Chakram
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Sikhs_with_chakrams.jpg
Sikhs_with_chakrams.jpg
Sikhs with chakrams, inscribed "Nihang Abchal Nagar" (Nihangs from Hazur Sahib), 1844
The chakram is a throwing weapon that was used by the ancient Indians; it is basically a flat metal ring with a sharp outer edge from 5 to 12 inches in diameter.
The word comes from Sanskrit and means round, circle, or wheel. Earliest references come from Ramayana and Mahabharata epics (here chakram is the weapon of the god Indra). It was used by Indian armies, mostly by Sikhs.
It has effective range 40 to 50 meters. Because of its aerodynamic shape (similar to an aeroplane wing) it is not easily deflected by wind.
Movie and television
- The chakram is featured heavily in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, as the principal weapon of the title character.
- The One Piece character the anime Django also uses chakrams.
- Oddjob from James Bond movie Goldfinger uses a chakram-like hat.
- Razor-sharp plates are used for self-defense in Stephen King's The Wolves of the Calla.
External Links
- Details of chakram history and use (http://www.whoosh.org/issue8/rudnick6.html)
- History of chakram (http://www.alaska.net/~rlw/WarriorWonders/history.htm)