Were the chakram's only used by the Sikhs?

[katana]

Hi Jens found this reference to a similar weapon which seems to indicate that other variants existed before the Chakra....

"....The history of the Liang Dynasty of China (506-556) spoke of a kingdom called Po-Li to be found on the northern tip of Sumatra. This same kingdom was again mentioned in the history of Sui Dynasty (581-671). "The people in this land are masters at throwing a disk, about the size of a small mirror, whose edges are cerated and sharp, and in whose center a hole is cut. If they throw this weapon they never miss. The other weapons they use are much the same as those existing in China."

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache...nk&cd=16&gl=uk

[fernando]

Hi David

Originally Posted by katana

"The people in this land are masters at throwing a disk, about the size of a small mirror, whose edges are cerated and sharp ..."

It comes to mind that we can see these discs in action in Chinese fiction movies ... there is no smoke without fire.
Fernando

[katana]

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi David

It comes to mind that we can see these discs in action in Chinese fiction movies ... there is no smoke without fire.
Fernando

Hi Fernando,
yes indeed, the Chinese produced an amazing array of very unusual weapons.

Quoits is a game, using metal rings to 'hit' a target (think 'hoopla'), however a number of sites dedicated to the game ...state that originally the rings were sharpened weapons dating back to the Ancient Greeks. Bearing in mind many sports were designed to keep your warriors battle ready. It makes perfect sense that skill with the 'disc weapon' would be maintained with 'friendly competion' during 'peace time'.

I have also read that the earlier examples of Chakra were more functional than later examples which became more ornate and symbollic. Many early ones had an 'aero foil' shape (in cross section) to aid accuracy and power. Some had small holes which 'whistled' as it flew through the air, which 'un-nerved' the opposing warriors.

David