Bagh Nakh ( Wyagh Nakh)

Tiger Claws



Bagh Nakh
Bagh Nakh, also sometimes called the Wagh Nakh, whose heritage is the least obscured. The
Bagh Nakh is a weapon of Indian heritage, intended to replicate the damage that a tiger
would inflict on your average unsuspecting jungle meal.

Bagh Nakh
Anyway, as you can see, it is essentially a set of claws attached to a bar with loops for the
fingers. The version above with the knife blade attached is called the BichHwa Bagh Nakh.
In contrast to how it is often portrayed, (and it seems to be portrayed and described
incorrectly in a lot of otherwise reputable places) it is not a set of over-the-hand claws, nor
was it likely to have been worn with the claws out over the knuckles.
Rather, I believe that is held in the hand, supported by the thumb and pinky, with the claws
facing outward from the palm, and the basic traditional designs all appear to confirm this to
be the case. If you look at the various forms of Bagh Nakh, you will see than it includes a few
different forms, many with a blades that extend laterally out from the side of the weapon, in
addition to the claws.
Two Different Bagh Nakh Designs:

Bich'wha (Bladed) Bagh Nakh

Standard Bagh Nakh
This tells me that they the bar was intended to serve a dual purpose as both the knife handle
and the claw holder, and would therefore be held in the palm of the hand. Not to mention that
many Bagh Nakh designs are near impossible to wield with the bar over the knuckles. From
this we can assume that it was used with the claws projecting out from the palm. The same
grip would likely have been used for both forms, with or without the original blade.

Simple Bagh Nakh
The Bagh Nakh is an excellent weapon for open hand clawing or raking attacks, as well as
open hand slaps, and is very effective at tearing flesh. The best targets for this weapon would
be the eyes and face, though any soft target would work.


Indian Bagh Nakh (Tiger Claws) Concealed Weapon - 10245


This rare and interesting wepon is Indian, 18 C. also known as Bagh Nakh meaning : Tiger
Claws. It is composed of several small and curved blades on a connecting bar and rings for
the fingers. While not in use it is concealed in the palm. This exemplar had four blades (one
now lost), 3 inches wide. Good condition to age with good age patina. An interesting but
cruel item, never considered as a legitimate fighting weapon.


Rare Indian Bagh Nakh (Tiger Claws) with Two Blades - 10331


This rare and interesting wepon is Indian, 18 C. or earlier, also known as Bagh Nakh
meaning : Tiger Claws. It is composed of several small and curved blades on a connecting
bar and rings for the fingers. This exemplar had five claw blades and two longer dagger style
blades. Blades 5 inches, claws 2 inches. Good condition to age with good age patina. An
interesting but cruel item, never considered as a legitimate fighting weapon.


Bagh nakh from India, Asia. Collected by Robert William Theodore Gunther about
1850. Given to the Museum in 1924.

Hand-fighting weapons are small, portable weapons, often worn covertly, and usually
intended to wound or maim rather than kill. One such weapon, designed for concealment,
was the bagh nakh or 'Tiger's Claw'. It was worn under a glove or between the fingers to give
the wearer the advantage of surprise in duels and street fights.

This example is from Satara near Mumbai (Bombay) and is made of iron, with rings to secure
it to the thumb and index finger and one of its four claws missing. Each ring has settings for
two jewels, which have, at some point, been replaced with red and blue glass.

A Place in History

The bagh nakh was associated with the Maratha Empire of the 17th and 18th centuries and
most examples seem to originate from the major Indian cities of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh,
Satara in Maharashtra (as is the case with this example), and Kolapore. It was never really
considered a legitimate weapon since it was associated with thieves and assassins. One
famous historical event may have helped promulgate this notion.

The story relates to the Emperor Shivaji (reigned 1674-1680), the founder of the Maratha
Empire. Shivaji established an independent Maratha state around his home city of Pune, after
a successful rebellion against the Bijapur Sultanate. In an engagement with the army of
Bijapur in 1674, Shivaji feigned the desire to parley with their military leader, Afzal Khan
('khan' = 'general'). Shivaji secretly put on a chain-mail shirt under his clothing, concealing a
dagger in his left sleeve and a bagh nakh in his right hand. When the two leaders met in a
pavilion between their armies, they went to formally embrace each other in unarmed peace.
At this point, Shivaji stabbed Afzal Khan in the stomach with the bagh nakh, then the dagger,
and stole his sword as a trophy. Shivaji's descendants still possess this sword.