Sword Sunday #22: "The cutter", the Indian Khanda

You know a blade is mission focused when its actually named 'cutter', and for all intents and purposes, that is what the Khanda's name means. Derived from the Sanskrit word khaḍga, which literally translates to "To break, to divide, cut, or destroy", the Khanda's design puts one every ounce of its manufacture into making the most out of its powerful cutting blow. 

A historical Kanda

Kanda's are characterized by their long flat blade that actually broadens at the end, and the bar guard in front of the grip to protect the hand. The weapon has no piercing ability, and no intent for one, Rather the leading and back edges are sharp, though some designs have parts of the back flattened in order to offer a place grip or push. While the blade length varies from weapon to weapon, contemporary drawings of it show blade to be nominally the length of a man's arm, roughly 90cm or just under three feet.  

A late 17th century Kanda

Kanda's are believed to have evolved from broadswords of the 1st and 2nd centuries, but contemporary illustrations and carvings ranging from 250AD to 600AD clearly depict soldiers wielding Kanda style weapons. 

It is popularly believed that the weapon's thickened back end and blunt hand spot were instituted by Prithviraj Chauhan (1178–1192 CE ),  king during the  Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasty.

The Kanda was considered the staple infantryman's weapon on the Indian subcontinent until the end of the 1500s, when the balance of power had shifted towards cavalry and bow enough to favor lighter, faster weapons, a shift that would ultimately end with early eastern firearms overtaking the battlefield. 

His Lordship Ivo Blackhawk
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"Long Live the King!"