Bagh naka

The Baghnakh (Hindi: बाघनख, bāghnakh, dt: Tiger 's Claw ) is a medieval, the brass knuckles similar weapon from India.

Description

The Baghnakh consists of a rectangular piece of metal or from a flat bar with the width of a hand. At each end of a metal ring is mounted. On the flat iron or the rectangular metal piece 2 to 5 sharp claws are attached, which are very similar to those of a (large) Cat. Another version has only one ring on which a single claw is mounted directly. This ring is plugged into the ring or middle finger. The blade lengths vary from version to version. They came about in the 17th century.

Sometimes the claws of Baghnakh with the blade of the dagger Bichwa were combined. There are versions in which the blade is mounted, such as at a diameter of thumb.

Use

Index finger and the little finger are inserted through the rings on the outer sides. When one closes the hand, the fingers to cover the outer sides of the mouth sharp, so that the weapon is to the retaining rings hidden. The camouflage was increased when the retaining rings were decorated with precious stones and so had the appearance of harmless finger rings. In the battle thus uncovered parts of the body or only scantily clad body such as the neck or soft tissues are attacked.

A well-known use of the Baghnakh took place in 1659 by the Maratha leader Shivaji killed the Bijapur General Afsal Khan in single combat.