We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Dagger ('khanjar')

Artists

Unknown Artist

Alternate image of Dagger ('khanjar') by

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    North India → India
    Cultural origin
    Mughal or Rajput
    Period
    Mughal Empire circa 1526 - 1857 → India
    Media category
    Arms & armour
    Materials used
    steel with bone handle, pigment; blue scabbard
    Dimensions
    35.0 cm
    Credit
    Gift of Dr and Mrs D Hodgkinson 2007
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    42.2008
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    According to Stuart Carey Welch, both Mughal armourers and jewellers collaborated to produce weapons. Blades of various shapes and sizes are an integral feature of the costume of Mughal and Rajput men. Inspection of Indian miniature paintings shows the Emperor, as well as any accompanying soldier wearing a dagger tucked into his waistband. They were also received as gifts at the imperial court, used in traditional Indian warfare and formed an integral part of royal attire.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, Jan 2016.