A rare gold-overlaid (koftgari) steel push dagger (katar) with tiger stripe (bubri) motifs, South India, probably Mysore, 18th century

This splendid katar stands among the most unique examples of a distinct form that developed in South India. Evolving from sturdy, highly functional weapons, the limited confines of their transverse grip and narrow upright flanges inspired sophisticated shapes and intricate decoration. This particular form spread across South India from the eighteenth century, as visible on a number of examples in public collections including a dagger in the Metropolitan Museum (inv. no.36.25.949) with a comparable forte, and various models in the Victoria & Albert Museum, one with koftgari decoration (inv. no.3314(IS)) and the other flaunting a similar slender blade to ours (inv. no.3204&A(IS)). Such elongated, slightly asymmetrical double-edged blades appear to be of European production, possibly originating from the far end of a sword blade.

As the type was adopted across India, katars became a standard clothing accessory at court. Royals and nobles were often depicted wearing these daggers around their waist, as visible on a number of miniatures in the Akbarnama (see for example Abu'l-Fazl, one of the disciples of Din-i-Ilahi, presenting Akbarnama to Akbar, Mughal Library, IMG101812). As such, the katar grew to symbolise wealth and nobility, and was simultaneously associated with bravery and martial skills. Dr Tobias Capwell (2009) reports that for members of the Indian elite, hunting tigers armed with a katar was a popular sport, the successful completion of which stood as the highest distinction among hunters.

The Indian reverence for tigers is epitomised by the distinctive bubri pattern seen adorning the hilt of the present dagger. The tiger was adopted as the personal emblem of Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, whose love for the animal permeated every form of decorative art under his reign. This included weaponry, as demonstrated by several swords with a strongly pronounced tiger theme found in connection with Tipu’s personal ownership and entourage. A sword from his armoury was sold in these rooms, 26 April 2023, and two others are preserved in the Royal Collection Trust (inv. no.RCIN 67211) and in the Clive Collection at Powis Castle (cat. no.34), all mounted with tiger-shaped hilts and adorned with bubri motifs.