View source for Chakram

{{Short description|Circular throwing weapon}}
{{other uses}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{confusing|date=November 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2017}}
}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Chakram
| image              = Sikhs with chakrams.jpg
| caption            = Sikhs with chakrams, inscribed ''Nihang Abchal Naga'' ([[Nihang]] from [[Hazur Sahib]]), 1844
| type               = Circle
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle         = no
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| origin             = [[Indian subcontinent]]
| is_ranged          = No
| is_bladed          = Yes
| is_explosive       = No
| is_artillery       = No
| is_missile         = No
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
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| variants           = *Chakri
**Chakri dang
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The '''chakram''' ({{langx|sa-Latn|{{IAST|cakra, cakram}}}}; {{langx|pa-Latn|cakkra, cakkram}}) is a throwing [[weapon]] from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is circular with a sharpened outer edge and a diameter of {{convert|12|-|30|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=off}}. It is also known as ''chalikar''<ref name="rockliff">{{cite book |last=HILL |first= JOHN|title=THE ROCKLIFF NEW PROJECT – ILLUSTRATED GEOGRAPHY – THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT|year=1963 |publisher=BARRIE & ROCKLIFF |location=London|chapter=5-THE GANGES PLAIN|pages=173–174}}</ref> meaning "circle", and was sometimes referred to in English writings as a "war-[[Quoits|quoit]]". The chakram is primarily a throwing weapon, but can also be used hand-to-hand. A smaller variant called ''chakri'' is worn on the wrist. A related weapon is the ''chakri dong'', a bamboo staff with a ''chakri'' attached at one end.

==History==
The earliest references to the chakram come from the fifth century BC [[Indian epic poetry|Indian epics]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Ramayana]]'', where the [[Sudarshana Chakra]] is the weapon of the god [[Vishnu]]. Contemporaneous Tamil poems from the second century BC record it as ''thikiri'' (திகிரி). ''Chakra-dhāri'' ("chakram-wielder" or "disc-bearer") is a name for [[Krishna]]. The chakram was later used extensively by the [[Sikhs]] at least until the days of [[Ranjit Singh]]. Even in present days, the [[Nihangs]] wear chakkar on their ''damalaas ''and also in the uniform of [[Sikh Regiment]] worn on [[turban]]. It came to be associated with Sikhs because of the [[Nihang]] practice of wearing chakram on their arms, around the neck and even tied in tiers on high turbans. Portuguese chronicler [[Duarte Barbosa]] writes ({{circa|1516}}) of the chakram being used in the [[Delhi Sultanate]].<ref name="Barbosa">{{cite book |author=Duarte Barbosa |author-link=Duarte Barbosa |title=A Description of the Coasts of East Africa and Malabar |year=1970 |publisher=Johnson Reprint Corporation |location=London}}</ref>

<blockquote>The people of the kingdom ... are very good fighting men and good knights, armed with many kinds of weapons; they are great bowmen, and very strong men; they have very good lances, swords, daggers, steel maces, and battle-axes, with which they fight; and they have some steel wheels, which they call chakarani, two fingers broad, sharp outside like knives, and without edge inside; and the surface of these is of the size of a small plate. And they carry seven or eight of these each, put on the left arm; and they take one and put it on the finger of the right hand, and make it spin round many times, and so they hurl it at their enemies, and if they hit anyone on the arm or leg or neck, it cuts through all. And with these they carry on much fighting, and are very dexterous with them.</blockquote>

From its native India, variations of the chakram spread to other Asian countries. In [[Tibet]] and [[Malaysia]], it was not flat but [[torus]]-like. [[Mongol]] cavalry used a similar throwing weapon with spiked edges.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

Chakarani is a name for flat, steel, throwing ring similar to the chakram and used by the [[Jubaland|Jubba]] tribe of central Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.artemisia.sca.org/sites/default/files/01a_Complete%20Thrown%20Weapons%20Report.pdf |title=THROWN WEAPON TYPES AND THROWN WEAPON USE 500 BC TO 1600 CE |work=[[Society for Creative Anachronism]] |date=November 2012 |access-date=2020-11-15 |archive-date=2020-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116130821/https://www.artemisia.sca.org/sites/default/files/01a_Complete%20Thrown%20Weapons%20Report.pdf }}</ref>

