The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 26, 2024
Khanjar dagger
c. 1600s
Overall: 34.4 cm (13 9/16 in.)
Gift of S. D. Wright 1930.708
Location: not on view
Description
Daggers with curved blades, known as khanjar, were worn tucked into the belt as one of the basic accessories for Mughal men. An all-purpose knife that could be used in hunting or fighting, the khanjar was also a visible status symbol. The use of jade and gold indicates that this dagger was owned by a member of the court. The gold inscriptions on the blade, just under the hilt, are quotations from the Qur’an, the most sacred book for Muslims. On one side is the opening line: “In the Name of God the Merciful and the Compassionate,” and on the other is a popular verse from chapter (sura) 61: “Help comes from God, and Victory is imminent.”- ?–1930Samson D. Wright [1866–1938], Cleveland Heights, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art1930–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- “Part II. Fifteenth Annual Report of the Cleveland Museum of Art 1930.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, vol. 18, no. 2, 1931, pp. 1–128. 25137366
- Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).
- {{cite web|title=Khanjar dagger|url=false|author=|year=c. 1600s|access-date=26 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1930.708