The pata () is a sword, originating from the Indian subcontinent, with a gauntlet integrated as a handguard. Often referred to in its native Marathi as a dandpatta, it is commonly called a gauntlet sword in English.

Description

thumb|A well embossed gauntlet

The pata has a long straight blade ranging in length from . The blades were locally made by native artisans.

The characteristic feature of the pata is its hilt which takes the form of a half-gauntlet, the inside of which is usually padded. The hilt is attached to the blade by decorative arms that extend forward on both sides of the blade.

The Mughals developed a variation with matchlock pistols adjoining the handle. The hilt also has a long cuff which is usually decorated and in older examples inlaid and embellished with gold and silver. The swordsman holds the weapon by gripping a crossbar inside the gauntlet. The cuff is held close to the forearm by another bar or chain.

History

Created in Medieval India, the pata's use in warfare appears to be mostly restricted to the 17th and 18th century when the Maratha Empire came into prominence. It was considered to be a highly effective weapon for infantrymen against heavily armoured cavalry. The Maratha ruler Shivaji I and his general Baji Prabhu Deshpande were reputedly trained in the use of the pata. When Mughal Afzal Khan's bodyguard Sayyid Banda attacked Shivaji with swords in the Battle of Pratapgad, Shivaji's bodyguard Jiva Mahala fatally struck him down, cutting off one of Sayyad's hands with a pata.

Recent discovery of Hero stone inscriptions has pushed back the antiquity of the pata to the 12th century.

Use

The pata is most commonly paired with either a shield or another pata, though it can also be used with a javelin, axe, or belt. The restrictive handle was particularly suited to the stiff-wristed style of South Asian swordsmanship. Despite its shape, the pata is used primarily for cutting rather than thrusting.

See also

  • Basket-hilted sword, similar guarding concept
  • Chakram
  • Gatka
  • Katar
  • Scissor (gladiator)

References