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{{Short description|Type of sword common in Indian martial arts}} | {{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 | {{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}{{Infobox weapon | ||
|name= Khanda | |name= Khanda | ||
| image= Rajput Khanda.jpg | | image= Rajput Khanda.jpg | ||
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|manufacturer= | |manufacturer= | ||
|unit_cost= | |unit_cost= | ||
|production_date= Similar weapons used from at least the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta period]] (320-550 | |production_date= Similar weapons used from at least the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta period]] (320-550) to present. | ||
|number= | |number= | ||
|variants= | |variants= | ||
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|haft_type= | |haft_type= | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''khanda''' ({{lang-sa|खड्ग}}) is a double-edge straight sword originating from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. 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]].<ref name="mty">M. L. K. Murty (2003), p91</ref> Khanda often appears in Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Hindu scriptures and art.<ref>{{cite book | last = Teece | first = Geoff | title = Sikhism | publisher = Black Rabbit Books | isbn = 1583404694 | page = 18}}</ref> | The '''khanda''' ({{lang-sa|खड्ग}}) is a double-edge straight sword originating from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The [[Maratha Army|Maratha]] 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]].<ref name="mty">M. L. K. Murty (2003), p91</ref> Khanda often appears in the Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Hindu scriptures and art.<ref>{{cite book | last = Teece | first = Geoff | title = Sikhism | year = 2005 | publisher = Black Rabbit Books | isbn = 1583404694 | page = 18}}</ref> | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
Early swords appear in the archaeological record of ritual copper swords in [[Fatehgarh]] Northern India and [[Kallur archaeological site|Kallur]] in Southern India.<ref>{{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}}</ref> although the Puranas and Vedas give an even older date to the sacrificial knife.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 in soldiers in armies such as those of the [[Mauryan Empire]]. Several sculptures from the [[Gupta Empire|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 Empire|Chola]]-era [[murti]]s.{{citation needed|date=September | Early swords appear in the archaeological record of ritual copper swords in [[Fatehgarh]] Northern India and [[Kallur archaeological site|Kallur]] in Southern India.<ref>{{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}}</ref> although the Puranas and Vedas give an even older date to the sacrificial knife.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 in soldiers in armies such as those of the [[Mauryan Empire]]. Several sculptures from the [[Gupta Empire|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 Empire|Chola]]-era [[murti]]s.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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[[File:Varaha_Cave_Bas_relief.jpg|thumb|Goddess Durga wielding khanda sword, 7th century.]] | [[File:Varaha_Cave_Bas_relief.jpg|thumb|Goddess Durga wielding khanda sword, 7th century.]] | ||
According to some, the design was improved by [[Prithviraj Chauhan]].{{Citation needed|date=August | According to some, the design was improved by the Great [[Rajput]] Emperor [[Prithviraj Chauhan]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} 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 [[Mysore Dasara|Dasara]]. | 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 [[Mysore Dasara|Dasara]]. | ||
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Many [[Sikh]] warriors of the [[Nihang|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[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 [[sirdar|Sikh sardars]] of the [[Misl]]s and of the [[Sikh Empire]]. The Sikh martial art, [[Gatka]] also uses khandas. | Many [[Sikh]] warriors of the [[Nihang|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[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 [[sirdar|Sikh sardars]] of the [[Misl]]s 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 Religion=== | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery mode=packed> | <gallery mode="packed"> | ||
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: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:Acala, the Buddhist Protector.jpg|[[Acala]] wielding Khanda. | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
*[[Indian sword]] | |||
*[[Firangi (sword)]] | *[[Firangi (sword)]] | ||
*[[Khandayat]] | *[[Khandayat]] | ||
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[[Category:Indian swords]] | [[Category:Indian swords]] | ||
[[Category:South Asian swords]] | [[Category:South Asian swords]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Indian melee weapons]] | ||
[[Category:Medieval blade weapons]] | [[Category:Medieval blade weapons]] | ||