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Introduction:
 The
Khukuri, a semi-curve metal knife, is synonymous with the valor of legendary
Gurkha soldiers. Though Khukuri is national knife of Nepal, it has not famed
only within Nepal or Gurkhas but it has gained popularity in the world, as it is
one of the most practical, convenient and peculiar knives. Bowie knife,
Stiletto, Scimitar, Roman Sword, Samurai or Machete are some o the famous knives
of the world and have all played a great historical significance because of
their cutting edge over other weapons. But the most famous of them is the
'Kukri'!
It is a curved metal knife and each Gurkha soldier carries with him in uniform
and in battles. During the 1st and 2nd world wars, it was famed as a non-
exploded bomb or grenade. In times past, it was said that once a Khukuri was
drawn in battle, it had to 'taste blood'- if not, its owner had to cut himself
before returning into its sheath.
In the hands of an experience wielder the Khukuri is about a formidable a weapon
as can be conceived. The lithe wire little men, utterly courageous, supremely
cheerful, stealthy as leopards and agile as goats in the mountains, come leaping
over the ground to attack, moving so quickly. When they come near the enemy,
they suddenly crouch to the ground, drive under the bayonets and strike upward
at the men with their Khukuris, ripping them open in a single blow. The result
of such a dangerous combination of man and blade is a superb and effective
slaughter. The enemy tumbles in two clean pieces, even before he can express his
surprise because his is the kindest, quietest and quickest death.
The Khukuri, however, is more than just an enemy's nightmare. From its origins
as a valuable farming implement, the Khukuri evolved over the centuries into a
lethal fighting weapon. To most of Nepal's rural people -- who constitute more
than 90% of the kingdom's population -- the Khukuri is a best friends, a
multi-purpose knife which can be used for cutting grass, chopping wood, peeling
vegetables, slaughtering animals and skinning meat, not to mention warding off
dangerous animals and the occasional human invader. Nepalese people
traditionally carry the Khukuri when traveling beyond their homeland; just the
sight of the brazen knife is enough to scare off most robbers. More than being
just a revered and effective weapon, however, the Khukuri is also the peaceful
all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool
and therefore an indispensable possession of almost every households and
travelers.
The Khukuri is also used in sacrificial ceremonies: during Dashain, within the
Gurkha regiments, the Khukuri is used to cut off animals' heads to make pleasure
the gods and goddesses, who in return will protect Gurkhas in battle. Those
Nepalese who do not participate in blood-letting slash a pumpkin instead. The
Khukuri is then garlanded with flowers and blessed with or without the animal's
blood.
This 'all purpose' knife of the Gurkhas - 'Khukuri' is of a very peculiar shape.
Basically, the standard blade (Service No.1 Khukuri) is very thick at the base
measuring a little more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. From the back it
is thinned off gradually to the edge, which has curvature of its own, quite
different to that of the back, so the blade is widest as well as thickest in the
middle, and tapers at one end towards the hilt and at the other end towards the
point. The point of the Khukuri is a sharp as a needle, so that the weapon
answers equally for cutting as well as stabbing. In consequence of the great
thickness of the metal the blade is exceedingly heavy. A blow from such a weapon
can be a terrible one, the very weight of the blade, if allowed to fall from a
certain height, would drive half way through the arm of a person.
 The
Khukuri has never been broken in battle. Not a surprising claim, considering
that the knife is made only from high grade steel often taken from a railway
line or truck spring. A Khukuri handle is usually made from rosewood, buffalo
horns or metals such as Aluminum, Brass in some cases Ivory and Antler also
utilize for making the handle. The common scabbard is made from leather or wood
and often features various carved designed. The 'top man's" Khukuri incorporates
exquisite etchings and engravings on the blade in addition to a gold or silver
scabbard (Kothimora) which is inlaid with even more precious gems.
Most Khukuris feature two little knives attached at the back of the sheath held
either in a built-in pocket or a leather purse. The small sharp knife is a Karda.
Besides being used to hone the master blade, it serves for small cutting jobs.
Perhaps the most unusual task it has is at the time of a child's birth: the
Karda is then used to cut the umbilical cord. Afterwards the knife is place at
the side of the cot to ward off evil spirits. The other knife is called a
Chakmak. It is blunt and once rubbed against a stone will produce enough sparks
to start a fire. Who needs electric lighters?
