The chakram ( Sanskrit : cakra, cakram ; Punjabi : cakkra, cakkram ) is a throwing weapon from the Indian subcontinent . It is circular with a sharpened outer edge and a diameter of 12–30 centimetres ( 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 –12 inches). It is also known as chalikar meaning "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 called chakri is worn on the wrist. A related weapon is the chakri dong , a bamboo staff with a chakri attached at one end.
47-525: The earliest references to the chakram come from the fifth century BCE Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana , where the Sudarshana Chakra is the weapon of the god Vishnu . Contemporaneous Tamil poems from the second century BCE record it as thikiri (திகிரி). Chakra-dhāri ("chakram-wielder" or "disc-bearer") is a name for Krishna . The chakram was later used extensively by the Sikhs at least until
94-467: A melee weapon used primarily in hand-to-hand combat . They are fitted and designed to be worn around the knuckles of the human hand. Despite their name, they are often made from other metals, plastics or carbon fibers and not necessarily brass . Designed to preserve and concentrate a punch 's force by directing it toward a harder and smaller contact area, they result in increased tissue disruption , including an increased likelihood of fracturing
141-481: A mold in the dirt. Some brass knuckles have rounded rings, which increase the impact of blows from moderate to severe damage. Other instruments (not generally considered to be "brass knuckles" or "metal knuckles" per se ) may have spikes, sharp points and cutting edges. These devices come in many variations and are called by a variety of names, including "knuckle knives." By the late 19th century, knuckledusters were incorporated into various kinds of pistols such as
188-484: A perfect circle. Warriors trained by throwing chakram at lengths of green bamboo . In single combat, the chakram could be thrown underarm like a modern Aerobie . 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 like shuriken . On elephant or horseback, chakram could be more easily thrown than spears or arrows. Because of its aerodynamic circular shape it
235-648: A style adopted from Sangam literature. Later, during the Chola period, Kamban (12th century) wrote what is considered one of the greatest Tamil epics — the Kamba Ramayanam of Kamban , based on the Valmiki Ramayana. The Thiruthondat Puranam (or Periya Puranam ) of Chekkizhar is the great Tamil epic of the Shaiva Bhakti saints and is part of the religious scripture of Tamil Nadu's majority Shaivites. Most of
282-641: Is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code . Plastic knuckles have been determined to be legal in Canada. In France , brass knuckles are illegal. They can be bought as a "collectable" (provided one is over 18), but it is forbidden to carry or use one, whatever the circumstance, including self-defense. The French term is coup-de-poing américain , which literally means 'American punch'. In Russia , brass knuckles were illegal to purchase or own during Imperial times and are still forbidden according to Article 6 of
329-651: Is a language with a rich granary of epic poetries, mostly written in archaic version of the Meitei script in Puyas , the Meitei texts. The sagas of the seven epic cycles of incarnations of the two divine lovers were originated from the shoreline Moirang around the Loktak lake in Manipur . Their stories were composed in both prose and poetry, among which the ballad versions were usually sung by
376-494: Is based on the legendary love story of Khuman Khamba , an orphan man, and Thoibi , the then princess of Moirang . Though the legend existed in the immortal songs of the Meitei balladeers, it was composed in a proper poetic version by Hijam Anganghal in 1940. The Numit Kappa , literally meaning "Shooting at the Sun" in Meitei , is a 1st-century BC Meitei epic, based on the story of a hero named Khwai Nungjeng Piba , who shoots one of
423-635: Is composed entirely in Kannada numerals . The Saangathya metre of Kannada poetry is employed in the work. It uses numerals 1 through 64 and employs various patterns or bandhas in a frame of 729 (27×27) squares to represent letters in nearly 18 scripts and over 700 languages. Some of the patterns used include the Chakrabandha , Hamsabandha , Varapadmabandha , Sagarabandha , Sarasabandha , Kruanchabandha , Mayurabandha , Ramapadabandha , and Nakhabandha . As each of these patterns are identified and decoded,
470-504: Is lost. The most famous poet from this period is Pampa (902-975 CE), one of the most famous writers in the Kannada language . His Vikramarjuna Vijaya (also called the Pampabharatha ) is hailed as a classic even to this day. With this and his other important work Ādi purāṇa he set a trend of poetic excellence for the Kannada poets of the future. The former work is an adaptation of
