Author:Anonymous

Category：Weapons and defense

Year：18th century

Size:Length:118.5 (cm)

Introduction：Pata is the name given to the Indian gauntlet sword which clearly evolved from the Indian dagger 'katar' which has vertical bars that protect the hand. To this was added a knuckle guard. Slowly the development of a full hand and lower arm guard evolved and in conjunction with a longer blade. The pata was born.

The Mahratta Empire existed from 1674 to 1818, and its territory covered much of India. Generally, it is credited for the downfall of the Mughal Empire (1526-1857). The patas were invented by the Mahrattas and were essentially a weapon for a mounted man, although foot soldiers sometimes used them. The use of it condemns the right hand for any other purpose. It could be used both as a slashing weapon and as a lance. It is manoeuvred by the forearm and not by the wrist. The interior is usually lined with a textile padding.

This is an exceptional and beautiful example of the characteristic Indo-Persian weapon, lavishly overlaid with gold scrollwork decoration with an unrecognized inscription in gold. This type of weapon is rarely decorated in such an abundant manner and with such thick gold. It was almost certainly the property of an important Maharaja.

Accession Number:0009970

Place of Orgin：India, Mahratta Empire