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Dagger (Katar)

1852
Not on view
Unique to South Asia, the katar is a dagger that is gripped at the crossbars in a clenched fist. The weapon was meant to be thrust into an opponent or prey from a close range. Rajput and Mughal royalty used this weapon to hunt tigers and even crocodile to demonstrate their bravery and martial skill. This example bears an inscription in localized Sanskrit, which states, "Bundijaram, Lord of Bundi, will protect with this dagger, [for], when it pierces, is like the tongue of death." The other side has a Vikram Samvat date of 1909, which converts to 1852 A.D.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Dagger (Katar)
  • Date: 1852
  • Geography: Bundi, Rajasthan
  • Culture: Indian, Rajasthan, Bundi
  • Medium: Steel, gold
  • Dimensions: L. 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm); W. 3 9/16 in. (9 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 4.4 oz. (578.3 g)
  • Classification: Daggers
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
  • Object Number: 36.25.912
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
Shield (Dhál), Iron, polychromy, textile, leather, Indian, Rajasthan, Bundi
Shield (Dhál)
Indian, Rajasthan, Bundi
18th–early 19th century
Dagger with Scabbard, Steel, iron, gold, rubies, emeralds, glass, wood, textile, Indian, Mughal
Dagger with Scabbard
Indian, Mughal
1605–27
Punch Dagger (Katar) with Sheath, Steel, iron, silver, gold, rubies, Indian, Mughal
Punch Dagger (Katar) with Sheath
Indian, Mughal
late 17th–18th century
Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>), Gassan Sadakazu Japanese, Steel, wood (rosewod), copper-gold alloy (<i>shakudō</i>), copper-silver alloy (<i>shibuichi</i>), gold, silver, Japanese
Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)
Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Gassan Sadakazu
Fittings maker Fittings (except menuki) inscribed by Nomura Katsumori
Fittings maker Menuki inscribed by Seii
blade, dated 1870; mounting, 19th century
Matchlock Gun, Steel, iron, wood, ivory, gold, silver, copper alloy, pigment, Indian, Rajasthan, possibly Gwalior
Matchlock Gun
Indian, Rajasthan, possibly Gwalior
late 18th–19th century

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