Gatka Weapons
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Barcha
A long shafted weapon for thrusting and cuting. The spearheads could also be used for grabling attempts or to hook behind the enemy shield. There is also a small spike an reverse end.
Chakram
See main article Chakram
Chakram is a flat steel ring from five to twelve inches in diameter and from half an inch to an inch and a half wide, the outer edge is sharp. lt is usually plain but sometimes elaborately inlaid. It resembles the modern frisbee, and the ancient Greek sport item Discus.
Dahl
See main article Dahl
Dahl is the Gatka shield that is nearly always round and varies in diameter from about eight inches to about twenty-four. Some are very nearly flat while others are strongly convex. The edges may be flat or rolled back in the reverse curvature of the shield.
Gurj
Gurj is the Indian mace that has great variations in their shape. From simply curved steel bars to persian influenced maces with openings in the head wich gave a whistling sound when the blow was struck to plane massive heads.
Kaman
Kaman is the term that refers to the Gatka bow. Generally, it is made of steel with a block of wood at the handles. Others are made of up to nine layers of wood or horn.
Katar
See main article Katar
Katar is the oldest and most characteristic of Indian knives. The peculiarity lies in the handle which is made up of two parallel bars connected by two, or more, crosspieces, one of which is at the end of the side bars and is fastened to the blade. The Katar is wraped to the hand to optimize the grip and the blades are aIways double-edged and generally straight, but occasionally curved. They are of all lengths from a few inches to about three feet.
Khanda
See main article Khanda
Khanda is the oldest and most typical of Indlan swords. lt has a broad, straight blade, ually widening towards the point, which is generally quite blunt. Sometimes it is double-edged; but, it generally has a strengthening plate with ornamental borders on the back for a considerable part of its length.
Kirpan
See main article Kirpan
Kirpan is the ceremonial dagger always carried by a Sikh. It is a typical knife that usualy has a curved blade. The kirpan has both a physical function, as a defensive weapon, as well as a symbolic function because it should only be used to prevent violence to be done to a defenseless person when all other means to do so have failed.
Lathi (weapon)
Lathi which literally means "bamboo stick" is a weapon is nearly everywhere available and very dangerous when used in the right way. Lathis should be as long as the warrior and Bamboo, Ironwood or Oak are prefered.
Marati
Marati is the training device of Gatka made from a bamboo stick with wooden or cloth balls on its ends. It is mainly used for training purposes but there are variations with blades or burning cloth on its ends, to attack and distract elephants and for psychological warfare.
Soti
The Soti is made from fire hardened bamboo or ratan, 1m long and usualy has a hand guard. It is mainly used for practice and "playing Gatka", the training fight. For combat they were replaced by oak ore ironwood sticks, without hand guards.
Tabar
See main article Tabar
Tabar or Tapar is the term that refers to the Indian battle axe. It ranges from of all sizes from light weapons, to heavy pole axes requiring the use of both arms. The Indian axes are generally lighter than the European and often have the handle made of a flat plate of steel with pieces of wood riveted to each side.
Talwar
See main article Talwar
The Talwar or the Indian Sabre is a general name for a group of Indian swords. lt includes practically all of the curved swords used in India, but those of very marked curvature are frequently called by their Persian name, shamshir.
Tir
The Tir or Indian arrows have steel heads of a great variety of shapes, with tangs fitting into the shafts, which are generally of reed. The shafts are often painted and gilded elaborately. These arrows have three feathers and bone, or ivory.
