBN 90-5972-020-2
Web links
- Royal Armories Museum Khanda (illustration)
- Khanda at Oriental Arms [2]
- Khanda at Oriental Arms [3]
- Khanda at Oriental Arms [4]
- Khanda at Oriental Arms [5]
Individual evidence
- ↑ Nick Evangelista : The encyclopedia of the sword, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1995, ISBN 978-0-313-27896-9 , page 335 [1]