Khukuri is the national weapon of Nepal. 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 keeping into its sheath Soldiers used to carry Khukuri in uniform and in battle. More than being just a revered and effective weapon, the Khukuri is also an all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool and therefore an indispensable possession of almost every household. The Khukuri is carried in scabbard usually made of wood covered in leather.
All Khukuris have two pockets on the back of the scabbard which hold a blunt steel called “chakmak” for sharpening the blade or for striking spark from flint and a little knife known as “karda” used for skinning small things as a pen knife. Handles are generaly made of hardwood or water buffalo horns, but Ivory, Bone and Metal handles are often used as well. The handle quite often has a flared butt that allows better retention in draw cuts and chopping. Most handles have metal bolsters and butt plates which are generally made of brass or steel. The Khukri typically comes in either a decorated wooden scabbard or a leather wrapped scabbard. The Scabbard usualy houses a Karda (knife), as well as Chakmak (steel/come flint strker).
Khukuri symbolizes Nepalese Cultural icon as well as the bravery and valor of the Gurkhas. Moreover, the Khukuri represents an exquisite piece of Nepalese Craftsmanship.
How the Khukuri exactly originated is still a amystery but it is suggested that it originated from a form of knife first by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. But, There is another fact that shows the Khukuri had already been developed by Kiratis (the Mongolian stock who came to power in Nepal around 7th Century BC). There are some Khukuris displayed on the walls of NationalMuseum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are around 500 years old or even more. Among the Khukuris in display, The oldest known kukri that belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the Kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD is also in display.
The Khukuri has a great the cultural and religious significance. The shape and every parts of the Khukuri have various meanings. The curve is said to look like a crescent moon, a symbol of Nepal. The notch or Kaura in the blade near the hilt of the Khukuri is said to be trident of the Hindu god, Shiva, the god of destroyer and war. It has many other meaning beside it such as the sun and moon, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses, a cow tract because the cow is sacred to the Hindus. So, the religious meanings that have been worked into the knife makes it exquisite piece.
Traditionally Kami (caste) and Biswakarma (caste) are the masters of inherited kukri making art. A great number of Khukuris are produced in the eastern part of Nepal, mainly in Dharan, where the beautiful shape and form of the Khukuri are specially hand crafted and designed. The making of a single knife keeps four men fully occupied for an entire day, sometime even more. All raw materials such as steel, brass, wood, buffalo horn and hide and other things are first carefully selected and only the best are utilized. Most of the craftsmen make the Khukuri in their own home. First of all, a skillful craftsman measures the length, weighs the steel and by the help of helper he is able to give an accurate shape of the Khukuri. A skillful craftsman only does it by beating and hammering the red-heated steel again and again. Everything sharpening, tempering on the edge of blade and shaping the sheath are done by hand with great care.
The Gurkhas and the Khukuri are inseparable in reputation. The term Gurkhas is traditionally used to describe the men of Nepal who serve as soldiers in the armies of Nepal, Britain, or India. The word Gurkhas originated from Gorkha, a hilly state in Nepal, where king Prithivi Narayan Shah reigned early 17th century. He had very strong, loyal, tough and devoted Gorkhali armies from whose contribute he succeeded in uniting Nepal into one kingdom. In 1814, the war broke out between brave Gorkhali and mercantile East India Company (which is called Anglo - Nepalese War 1814-1816). In that conflict, British in Indian first experience the effectiveness and inner power Gorkhali when they faced the Gorkhali in Western Nepal. After two yearsbattle, a peace treaty was signed. Although the British defeated Nepal, they were so impressed by the Gurkha fighters that they enticed them to enter the British (and subsequently, Indian) army. Under the terms of the peace treaty, following the war, large numbers of Gorkhali were permitted to volunteer for service in the East India Company and from those volunteers were formed the first regiment of Gurkhas in 1815. Since then, many Nepalese mostly the Rais, Limbus, Gurungs and Magars have served and still serve in the British Army. The Gurkhas have earned their fame and have made their mythical and legendary figure toward the world.
Kukuris can be broadly classified into two types, Eastern and Western. The Eastern blades are usually regarded as the thinner Khukuri and are often referred to as Sirupate (Siru Leaf),whilst Western blades are considered to be of the broader type, occasionally called Budhuna (refers to a fish with a large head), another term is Baspate (Bamboo leaf) which refers to blades just outside of the normal Sirupate blade. Khukuris of different series are found in the market known as the Dhankute, Jungle, Chainpure, Service Khukuri, Bhojpure, World War II, Panawal, Nepal police, Nepal army, Sirupate as the list goes on.
Khukuri can be an ultimate souvenir for foreigners to take back home and share with friends. For domestic use or as a decoration piece Khukuri is widely used in Nepalese houses. It is also a must have for making sacrifices during different pujas. During the Bishwakarma puja the Khukuri is also worshipped. During the Bishwakarma puja different tools and weapons are worshipped and not used for that day.
