Baba Deep Singh the legendary Sikh warrior carried a khanda. This weapon is preserved in the gurudwara at Hazur Sahib in Nanded in Maharashtra. Carrying this weapon he went into battle against the Moslems in his quest to avenge the desecration of the Golden temple. I mention this fact only to highlight the fact that the Khanda was a sword, with a special ethos and only warriors with immense strength could use it. There is no parallel of this weapon anywhere else in the world.

The Khanda was a straight sword with a blunt tip. It was two edged and unlike the Tulwar which had one  cutting edge the Khanda could be used to to smite an enemy both-ways. Basically it could be used with a two handed grip and in close combat the khanda could be used to hack the enemy with both hands as the warrior swung the weapon either way.

The lethality of the Khanda can be gauged from the fact that when Rana Sangha was retreating from the battle against Akbar he was opposed by a Moslem Chieftain. The Rana  with one blow of the khanda severed the head of the Moslem chieftain, replete with armor around his neck and body.

The khanda was not so popular a sword as the Tulwar. Moreover it was not as aerodynamic as the Tulwar and also required greater strenght to use it, as unlike the tulwar it was much heavier. Never the less the Khanda was used by the Rajputs, Sikhs and Maharathas in their wars and battles. The khanda was a very lethal weapon if handled properly, but as it had a blunt tip it was not good for stabbing and such activities.

A variety of Khandas are on display in the national museum at Delhi. However the western powers like the English, though they adapted the Tulwar for their cavalry as the sabre, never made any attempt to incorporate the Khanda in their army. Yet the Khanda will remain  as a part of historical weaponry of India. It is a unique weapon and deserves its niche in the hall of fame for that reason.