517-402: Is not easily deflected by wind. The most iconic method of throwing a chakram is tajani , 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
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#1732859178006564-701: Is the epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent , traditionally called Kavya (or Kāvya ; Sanskrit : काव्य, IAST: kāvyá ). The Ramayana and the Mahabharata , which were originally composed in Sanskrit and later translated into many other Indian languages, and the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature and Sangam literature are some of the oldest surviving epic poems ever written. In modern Hindi literature, Kamayani by Jaishankar Prasad has attained
611-642: The Apache revolver used by criminals in France in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. During World War I the US Army issued two different knuckle knives, the US model 1917 and US model 1918 Mark I trench knives . Knuckles and knuckle knives were also being made in England at the time and purchased privately by British soldiers. It was advised not to polish brass knuckles as allowing
658-467: The Delhi 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
705-922: The Sanskrit epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana were also translated into Meitei language in the medieval times. Other translated epic works include the Meghnad Badh Kavya , the Bhagavad Gita , and the Ashtakam . In 14th century Madhav Kandali dubbed the epic Ramayana as Saptakanda Ramayana . In chronology, among vernacular translations of the original Sanskrit, Kandali's Ramayana comes after Kamban 's ( Tamil , 12th century)and Gona Budda Reddy's ( Telugu : Ranganath Ramayanamu ) and ahead of Kirttivas ' ( Bengali , 15th century), Tulsidas ' ( Awadhi , 16th century), Balaram Das' (Oriya) etc. Thus it becomes
752-696: The Slaying of Śiśupāla Śiśupālavadha of Māgha , Arjuna and the Mountain Man Kirātārjunīya of Bhāravi , the Adventures of the Prince of Nishadha Naiṣadhacarita of Śrīharṣa and Bhaṭṭi's Poem Bhaṭṭikāvya of Bhaṭṭi . The post- sangam period (2nd century-6th century) saw many great Tamil epics being written, including Cilappatikaram (or Silappadhikaram ), Manimegalai , Civaka Cintamani , Valayapathi and Kundalakesi . Out of
799-720: The United Kingdom . Import of brass knuckles into Australia is illegal unless a government permit is obtained; permits are available for only limited purposes, such as police and government use, or use in film productions. They are prohibited weapons in the state of New South Wales . In Brazil , brass knuckles are legal and freely sold. They are called soco inglês , which means 'English punch', or soqueira , which means 'puncher'. In Canada , brass knuckles (Canadian French poing américain , which literally means 'American fist'), or any similar devices made of metal, are listed as prohibited weapons; possession of such weapon
846-514: The 1996 Federal Law on Weapons. They are called кастет (from French casse-tête , literally 'head breaker'). In Serbia , brass knuckles are legal to purchase and own (for people over 16 years old) but are not legal to carry in public. They are called боксер , literally 'boxer'. In Taiwan , according to the Law of the Republic of China , possession and sales of brass knuckles are illegal. Under
893-544: The 1st-2nd century. He wrote a biography of the Buddha, titled Buddhacarita. His second epic is called Saundarananda and tells the story of the conversion of Nanda, the younger brother of the Buddha. The play he wrote is called Śariputraprakaraṇa, but of this play only a few fragments remained. The famous poet and playwright Kālidāsa also wrote two epics: Raghuvamsha ( The Dynasty of Raghu ) and Kumarasambhava ( The Birth of Kumar Kartikeya ). Other classical Sanskrit epics are
940-550: The People's Republic of China", citizens can legally own them for self-defense , but they are prohibited items in certain places. For example, brass knuckles are not allowed to be carried when travelling on the subway, buses, trains, or other public transport. In ancient China , brass knuckles were popular, and were used regularly as a concealed weapon or self-defense tool. In the United States , brass knuckles are not prohibited at
987-686: The Telugu epics are about Hinduism . The first known Telugu epic was the Andhra Mahabharatam written by the Kavitrayam (11th-14th centuries) Other main Telugu epics are the Ranganatha Ramayanamu , Basava Purana , and the Amuktamalyada Brass knuckles Brass knuckles (also referred to as brass knucks , knuckledusters , iron fist and paperweight , among other names) are
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#17328591780061034-490: The arms the chakri could be used to break or cut the opponent's arms while grappling. The larger vada chakra were 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. In the 1970s, the American inventor Alan Adler began attempting to improve upon a flying toy disc by considering its design characteristics. He tried streamlining
