Katar for Comments

TVV · 26th January 2014, 12:26 AM

Indian weapons are a bit outside my main interests, but I really liked this katar. I know very little about it and katars in general. Per Pant, it would appear that the correct name is jamadhar, but katar seems to have become the accepted term among collectors, so I am sticking with it. My guess is that my is from Northern India, Rajasthan perhaps? It has a wootz blade (always hard to photograph for me), and a hilt with gold koftgari decoration. Unfortunately, the hilt is in rough shape, with losses to the koftgari. There is an inscription below the guard, but I doubt anyone would be able to read it as it appears some of it has been erased. The scabbard is missing the chape, but at least it looks like it is the original scabbard.

Can the Indian weapons experts venture a guess on age (mine would be early 19th century) and area of origin?

Thank you,
Teodor

ArmsAndAntiques · 26th January 2014, 05:18 AM

I would agree with a 19th C. dating, possibly earlier. It's quite uncommon to find one with Devangari writing in koftgari, which yours appears to have remnants of. The form and shape are similar to one I had a few years back. I would imagine they would be more likely to be from a similar area. The tools on the one that I had were overlaid in a very similar style koftgari.

TVV · 27th January 2014, 06:45 PM

Thank you ArmsAndAntiques, the example you show, while much finer than mine, is very similar in form. Interesting to see all the utensils as well.

Teodor

Jens Nordlunde · 29th December 2019, 04:38 PM

Is it possible that someone can translate what is left of the text on TVV's katar?

ariel · 30th December 2019, 12:01 AM

I sent a pic of the inscription to my study coordinator ( she is from Chennai).
Do not expect quick answer: it’s New Year time.
Moreover, who knows what language was used.

Battara · 30th December 2019, 12:12 AM

What makes it extra hard is the rust underneath that has lifted off the overlying koftgari.

ariel · 31st December 2019, 06:24 PM

Jose was correct: the inscription is mutilated by rust.
The last word in it is " Rajah".
For the rest, my res. asst. sent pics to India, she has several friends who are linguists. But even she has very little hope.....

TVV · 31st December 2019, 08:41 PM

Well, one word is better than nothing. Thank you and your friend, Ariel,

Teodor

Jens Nordlunde · 31st December 2019, 09:28 PM

Ariel, thanks for your assistance, but do you know in language it is written?
This could, maybe, point to a region. I think Rajasthan is correct, but it might help.

ariel · 1st January 2020, 01:27 AM

Sorry, forgot to mention: Hindi.

26th January 2014, 12:26 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Katar for Comments Indian weapons are a bit outside my main interests, but I really liked this katar. I know very little about it and katars in general. Per Pant, it would appear that the correct name is jamadhar, but katar seems to have become the accepted term among collectors, so I am sticking with it. My guess is that my is from Northern India, Rajasthan perhaps? It has a wootz blade (always hard to photograph for me), and a hilt with gold koftgari decoration. Unfortunately, the hilt is in rough shape, with losses to the koftgari. There is an inscription below the guard, but I doubt anyone would be able to read it as it appears some of it has been erased. The scabbard is missing the chape, but at least it looks like it is the original scabbard. Can the Indian weapons experts venture a guess on age (mine would be early 19th century) and area of origin? Thank you, Teodor Attached Images

26th January 2014, 05:18 AM	#2
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	I would agree with a 19th C. dating, possibly earlier. It's quite uncommon to find one with Devangari writing in koftgari, which yours appears to have remnants of. The form and shape are similar to one I had a few years back. I would imagine they would be more likely to be from a similar area. The tools on the one that I had were overlaid in a very similar style koftgari. Attached Images

31st December 2019, 09:28 PM	#9
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ariel, thanks for your assistance, but do you know in language it is written? This could, maybe, point to a region. I think Rajasthan is correct, but it might help. Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 31st December 2019 at 09:48 PM.

27th January 2014, 06:45 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Thank you ArmsAndAntiques, the example you show, while much finer than mine, is very similar in form. Interesting to see all the utensils as well. Teodor

29th December 2019, 04:38 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Is it possible that someone can translate what is left of the text on TVV's katar?

30th December 2019, 12:01 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I sent a pic of the inscription to my study coordinator ( she is from Chennai). Do not expect quick answer: it’s New Year time. Moreover, who knows what language was used.

30th December 2019, 12:12 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	What makes it extra hard is the rust underneath that has lifted off the overlying koftgari.

31st December 2019, 06:24 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Jose was correct: the inscription is mutilated by rust. The last word in it is " Rajah". For the rest, my res. asst. sent pics to India, she has several friends who are linguists. But even she has very little hope.....

31st December 2019, 08:41 PM	#8
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Well, one word is better than nothing. Thank you and your friend, Ariel, Teodor

1st January 2020, 01:27 AM	#10
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Sorry, forgot to mention: Hindi.