Khandas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of double-edged sword common in Indian martial tradition ; a broad-bladed weapon designed for slashing and thrusting in close combat ; historically significant as a ceremonial and battle sword used in South Asian cultures
2. A traditional curved Indian sword with a double-edged blade ; a weapon favored in historical warfare and symbolic rituals ; noted for its distinctive shape and effective cutting ability in melee fighting
3. An Indian sword characterized by a straight double-edged blade and a hilt often with a knuckle guard ; employed both as a weapon of war and a cultural symbol ; recognized for its balance between cutting power and thrusting capability

Etymology: "Khandas" is the plural of "khanda," the name of a double-edged Sikh sword with a distinctive shape, and the word comes into English from Punjabi, where the sword is called "khaṇḍā." That Punjabi form is itself a development of the Sanskrit "khaḍga," a general word for sword that also lies behind the Sanskrit name of the rhinoceros, which was valued for its horn and is associated with the idea of a single, sharp point. The Punjabi word preserves the older Sanskrit sound "khaḍga" in a shortened, altered shape, a common pattern as Indian languages developed from Sanskrit over many centuries. The sword itself is most closely linked with the Sikh tradition, where it appears in religious ceremony and symbolism, and this ritual role is why it is often described as more than a battlefield weapon.

Synonyms: khanda, Indian sword