We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Katar?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 14,473
Share

A katar is a unique type of knife which was once widely used on the Indian subcontinent. It is often associated specifically with Hindu culture in India, although people of other backgrounds probably used katars as well, since they are extremely versatile knives which come in a myriad of configurations to meet various needs. Katars are not in widespread use anymore, although many museums have very fine examples of antique katars on display, for people who want to get a closer look at these famous knives.

The defining feature of a katar is the handle, which consists of two parallel bars supported by one or more crosspieces. To hold the knife, people wrap a hand around the crosspiece, causing the blade to protrude above their knuckles, almost like a talon, while the bars run down the user's fist and arm. To use the knife, it is necessary to punch, rather than stab, putting the full force of the body behind the knife and using it like a natural extension of the hand.

Katar blades are quite varied. They are classically double edged, and vary in length. Some katars have forked blades, in which case there may be two or three blades mounted on the handle, and in some regions the blades are movable, allowing people to penetrate a victim with a single blade and then trigger a mechanism which causes the blade to split, causing formidable internal injuries. Some 19th century katars even included small guns.

Most katars were designed for close range use, and they could be highly effective against armor of various types. The punching motion required to use the blade pushed users to develop styles of fighting which resemble many martial arts, with a wide range of moves and styles of punches which could be paired with a katar for maximum effect. Katars were also sometimes used in ritual or religious settings, which may explain why they have become so closely associated with Hindu culture.

The katar is sometimes called an Indian or Bundi dagger, and in some cases the blades were long enough to qualify the knife as a short sword. Some people still train with weapons which resemble the classic katar, and several companies continue to manufacture katars for hobbyists and for film use. If you decide to purchase a katar for your personal weapons collection, you may want to think about whether you want an antique or modern blade, and if you aren't familiar with metals, bring a metalsmith along on your buying expedition, as many katars are made with cheap metals which corrode and do not hold an edge.

Share
CulturalWorld.org is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a CulturalWorld.org researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.culturalworld.org/what-is-a-katar.htm
Copy this link
CulturalWorld.org, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

CulturalWorld.org, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.