==Construction==
[[File:Akali Turban with quoits.JPG|thumb|right|Mid-19th century [[Nihang]] turban from [[Lahore]]. Cotton over a wicker frame and steel overlaid with gold. "A tall conical turban provided convenient transportation for a number of sharp steel quoits – edged weapons hurled to lethal effect by the practised hand of the Akalis."]]
Chakram are traditionally made from steel or brass which is beaten into a circular shape against an anvil with an indentation for the curvature. Two ends are connected with a piece of brass and then heated, forming a complete circle before the brass is removed. Some chakram, even those used in combat, were ornately engraved, or inlaid with brass, silver or gold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webprojects.prm.ox.ac.uk/arms-and-armour/o/The-Art-of-War/1906.64.1/ |title=Pair of war quoits |publisher=Pitt Rivers Museum |date=2010-09-21 |access-date=2012-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921001257/http://webprojects.prm.ox.ac.uk/arms-and-armour/o/The-Art-of-War/1906.64.1/ |archive-date=September 21, 2010 }}</ref>

The chakram is {{convert|13|and|25|cm|abbr=on}} wide and is typically {{convert|13|and|30|cm|abbr=on}} in diameter. The smaller variations are known as ''chakri'' while the larger ones are called ''vada chakra'', which were as large as a shield.

==Techniques==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2018}}

The chakram's combat application is largely dependent on its size. Regular-sized (diameter of {{convert|15|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on|disp=or}}, or more) steel chakram could be thrown {{convert|40|–|60|m|abbr=on}}, while brass chakram, due to their better airfoil design, could be thrown in excess of {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}}. If properly constructed, it should be a perfect circle. Warriors trained by throwing chakram at lengths of green [[bamboo]]. In single combat, the chakram could be thrown underarm like a modern [[Aerobie]].{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} In battles, it was usually thrown vertically so as to avoid accidentally hitting an ally on the left or right side. A stack of chakram could be quickly thrown one at a time like [[shuriken]]. On elephant or horseback, chakram could be more easily thrown than spears or arrows. Because of its aerodynamic circular shape it is not easily deflected by wind.

The most iconic method of throwing a chakram is ''tajani'', wherein the weapon is twirled on the index finger of an upraised hand and thrown with a timed flick of the wrist. The spin is meant to add power and range to the throw, while also avoiding the risk of cutting oneself on the sharp outer edge. An adept user can twirl the chakram while using another weapon with the other hand. The use of tajani in battle was perfected by the [[Nihang]] who employed a particular formation to protect the chakram-wielder from harm. Although variants of the chakram would make their way to neighbouring parts of the region, the tajani technique appears to have remained unique to [[Indian martial arts]].

The smaller chakri could also be worn on the arms or wrists and used like [[Brass knuckles|knuckledusters]]. When worn on the arms the chakri could be used to break or cut the opponent's arms while grappling. The larger ''vada chakra'' were worn around the neck and thrown or dropped down on the opponent vertically. In the turban, it could be raked across an enemy's face or eyes while fighting.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

==Modern inventions and applications==
In the 1970s, the American inventor [[Alan Adler]] began attempting to improve upon a flying toy disc by considering its design characteristics. He tried streamlining the shape of the disc to reduce drag, but this resulted in a disc that was more unstable in flight. Eventually, inspired by British accounts of deadly Indian weaponry and martial arts, he turned his attention to the ring shape of the chakram. This led to the development of the predecessor of the [[Aerobie]], which was called the "Skyro".<ref>{{cite book|last=Cassidy|first=John|title=The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|year=1989|publisher=Klutz Press|isbn=0-932592-30-9}}</ref>

== In popular culture==
[[Xena]] the fictional title character from [[Xena: The Warrior Princess]] uses the chakram as one of her main weapons. Axel from the [[Kingdom Hearts]] franchise fights with a pair of chakram called "Eternal Flames".

Shakra from [[Hollow Knight: Silksong]] uses the Chakram as her main weapon.

== See also ==

* {{anl|Boomerang}}
* {{anl|Gatka}}
* {{anl|Javelin}}
* {{anl|Oddjob}}
* {{anl|Shuriken}}
* {{anl|Throwing knife}}
* {{anl|Wind and fire wheels}}
* {{anl|Xena: The Warrior Princess}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat|Chakrams}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000409191623/http://www.whoosh.org/issue8/rudnick6.html Details of chakram history and use]
* [http://www.alaska.net/~rlw/WarriorWonders/history.htm History of chakram]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100921001257/http://webprojects.prm.ox.ac.uk/arms-and-armour/o/The-Art-of-War/1906.64.1/ More history and cultural details ]
* [http://www.flight-toys.com/rings/chackrum.html Flying Rings: Chakram, Quoit & Aerobies]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ed0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA593 Chakrams history during World War One]

{{Indian martial arts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Weapons of India]]
[[Category:Throwing weapons]]
[[Category:Edged and bladed weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Indian inventions]]
[[Category:Nihang]]