Katar of Hindustan: the dagger of tiger hunters (composition, structure and properties)

The weapon complex of Hindustan is represented by one of the most authentic types of H-handled push daggers: “katars” or, as they are called in India, “jamdhars”. Katars are a vivid demonstration of ethnic bladed weapons, which were originally used for hunting large predators and later, under the Mughal dynasties, were used as an integral part of the ruling elite’s traditional costume. Basing on chemical and microstructural analysis, the article describes presumed methods of production of ten Indian katar blades dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. At least two alleged technological solutions for artisanal production of katar-type daggers were identified in the studied samples. The oldest bloomery process is found to be used on three blades from the 16th and 17th centuries, while crucible process is seen on seven blades dated to the 18th and 19th centuries. Moreover, the authors believe that in some cases, in addition to the traditional forging of blades from crucible ingots, Indian smiths could obtain a cast billet directly in the form of a blade by casting low-carbon white iron into sand molds with subsequent refinement by forging. The article points out that the territory of Hindustan was a rather motley area in terms of diversity of metallurgical technologies, which was demonstrated by the present research. The paper also notes that there is no general temporal relationship in the experimental data of chemical and structural analysis, which demonstrates the absence of enduring traditions in artisanal blade production technology in India at the turn of the 16th – 19th centuries. This is most likely due to various negative historical processes in the region at that time.