The Gurkha and his Khukuri are incomplete without one another. Together they've
earned their fame, which can never to be forgotten. Finally, whatever be the
roots, Nepal, the Gurkhas and the Khukuri are inseparable in reputation.
The Origin of Khukuri:
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None of us knows the fact that how the Khukuri was exactly originated
and where it was developed. The originated place and date have also been
lost in the mists of time. Even the spelling has been disputed or
butchered since someone first tried to describe this knife: khookree,
kookerie, khukri, kukery, Kukoori, Koukoori, kukri. What we see is an
Anglicized version of a word first heard by English ears back in the
early 18th century. The spoken word is actually 3 syllables: kook-er-ee
and has finally come down to today’s accepted spelling of kukri or
Khukri. Thus, name of this knife can be spelt and pronounced numerous
ways but the most common names are Kukri or
Khukuri.
[Click
here for more in John’s Article….]
Here are some facts, which prove that it is one of the oldest knives in
the world. The blade shape descended from the classic Greek sword of
Kopis, which is about 2500 years old. |
The Rare
Kukri; Silver mounted court Kothimora scabbard, and Blade is a budhume
type----Mark McMorrow Collection.
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A cavalry sword (The Machaira, Machira) of the ancient Macedonians
which was carried by the troops of Alexander the Great when it invaded northwest
India in the 4th Century BC and was copied by local black smiths or Kamis some
knife exports have found similarities in the construction of some Khukuris to
the crafting method of old Japanese sword. Thus the making of Khukuri is one of
the oldest blade forms in the history of world, if not in fact the oldest.
Some says it was originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who
came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying
on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old
or even more among them one belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the
kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD But the some facts shows that the Khukuri's
history is centuries old then this. But other suggest that the Khukuri was first
used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, about 7th
Century.
Some Mystical Meaning of Khukuri:
 Another
thing that adds to the magic of the Khukuri is the cultural and religious
significance that has worked its way into the knife. Among the more unique
features of the Khukuri is the crescent moon-shaped notch at the base of the
blade. Some say it is a fertility symbol or a lock for securing the Khukuri in
its sheath. Others say it is to interrupt the flow of blood down onto the
handle, which would make it wet or slippery during the time of attack. Perhaps
the most plausible explanation is that it is a simple defensive feature of the
knife, for once the blow of an opponent's weapon is caught on the blade, the
sword or dagger slips down into the notch where with one quick twist, the
opponent is disarmed. The notch of the Khukuri near the hilt is said the trident
of the Hindu god Shiva, the god of war and destroy. It has various other
meanings such as a cow tract, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses,
the sun and moon, the symbol of Nepal.
The History and Meaning of the Khukuri:
 None of us knows the fact that how the Khukuri (Khukri or Kukri) was exactly
originated and where it was developed. The originated place and date have also
been lost in the mists of time. Here are some facts, which proves that it is one
of the oldest knives in the world. The blade shape descended from the classic
Greek sword of Kopis, which is about 2500 years old. The Machira, the calavry
sword of the ancient Macedonians which was carried by the troops of Alexander
the Great when it invaded northwest India in the 4th Century BC and was copied
by local black smiths or Kamis. Some knife exports have found similarities in
the construction of some Khukuris to the crafting method of old Japanese sword.
Thus the making of Khukuri is one of the oldest blade forms in the history of
world, if not in fact the oldest.
Some say it was originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who
came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying
on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old
or even more among them one belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the
kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD But the some facts shows that the Khukuri's
history is centuries old then this. But other suggest that the Khukuri was first
used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, about 7th
Century.
An another thing that adds to the magic of the Khukuri is the cultural and
religious significance that has worked its way into the knife. Among the more
unique features of the Khukuri is the crescent moon-shaped notch at the base of
the blade. Some say it is a fertility symbol or a lock for securing the Khukuri
in its sheath. Others say it is to interrupt the flow of blood down onto the
handle, which would make it wet or slippery during the time of attack. Perhaps
the most plausible explanation is that it is a simple defensive feature of the
knife, for once the blow of an opponent's weapon is caught on the blade, the
sword or dagger slips down into the notch where with one quick twist, the
opponent is disarmed. The notch of the Khukuri near the hilt is said the trident
of the Hindu god Shiva, the god of war and destroy. It has various other
meanings such as a cow tract, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses,
the sun and moon, the symbol of Nepal.
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