Indian Royal Weapons
Sikh Flying Rings: Chakram

 

 
 
 
 

Maharao Umed Singh of Kota - Hunting at Night

Shield (Dhàl) - Early 19th Century
Hide, Gilt Bronze, Glass, Lacquer, Velvet, Jewels

 

Katar Thrusting Dagger - 1852
Indian Rajasthan
Steel and Gold

Katar Thrusting Dagger - 17th to 18th Century
Indian Mughal
Steel, Gold, and Ruby

  

 

Spear - 18th Century
 North Indian - Steel and Gold

Shafted Weapons

Spear - 17th century
North Indian - Steel and Gold

  

Hunting Sword - 18th to 19th Century
Indian Rajasthan
Steel, Gold, Velvet and Wood

Drawing of a Sword
Jaipur, India . . . circa 1883
Watercolor on Paper

Maharaja of Kashmir's (Sword in Scabbard)
(Circa . . . 1864)
Steel, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies and Velvet

Maharaja - Jeweled Sword Hilt

Maharaja - Presentation Sword
Jaipur, India . . . circa 1902
Steel, Gold, Diamonds and Enamel

Ankus (Elephant Goad) - 17th century
South Indian Shafted Implement/Weapon
Steel and Brass

Ankus - Jaipur, India . . . circa 1870
Gold, Natural Colorless Sapphires and Enamel

Indian Elephant Goad
(Circa 1800)

Shah Jahan Hunting with Trained Cheetahs - Hunts were a Peacetime Training for War

Maharaja "Tiger Claw" Weapon
Circa 17th Century (Steel)

This Tiger Claw belonged to Shivaji
It was used by the Maratha leader to kill the Bijapuri commander Afzal Khan.

Maharaja Helmet

Mysore, India . . . circa late 18th Century
Leather, Quilted Silk, Steel and Gold

Maharaja Shield

Udaipur, India . . . circa early 19th Century
Hide, Velvet, Copper, and Gilded Copper

Maharaja - Suit of Armor

Udaipur, India . . . circa 18th Century
Layers of Hemp, Velvet, Silk, and Gilded Copper
Armor is of the Mewar Hazar-mukhi (Thousand Headed) Variety
Technique: Layers of Textile are Bound Together with Gilded Brass Rivets

Maharao Durjan Sal of Kota - Hunting Lion

Flying Rings: Chakram, Quoit

The Indian throwing ring knife variously known as the Chakram, Chakra, Chackram, Chackrum, Chakar, Chakram Quoit, Quoit is one of the least understood of all weapons . Generally thought to be the exclusive provenance of the Sikhs, Egerton shows a broad bladed example of 6" diameter in his landmark 1880 study identified as Aboriginal and non-Aryan Tribes of Central Indian and the Andaman Islands. These generally are called the "Wild Tribes" and are known to have produced fine metal work in their weapons, particularly battle axes. Allowing for a broader use of the chakram, he describes the vast variation in construction and quality encountered. Furthermore, it seems quite likely that the Sikhs (founded in 1469) may have adapted the weapon from the refugees of the earlier Aryan invasion. Egerton also states that the arm that is exclusively peculiar to this sect (Sikhs) is the quoit, but he goes on to remove any doubt that it is a true weapon and used in battle.

The Sikhs became martial under Guru Govind Singh and they used the Chackram effectively against the Moghul dynasty. The Chackram has a history that is as old as Indian civilization itself. It's usage is embedded in Indian myth and legend. In the epics . . . the Mahabharata for instance . . . an Asura trying to get heavenly nectar from the moon had his head chakra-ed off. Still he tries to swallow the moon and succeeds ever so often before the moon escapes through the cut neck . . . an eclipse myth. Sculptures and paintings of many gods and godesses show the chakra being twirled.

 

 

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