Chakram

For other uses, seeChakram (disambiguation).

Chakram
Sikhs with chakrams,inscribed "Nihang Abchal Nagar" (NihangfromHazur Sahib), 1844
Type	Circle
Place of origin	Indian subcontinent
Production history
Variants	Chakri Chakri dang

Thechakram(Sanskrit:cakra, cakram;Punjabi:cakkra, cakkram) is a throwing weapon from theIndian subcontinent.It is circular with a sharpened outer edge and a diameter of 12–30 cm (4.7–11.8 in). It is also known aschalikarmeaning "circle", and was sometimes referred to in English writings as a "war-quoit".The chakram is primarily a throwing weapon, but can also be used hand-to-hand. A smaller variant calledchakriis worn on the wrist. A related weapon is thechakri dong,a bamboo staff with achakriattached at one end.

History

The earliest references to the chakram come from the fifth century BCEIndian epicsMahabharataandRamayana,where theSudarshana Chakrais the weapon of the godVishnu.Contemporaneous Tamil poems from the second century BCE record it asthikiri(திகிரி).Chakra-dhāri( "chakram-wielder" or "disc-bearer" ) is a name forKrishna.The chakram was later used extensively by theSikhsat least until the days ofRanjit Singh.Even in present days, theNihangswear chakkar on theirdamalaasand also in the uniform ofSikh Regimentworn onturban.It came to be associated with Sikhs because of theNihangpractice of wearing chakram on their arms, around the neck and even tied in tiers on high turbans. Portuguese chroniclerDuarte Barbosawrites (c. 1516) of the chakram being used in theDelhi Sultanate.

The people of the kingdom... are very good fighting men and good knights, armed with many kinds of weapons; they are great bowmen, and very strong men; they have very good lances, swords, daggers, steel maces, and battle-axes, with which they fight; and they have some steel wheels, which they call chakarani, two fingers broad, sharp outside like knives, and without edge inside; and the surface of these is of the size of a small plate. And they carry seven or eight of these each, put on the left arm; and they take one and put it on the finger of the right hand, and make it spin round many times, and so they hurl it at their enemies, and if they hit anyone on the arm or leg or neck, it cuts through all. And with these they carry on much fighting, and are very dexterous with them.

From its native India, variations of the chakram spread to other Asian countries. InTibetandMalaysia,it was not flat buttorus-like.Mongolcavalry used a similar throwing weapon with spiked edges.

Chakarani is a name for flat, steel, throwing ring similar to the chakram and used by theJubbatribe of central Africa.

Construction

Mid-19th centuryNihangturban fromLahore.Cotton over a wicker frame and steel overlaid with gold. "A tall conical turban provided convenient transportation for a number of sharp steel quoits – edged weapons hurled to lethal effect by the practised hand of the Akalis."

Chakram are traditionally made from steel or brass which is beaten into a circular shape against an anvil with an indentation for the curvature. Two ends are connected with a piece of brass and then heated, forming a complete circle before the brass is removed. Some chakram, even those used in combat, were ornately engraved, or inlaid with brass, silver or gold.

The chakram is 13 and 25 cm (5.1 and 9.8 in) wide and is typically 13 and 30 cm (5.1 and 11.8 in) in diameter. The smaller variations are known aschakriwhile the larger ones are calledvada chakra,which were as large as a shield.

Techniques

The chakram's combat application is largely dependent on its size. Regular-sized (diameter of 15 cm (5.9 in) or more) steel chakram could be thrown 40–60 m (130–200 ft), while brass chakram, due to their better airfoil design, could be thrown in excess of 100 m (330 ft). If properly constructed, it should be a perfect circle. Warriors trained by throwing chakram at lengths of greenbamboo.In single combat, the chakram could be thrown underarm like a modernAerobie.In battles, it was usually thrown vertically so as to avoid accidentally hitting an ally on the left or right side. A stack of chakram could be quickly thrown one at a time likeshuriken.On elephant or horseback, chakram could be more easily thrown than spears or arrows. Because of its aerodynamic circular shape it is not easily deflected by wind.

The most iconic method of throwing a chakram istajani,wherein the weapon is twirled on the index finger of an upraised hand and thrown with a timed flick of the wrist. The spin is meant to add power and range to the throw, while also avoiding the risk of cutting oneself on the sharp outer edge. An adept user can twirl the chakram while using another weapon with the other hand. The use of tajani in battle was perfected by theNihangwho employed a particular formation to protect the chakram-wielder from harm. Although variants of the chakram would make their way to neighbouring parts of the region, the tajani technique appears to have remained unique toIndian martial arts.

The smaller chakri could also be worn on the arms or wrists and used likeknuckledusters.When worn on the arms the chakri could be used to break or cut the opponent's arms while grappling. The largervada chakrawere worn around the neck and thrown or dropped down on the opponent vertically. In the turban, it could be raked across an enemy's face or eyes while fighting.

Modern inventions and applications

In the 1970s, the American inventorAlan Adlerbegan attempting to improve upon a flying toy disc by considering its design characteristics. He tried streamlining the shape of the disc to reduce drag, but this resulted in a disc that was more unstable in flight. Eventually, inspired by British accounts of deadly Indian weaponry and martial arts, he turned his attention to the ring shape of the chakram. This led to the development of the predecessor of theAerobie,which was called the "Skyro".

See also

• Boomerang
• Gatka
• Javelin
• Shuriken
• Throwing knife
• Wind and fire wheels
• Xena: The Warrior Princess

External links

• Details of chakram history and use
• History of chakram
• More history and cultural details
• http://www.flight-toys.com/rings/chackrum.html
• Chakrams history during World War One