Khanjarli dagger, probably made in Orissa late seventeenth or early to mid eighteenth century. Recurved double-edged dagger with elaborate central ridge. Above the grip there is a steel dished guard that follows South Indian seventeenth century form. There are rudimentary makara heads on either side the blade at the forte which provide ritual protection against bhutas and revenge from a victim' ghost. The knuckle bow has a chiseled lion’s head at the terminal. The curved grip and lunette pommel is made of ivory secured to the hilt by rivets. The knuckle bow, guard and forte all exhibit vestiges of gilding with sheath.
fighting
