Khanda (sword)

Did You Know?

• The word khanda comes from a Sanskrit root meaning 'to break, divide, cut, destroy'.
• The older Sanskrit word for a bladed weapon appears in the Rigveda, referring to an early sword or a sacrificial knife.
• The Sirohi sword is in contrast to the straight-bladed khanda.

Appearance

The khanda’s blade widens as it moves from the hilt toward the tip, which is generally fairly dull. Both sides are sharp, but a reinforcing plate runs along most of one edge, making downward strikes heavier and letting the user rest a hand on that side. The hilt features a large plate guard and a broad finger guard that connects to the pommel. That pommel is round and flat, with a central spike that can be used to attack or as an extra handhold for two-handed swings. This hilt matches the one found on the firangi, another straight sword from South Asia.

History

Early swords appear in the archaeological record of ritual copper swords at Fatehgarh in Northern India and Kallur in Southern India, though the Puranas and Vedas give an even older date to the sacrificial knife. Straight swords have been used in Indian history since the Iron Age Mahajanapadas (roughly 600 to 300 BC), being mentioned in Sanskrit epics and used by soldiers of the Mauryan Empire. Gupta-era sculptures (AD 280–550) portray soldiers holding khanda-like broadswords flared at the tip.

Chola-era murtis also depict the weapon. Paintings show Rajput kings wearing the khanda throughout the medieval era; it was used by foot-soldiers and by nobles who were unhorsed in battle. According to some, the design was improved by Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan, who added a back spine for strength and made the blade wider and flatter, giving infantry an advantage over light cavalry. Rajput warriors wielded the khanda with both hands and swung it over their head when surrounded, committing an honourable last stand rather than being captured.

They still venerate the khanda on Dasara. Maharana Pratap is known to have wielded one. Naubat Khan, son-in-law of Miyan Tansen, also used a khanda, and his family was known as Khandara Beenkar. Wazir Khan Khandara was a famous beenkar of the 19th century.

Many Sikh warriors of the Akali-Nihang order wielded khandas; Baba Deep Singh used one in his final battle, and it is preserved at Akaal Takhat Sahib. Akali Phula Singh also wielded a khanda, and the practice was popular among officers and leaders in the Sikh Khalsa Army, as well as Sikh sardars of the Misls and the Sikh Empire. The Sikh martial art Gatka uses khandas. The Khandayat community of Odisha has historically been associated with martial traditions and training in the use of the khanda sword.