My Katar Collection

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Again, to return to James' katar from the original post, it is an austere but extremely attractive example of what I would consider a Vijayanagara katar, as Robert Elgood shows on p.145 ("Hindu Arms & Ritual", 2004) fig.15.1 (#22). His example looks remarkably like the 'classic' 16th century style (as described by Elgood).

While Vijayanagara is actually situated in the Deccan (geographically central India) it is included categorically among Tanjore in the classification of 'southern' type katars (usually those with 'hoods' or covered handguards).

This is probably one of the most perplexing issues in the study of Indian (in fact often ethnographic in general) arms, which is that for purposes of classification, broad terms such as southern or northern are typically less than useful.
As seen here, deeper look into characteristics, motif and blade features are best noted and used to qualify the weapon's classification.

We know that the triangular blade and striated ribs are characteristic of Vijayanagara edged weapons of 16th c., as is the 'hooded' guard on the katar. By the 17th century, cut down European sword blades began to come into India and began to be used regularly on katars.

It is noted that austerity in style was adopted by the Hindu Royal Court at Hampi (near Vijayangara) in the mid 16th century, in accord with that of Muslim architecture. This apparently was applied in hilt decoration as well,and on these hooded katars.

It does seem possible that this katar may indeed be of these Vijayangara regions in this period, and turning to the tree of life which is of Hindu association, as well as the shellguard referred to as 'turtle shell'.
The turtle is Kurma, 2nd incarnation of Vishnu (Elgood,15.21).

Turning to our peacocks, their presence is probably a reference to Karttikeya, god of war and son of Siva. Siva, under the name Virupaksha is the family deity of the Vijayanagara rayas.

It seems possible that along with the austerity of decoration and the demeanor of this katar, the ultra stylization of the peacocks may fall into place with the adoption of Muslim style in these regions in the 16th .

This would be an assessment of this katar strictly from these photos, and of course there is always a chance it may indeed be a later product following these earlier traditions. However, simply looking at these features, these are the likely indicators of what the weapon appears to be.

Salaams Jim, et al.
Thank you for keeping the thread in focus.
The study of this dagger form (and I am never sure what their actual accurate name is...) is indeed fascinating and has caused me to dive for my few Indian books on Arms 'n armour... The design pattern including Yali and the Peacock feather design are used all over the Indian sphere of ethnographic arms...and spill over from their dominant abode in Southern India to Sri Lanka commonly seen on the Kastane and other weapons. This is an excellent sidearm or secondary armament that I thought were called Lion Knives...or punch daggers though the term Kattar is well understood to reflect this description. It is commonly understood that these are formed from broken swords...though there must be many that were made as new, no?
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Jens Nordlunde]

There seem to be some confusion here.
Some katar blades were made form broken sword blades, while others were made from broken down sword blades. To this comes that many sword blades, and dagger blade for that matter were melted down and used for new blades - even old nail were used.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

There seem to be some confusion here.
Some katar blades were made form broken sword blades, while others were made from broken down sword blades. To this comes that many sword blades, and dagger blade for that matter were melted down and used for new blades - even old nail were used.

Salaams Jens Nordlunde and thank you for clearing that matter up.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.