Khanjar dagger
Unknown Artist
c. 1600s
Medium
Jade hilt with iron and gold; steel blade with iron and gold; wood sheath covered in velvet with metallic thread
Dimensions
l. 34.4 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of S. D. Wright
Accession Number
1930.708
About this artwork
Daggers with curved blades, known as khanjar, were worn tucked into the belt as one of the basic accessories for Mughal men. An all-purpose knife that could be used in hunting or fighting, the khanjar was also a visible status symbol. The use of jade and gold indicates that this dagger was owned by a member of the court. The gold inscriptions on the blade, just under the hilt, are quotations from the Qur’an, the most sacred book for Muslims. On one side is the opening line: “In the Name of God t...