Word of the Day -- Bagh Naka

The bagh naka, or panja, is a claw-like weapon from India designed to fit over the knuckles or be concealed under and against the palm. It consists of four or five curved blades affixed to a crossbar or glove, and is designed to slash through skin and muscle. It is believed to have been inspired by the armature of big cats, and the term bagh naka itself means tiger's claw in Hindi.

 

Several variations of bagh naka exist, including one in which the single crossbar is replaced by two plates hinged together; with an additional loop and claw for the thumb. Earliest bagh naka did not utilize loops for the fingers, rather round holes were punched through the central plate. Many bagh nakha also incorporated a spike or blade on one end of the crossbar. This form was known as a bichuwa bagh naka because the blade was based on that of the bichuwa (scorpion knife).