Khanda (sword)
{{Short description|Type of sword common in Indian martial arts}}
{{for-multi|the Sikh symbol|Khanda (Sikh symbol)|the sword described in Hindu legend|Asi (Mahabharata)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}{{Infobox weapon
|name= Khanda
| image= Rajput Khanda.jpg
| image_size = 250
|caption= A khanda
|origin= Indian subcontinent
|type= Double-edged sword
|is_bladed= yes
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|production_date= Similar weapons used from at least the Gupta period (320-550) to present.
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|blade_type= Double-edged, straight bladed, blunt tipped
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The khanda ({{langx|sa|खड्ग}}) is a double-edge straight sword originating from the Indian subcontinent. The Rajput warrior clans venerated the khanda as a weapon of great prestige. It is often featured in religious iconography, theatre and art depicting the ancient history of India. It is a common weapon in Indian martial arts.M. L. K. Murty (2003), p91 Khanda often appears in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh scriptures and art.{{cite book | last = Teece | first = Geoff | title = Sikhism | year = 2005 | publisher = Black Rabbit Books | isbn = 1583404694 | page = 18}}
Etymology
The word khanda has its origins in the Sanskrit {{IAST|khaḍga}}Rocky Pendergrass, 2015,[https://books.google.com/books?id=3twNCgAAQBAJ&dq=kha%E1%B8%8Dga+or+khanda+is+sword&pg=PA10 Mythological Swords], Page 10. (खड्ग) or {{IAST|khaṅga}}, from a root {{IAST|khaṇḍ}} meaning "to break, divide, cut, destroy". The older word for a bladed weapon, {{IAST|asi}}, is used in the Rigveda in reference to either an early form of the sword or to a sacrificial knife or dagger to be used in war.
Appearance
The blade broadens from the hilt to the point, which is usually quite blunt. While both edges are sharp, one side usually has a strengthening plate along most of its length, which both adds weight to downward cuts and allows the wielder to place their hand on the plated edge. The hilt has a large plate guard and a wide finger guard connected to the pommel. The pommel is round and flat with a spike projecting from its centre. The spike may be used offensively or as a grip when delivering a two-handed stroke. The hilt is identical to that employed on another South Asian straight sword, the firangi. Sirohi sword is in contrast to the straight-bladed Khanda (sword).{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=आन-बान-शान की प्रतीक हैं सिरोही की तलवार,अब भी होती है सोने-चांदी की नक्काशी |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/rajasthan/sirohi-swords-of-sirohi-are-a-symbol-of-pride-and-honour-gold-and-silver-carvings-make-them-special-8369062.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=News18 हिंदी |language=hi}}
History
Early swords appear in the archaeological record of ritual copper swords in Fatehgarh Northern India and Kallur in Southern India.{{cite book |last= Murty|first= M. L. K.|title= Pre- and Protohistoric Andhra Pradesh Up to 500 B.C.|orig-year=2003|year= 2003|publisher= Orient Longman|isbn=81-250-2475-1}} although the Puranas and Vedas give an even older date to the sacrificial knife.{{cite book |last= Allchin, F. R. |author-link= F. Raymond Allchin |editor=Johanna Engelberta, Lohuizen-De Leeuw|title= South Asian Archaeology 1975: Papers from the Third International|orig-year=1979|year= 1979|chapter=A South Indian Copper Sword and its significance|publisher= BRILL|isbn=90-04-05996-2}} Straight swords, (as well as other swords curved both inward and outward), have been used in Indian history since the Iron Age Mahajanapadas (roughly 600 to 300 BC), being mentioned in the Sanskrit epics, and used by soldiers in armies such as those of the Mauryan Empire. Several sculptures from the Gupta era (AD 280–550) portray soldiers holding khanda-like broadswords. These are again flared out at the tip. They continued to be used in art such as Chola-era murtis.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
There is host of paintings depicting the khanda being worn by Rajput kings throughout the medieval era. It was used usually by foot-soldiers and by nobles who were unhorsed in battle. The Rajput warrior clans venerated the khanda as a weapon of great prestige.
File:Varaha_Cave_Bas_relief.jpg
According to some, the design was improved by the Great Rajput Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} He added a back spine on the blade to add more strength. He also made the blade wider and flatter, making it a formidable cutting weapon. It also gave a good advantage to infantry over light cavalry enemy armies.
Rajput warriors in battle wielded the khanda with both hands and swung it over their head when surrounded and outnumbered by the enemy. It was in this manner that they traditionally committed an honourable last stand rather than be captured. Even today they venerate the khanda on the occasion of Dasara.
Maharana Pratap is known to have wielded a khanda.
The son in law of Miyan Tansen, Naubat Khan also wielded khanda and the family was known as Khandara Beenkar.
Wazir Khan Khandara was a famous beenkar of 19th century.
Many Sikh warriors of the Akali-Nihang order are known to have wielded khandas. For instance, Baba Deep Singh is famous for wielding a khanda in his final battle before reaching his death, which is still preserved at Akaal Takhat Sahib.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/deep.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602004008/http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/deep.html |archive-date=2009-06-02 |url-status=dead }} Akali Phula Singh is also known to have wielded a khanda, and this practise was popular among officers and leaders in the Sikh Khalsa Army as well as by Sikh sardars of the Misls and of the Sikh Empire. The Sikh martial art, Gatka also uses khandas.
The Khandayat community of Odisha is known for being a martial community mastering the wielding of Khanda Sword.
=In religion=
In Dharmic religions, Khanda is represented as wisdom cutting through the veil of ignorance. Hindu and Buddhist deities are often shown wielding or holding khanda sword in religious art. Notably, Buddhist guardian deities like Arya Achala, Manjushri, Mahakala, Palden Lhamo etc.
In Sikhism the Khanda serves as a religious symbol, with the Khanda itself taking center within a chakram, flanked by two kirpan.
Gallery
File:Manjushri from Rig Sum Gonpo (Lords of the Three Families), view 1, collected by Sven Hedin in 1930, Efi Khalkha temple, Chahar, Inner Mongolia - Östasiatiska museet, Stockholm - DSC09304.JPG|Manjushri wielding Khanda.
File:Acala, the Buddhist Protector.jpg|Acala wielding Khanda.
File:Mahākāla - AMNH - DSC06234.JPG|Mahakala wielding Khanda.
File:不動明王.JPG|Acala holding Khanda in up-right position.
File:Sikh Akalis On March Original.jpg|A Sikh Akali-Nihang Sardar, holding a Khanda.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
- The History and Culture of the Indian People - Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan
- Hindu Arms and Ritual - Robert Elgood
- When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art - Phillip B. Zarrilli
- The Art of War in Ancient India - P.C. Chakravarti
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070426103108/http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/armour.html Armours at National Museum India]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928220514/http://horsesandswords.blogspot.com/2006/12/guerrilla-warfare-iii-horses-and.html The Talwar and the Khanda]
{{Swords by region}}
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