1081-452: The brass to darken would act as camouflage on the battlefield. By World War II , knuckles and knuckle knives were quite popular with both American and British soldiers. The Model 1918 trench knives were reissued to American paratroopers . A notable knuckle knife still in use is the Cuchillo de Paracaidista , issued to Argentinian paratroopers . Current-issue models have an emergency blade in
1128-467: The celebrated Mahabharata , and is the first such adaptation in Kannada. Noted for the strong human bent and the dignified style in his writing, Pampa has been one of the most influential writers in Kannada. He is identified as Adikavi "first poet". It is only in Kannada that we have a Ramayana and a Mahabharata based on the Jain tradition in addition to those based on Brahmanical tradition. Shivakotiacharya
1175-476: The chakram spread to other Asian countries. In Tibet and Malaysia , it was not flat but torus -like. Mongol cavalry used a similar throwing weapon with spiked edges. Chakarani is a name for flat, steel, throwing ring similar to the chakram and used by the Jubba tribe of central Africa. Chakram are traditionally made from steel or brass which is beaten into a circular shape against an anvil with an indentation for
1222-549: The contents can be read. The work is said to have around 600,000 verses, nearly six times as big as the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata . The Prabhulingaleele , Basava purana , Channabasavapurana and Basavarajavijaya are a few of the Lingayat epics. Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language ), an old Sino-Tibetan language, originated from Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur ) in North East India ,
1269-543: The crossguard. Brass knuckles are illegal in several countries, including: Hong Kong , Austria , Belgium , Canada , Denmark , Bosnia , Croatia , Estonia , Cyprus , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Israel , Ireland , Malaysia , the Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Russia , Spain , Turkey , Sweden , Singapore , Taiwan , Ukraine , the United Arab Emirates and
1316-418: 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 as chakri while
1363-511: The days of Ranjit Singh . Even in present days, the Nihangs wear chakkar on their damalaas and also in the uniform of Sikh Regiment worn on turban . It came to be associated with Sikhs because of the Nihang practice of wearing chakram on their arms, around the neck and even tied in tiers on high turbans. Portuguese chronicler Duarte Barbosa writes ( c. 1516 ) of the chakram being used in
1410-575: The earliest phase of Classical Sanskrit , following the latest stage of Vedic Sanskrit found in the Shrauta Sutras . The Suparṇākhyāna , a late Vedic poem considered to be among the "earliest traces of epic poetry in India," is an older, shorter precursor to the expanded legend of Garuda that is included within the Mahābhārata . The Buddhist kavi Aśvaghoṣa wrote two epics and one drama. He lived in
1457-556: The first rendition of the Ramayana into an Indo-Aryan language in the Indian subcontinent. The ancient Sanskrit epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata comprise together the Itihāsa ( lit. ' writer has himself witnessed the story ' ) or Mahākāvya ("Great Compositions"), a canon of Hindu scripture . Inde bbu nued, the epic form prevailed and verse remained until very recently
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1504-569: The five, Manimegalai and Kundalakesi are Buddhist religious works, Civaka Cintamani and Valayapathi are Tamil Jain works and Silappatikaram has a neutral religious view. They were written over a period of 1st century CE to 10th century CE and act as the historical evidence of social, religious, cultural and academic life of people during the era they were created. Civaka Cintamani introduced long verses called virutha pa in Tamil literature, while Silappatikaram used akaval meter (monologue),
1551-494: The intended target's bones on impact. The extended and rounded palm grip also spreads the counter-force across the attacker's palm, which would otherwise have been absorbed primarily by the attacker's fingers. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the attacker's fingers. The weapon has been controversial for its easy concealability and is illegal to own and use in a number of countries. Metal ring and knuckle style weapons date back to ancient times and have been used all over
1598-416: The larger ones are called vada chakra , which were as large as a shield. The chakram's combat application is largely dependent on its size. Regular-sized (diameter of 15 cm or 6 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
