India, British Protectorate. A Katar, C.1870

This unique design of katar or Katara, it is made out of iron with a single mould casting, its blade is joined to a handle in a “U” shape, with hilt comprising two parallel bars connected by two cross-pieces, featuring its characteristic H-shape which serves as the handle, with double-edged triangular steel blade, magnetic, with semi-sharp edges and having a dull tip, measuring approximately 85 mm wide x 430 mm in length, exhibiting severe general surface rust, fine.

Footnote: The katar or katara, is a type of push dagger from the Indian subcontinent. Katar is derived from the Tamil word kattari the native language of Dravidians from Tamil Nadu,a state in south India.The word Kattari became Kataar in Punjabi and when pronounced by the North Indians it became Katara and subsequently with usage by multi-cultural ethnic groups of north india became Katar. The weapon is characterized by its H-shaped horizontal hand grip Katar is basically a punching dagger and was mostly used by the Rajput, Sikh and Mughal warriors of India. Unique to the Indian subcontinent, it is the most famous and characteristic of Indian daggers.