Qatar (weapons): description, characteristics and reviews. Indian dagger Qatar

Qatar is a typer-type weapon characterized by the presence of an H-shaped horizontal handle and a blade at the level of the user's knuckles. For the first time this kind of arsenal appeared in South India. Having spread throughout Asia, it became a symbol of status, like the Japanese katana. Princes and nobles were often portrayed with the cathars behind their belts. It was not only a precautionary measure for self-defense, but also a means for demonstrating one's wealth and position. Members of the upper class of Rajputs and Moguls took blades with them, hunting for tigers. If it was possible to kill the beast with this short-range weapon, this was considered to be the surest sign of courage and combat skill.

Indian blades in the European market

Since the XVI century, after India was colonized by the British, Qatar, a weapon that often made from broken sword blades, fell into the market of European collectors. Among them were blades resembling scissors with two or three blades. They were stacked together until the handle flaps remained pressed against each other. If they are diluted in the sides, the blades open, causing additional damage to the enemy. These novelties were popular among foreigners, but not applicable in practice in real combat operations.

Appearance

Qatar is a weapon that is a short, wide, triangular blade. Its feature is a handle, consisting of two parallel rods, which are connected by means of two or more transverse rods. The blade, as a rule, reaches from 30 to 90 cm in length. Weapons can be different in form. Most specimens have straight blades, but are also wavy and slightly curved. Everyone chooses the option to your taste. Qatar is a weapon that can have one, two or three blades. Many blades have been thickened in a special way to prevent them from bending and breaking.

The Indian nobility often wore decorative catarrh as symbols of their social status. The handle was covered with enamel, gems or gold foil. On it, as well as on the blade itself, engraving was applied in the form of various figures, decorative designs and scenes from life. The higher the status of the owner, the more complex and rich was the decor created by the masters. The heat and humid climate of India made it impossible to use steel scabbards. Therefore, often cold weapons of Qatar were stored in cases made of such fabrics as velvet or silk.

Blade for the most agile warriors

What is Qatar? The weapon, which required special physical preparation, quick reaction and dexterity, was intended primarily for getting into the head and upper body. Side handles could be used to lock or less often for defenses. The owner of such weapons had to be clever enough and quick to evade the attacks of the enemy and quickly strike. The big advantage was light weight and relatively small size.

The Indian dagger of Qatar was used in close hand-to-hand combat. The Indian martial arts in general were characterized by speed, agility and acrobatic maneuvers. In the 16th century, at least one battle style was studied there, which implied the use of a pair of deadly blades: one in each hand. The use of catarrh means an improved acrobatic skill than any other cold arsenal, such as a knife or a standard dagger. Strikes are applied as if by fists, and not by weapons, which is more natural for defense and attack. If the blade consists of several blades, then with its help it is possible to easily catch any more traditional weapon, for example, a sword, and take it away from yourself. In the narrow passage, the owner of the catarrh will have a greater advantage.

Qatar: the history of non-standard point-and-shoot weapons

The period of the appearance of the catarrh is the period from the 16th to the 18th century. Although he was invented much earlier. In the XIV century, an Arab traveler Ibn Battuta described one of the scenes he observed in India: "The villagers surrounded him, and one of them attacked him with the Qatari. This is the name of the iron weapon, reminiscent of the share of the plow. The arm is inserted into it in such a way that the forearm is protected. The blade is a continuation of the limb. He has two cubits in length. The consequences of using this deadly weapon can be serious. "

A blade in the form of an isosceles triangle with a wide base provides a good damaging effect. Deep stab wounds lead to rapid loss of blood, such wounds, as a rule, do not tighten and long heal. The length of the blade can vary within wide limits: from 10 cm to one meter or more. It was also a good way to prevent the loss of weapons in a protracted battle. It was not difficult to hold the blade in your hand, regardless of the fatigue of the warrior. The possibility of a powerful attack, including on a solid target, led to the fact that many samples were used as weapons to penetrate armor. Such blades had a characteristic thickening near the point.

Technologies used in decorating

Indian gunsmiths used a variety of materials, including notching with gold and silver, when decorating such a type of blade as Indian catarrh. The cold weapons of the whole world were supplemented by a huge assortment of exotic and deadly knives of different shapes and sizes, which were used in combat as a continuation of the hand.

One of the most common methods of finishing was the traditional Indian gold inlay. The essence of the method was as follows: to make a drawing, an acutely sharpened metal tip was used. In the resulting deep scratches were placed crushed gold (less often silver), after which the entire surface was subjected to heating, and then processing with a hammer. The last step was the grinding of the surface with a special white porous stone of abrasive nature.

Favorite weapon of the upper class of Rajputs

Qatar is the weapon of the Indian Rajputs. This proves numerous medieval paintings depicting scenes of banquets and banquets, where the hosts and guests had this unusual weapon behind their belts. Rajputs wore blades on the right side. For many centuries their form has undergone very slight changes. That is, the XIV century Qatar differs little from the arsenal produced in the XIX century.

It was quite effective cold steel due to its speed and penetrating ability. Despite the fact that it has ceased to be manufactured and used since the XIX century, the image of the catarrh can still be found today. The ancient blade is painted on the official emblem of the modern Rajput regiment - the special unit of the Indian army.

Features of the point weapon

The blade blades were made of very high-quality steel, with edges sharp as a razor. When attacking in a jerk, the whole body weight was used, so when you hit it you could get serious injuries incompatible with life. On ancient engravings, you can find images of armed men, who, besides a sword or a saber, were also cached. It was used by them as an additional weapon during the battle, as it was one of the best and effective means for blocking a large arsenal.

Unique weapon

Since the time when man began to hunt animals, he began developing various types of weapons. Initially, for murder and defense, pointed stones and sticks were used. With the opening of the metal, various types of cold arsenal began to be manufactured: swords, knives, bow and arrows. Such weapons as Qatar were used not only for murder and self-defense, but also had great religious and historical significance. Arsenal was also considered a symbol of the status and military dignity of Rajputs, Sikhs and Moguls. In addition to being used for self-defense, Qatar was also used to demonstrate wealth and high status.

Types of catarrh

Pointers were designed to inflict stabbing blows during an attack on opponents. All varieties of catarrh had great penetrating power and strength, quickly piercing living flesh. Rajputs were warriors who often used two blades simultaneously, one in each hand. There are many different types of point-and-shoot weapons. One of the most popular was considered to be scissors. This type included additional blades, hidden in the handle and located there until the secret mechanism triggered by pressing a special lever.

The Indian Rajputs possessed an amazing talent in designing and creating formidable and deadly weapons. In addition to the Qatar, the sword of Khand was widely used in military affairs. It was a straight, double-edged blade on both sides, which was one of the most powerful tools ever produced in India. Another unusual weapon is the chakrama - it's a simple steel circle with sharp edges, which was launched into the opponent.