Khanjar Dagger From Rajasthan

The “khanjar” is a type of dagger originating from Persia and widely adopted in most Islamic cultures. Besides its functional use, the “khanjar” was also worn to indicate rank or social status. The more ornate it was, the higher the rank. Many Mughal rulers had a collection of elaborately patterned 'khanjar' daggers, made of precious materials such as jade, gold and precious stones. The Handle: Made of two halves soldered together and richly decorated with layers of gold in Nordic style cartouches filled with tendrils and foliage. The handle has an elegant I-shape and has a built-in guard protecting the fingers and holding the blade firmly in place. The blade: The curved, double-edged blade has a flat, plain steel surface with filed edges. The blade starts as wide as the hilt and extends to a sharp point. A wooden scabbard was attached, but appears to be of more recent production with colorful floral designs that preserve the blade.