1645-519: The last day of the battle of Kurukshetra and relating the story of the Mahabharata through a series of flashbacks. Structurally, the poetry in this period is in the Champu style, essentially poetry interspersed with lyrical prose. The Siribhoovalaya is a unique work of multilingual Kannada literature written by Kumudendu Muni , a Jain monk . The work is unique in that it does not employ letters, but
1692-476: The minstrels, playing Pena (musical instrument) since ancient times. The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (based on the story of Khamba and Thoibi ) is regarded as the greatest of all the Meitei epics. It is regarded as the national epic of the Manipuris . It consists of approximately 39,000 verses . The epic poetry has fifteen chapters ( Meitei : Pandup ) and ninety two sections ( Meitei : Taangkak ). It
1739-428: The other hand. The use of tajani in battle was perfected by the Nihang who 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 to Indian martial arts . The smaller chakri could also be worn on the arms or wrists and used like knuckledusters . When worn on
1786-500: The preferred form of Hindu literary works. Indian culture readily lent itself to a literary tradition that abounded in epic poetry and literature. The Puranas , a massive collection of verse-form histories of India's many Hindu gods and goddesses, followed in this tradition. Itihāsa and Puranas are mentioned in the Atharva Veda and referred to as the fourth Veda . The language of these texts, termed Epic Sanskrit , constitutes
1833-447: The regulation, brass knuckles are considered weapons. Without the permission of the central regulatory agency, it is against the law to manufacture, sell, transport, transfer, rent, or have them in any collection or on display. In China , brass knuckles are completely legal as per the Law of the Republic of China. According to Article 32 of the "Public Security Administration Punishment Law of
1880-575: 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 the Aerobie , which was called the "Skyro". Indian epic poetry Divisions Sama vedic Yajur vedic Atharva vedic Vaishnava puranas Shaiva puranas Shakta puranas Indian epic poetry
1927-478: The status of an epic. The narrative of Kamayani is based on a popular mythological story, first mentioned in Satapatha Brahmana . It is a story of the great flood and the central characters of the epic poem are Manu (a male) and Shraddha (a female). Manu is representative of the human psyche and Shradha represents love. Another female character is Ida , who represents rationality. Some critics surmise that
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1974-441: 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
2021-471: The three lead characters of Kamayani symbolize a synthesis of knowledge, action and desires in human life. It inspires humans to live a life based on "karm" and not on fortunes. Apart from Kamayani , Saketa (1932) by Maithili Sharan Gupt , Kurukshetra (Epic Poetry) (1946), Rashmirathi (1952) and Urvashi (1961) by Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' have attained the status of epic poetry . Likewise Lalita Ke Aansoo by Krant M. L. Verma (1978) narrates
2068-475: The tragic story about the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri through his wife Lalita Shastri . Kannada epic poetry mainly consists of Jain religious literature and Lingayat literature. Asaga wrote Vardhaman Charitra , an epic which runs in 18 cantos , in 853 CE, the first Sanskrit biography of the 24th and last tirthankara of Jainism, Mahavira , though his Kannada-language version of Kalidasa's epic poem, Kumārasambhava , Karnataka Kumarasambhava Kavya
2115-443: The two shining suns in the sky, to create the night . The Ougri is the collection of musical epic poetries, associated with religious themes, originated during the reign of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD. Other epics include Shingel Indu by Hijam Anganghal, Khongjom Tirtha by Nilabir Sharma, Chingoi Baruni by Gokul Shastri, Kansa Vadha by A. Dorendrajit, and Vasudeva Mahakavya by Chingangbam Kalachand. However,
2162-694: The world for many hundreds of years. Vajra-mushti has been practiced in India since at least the 12th century and mentioned in Manasollasa . The Nihang Sikhs used an early variant called Sher Panja in the 18th century. Cast iron , brass, lead , and wood knuckles were made in the United States during the American Civil War (1861–1865). Soldiers would often buy cast iron or brass knuckles. If they could not buy them, they would carve their own from wood, or cast them at camp by melting lead bullets and using
2209-522: Was the first writer in prose style. His work Vaddaradhane is dated to 900 CE. Sri Ponna (939-966 CE) is also an important writer from the same period, with Shanti Purana as his magnum opus. Another major writer of the period is Ranna (949-? CE). His most famous works are the Jain religious work Ajita Tirthankara Purana and the Gada Yuddha , a birds' eye view of the Mahabharata set in
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