The Chakkar, also known as Chakram, is a distinctive round steel weapon, typically ranging from 5 to 12 inches in diameter, and varying in thickness. In battle, it is sharpened on the outer edge, while for ceremonial purposes, the outer edge is kept blunt. This quoit-type weapon is hurled or thrown using different methods, such as spinning it around the smooth inner edge with the forefinger or throwing it in a frisbee-like or discus style. The Chakkar has an effective range of 40 to 50 meters, making it a versatile tool in combat.
While the Chakkar is best known as a weapon of the Sikh military from the 16th century onward, its history can be traced back to ancient Indian texts. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata and Ramayana, where the Sudarshana Chakra is depicted as the weapon of the god Vishnu. Additionally, Tamil literature from as early as the 2nd century BC refers to the Chakkar as thikiri, and Lord Krishna is often referred to as Chakra-dhāri or "disc-bearer."
The Chakkar became closely associated with the Sikhs, particularly during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, when it was extensively used by the Nihang warriors. Nihangs were known for wearing Chakkars as part of their attire, often adorning them on their arms, around their necks, or stacked in tiers on their high turbans. This practice, combined with the Sikhs' formidable skills with the weapon, solidified its place in Sikh martial tradition.
Historical accounts, such as those of the Portuguese chronicler Duarte Barbosa in 1516, describe the Chakkar being used in the Delhi Sultanate. He provides a vivid description of the weapon, noting how skilled fighters would carry several Chakkars on their left arm, spinning and hurling them with great precision and dexterity, capable of inflicting serious damage to their enemies.
The effectiveness of the Chakkar in battle depended on its size. Regular steel Chakkars, measuring around 15 centimeters in diameter, could be thrown up to 60 meters, while brass Chakkars, with their superior airfoil design, had a range of over 100 meters. The circular design allowed the weapon to cut through the air without being easily affected by wind, making it highly aerodynamic. In battle, Chakkars were often thrown vertically to prevent accidentally hitting an ally, and warriors could throw them one after another from a stack, similar to shuriken. On horseback or from an elephant, the Chakkar was easier to deploy than arrows or spears, enhancing its utility in warfare.
One of the most iconic methods of throwing the Chakkar is known as tajani. In this technique, the Chakkar is twirled on the index finger of an upraised hand and released with a flick of the wrist. The spinning motion adds both power and range to the throw, while ensuring the wielder doesn't cut themselves on the sharp edge. Skilled warriors could twirl the Chakkar with one hand while simultaneously wielding another weapon. This technique was perfected by the Nihangs, who employed a specific formation to protect the Chakkar-wielder in battle.
The Chakkar came in various sizes, with smaller chakri being worn on the wrists or arms and used like knuckledusters in close combat, breaking or cutting an opponent’s arms while grappling. Larger vada chakras were worn around the neck and could be thrown or dropped vertically onto an opponent. Chakkars worn in the turban could also be used to rake across an enemy’s face or eyes during a fight.
Today, the Chakkar remains a potent symbol in Sikhism, prominently displayed on the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh holy flag that flies outside all gurdwaras (places of worship). The Khanda, a Sikh emblem, incorporates the Chakkar in its design, representing the eternal nature of God. The Chakkar, with its circular form that has no beginning or end, symbolizes the perfection of the divine, embodying the ideals of eternity and timelessness in Sikh theology.
Sikh Nishan Sahib
