Bhuj (weapon)

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Indian bhuj

The bhuj (Devanāgarī: भुज) is a knife or dagger from western India. It is commonly called a gandasa, or axe-knife, because the blade is fixed onto an axe-like haft. The weapon takes its name from the city of Bhuj in the Kachchh district of the state of Gujarat, where it originated.[1] The Bhuj is short, broad, stout, and heavy, with a mild curve. It often sports an engraved and gilded mount, inlaid haft and decorated knob. This knob is typically a stylized elephant head, giving the weapon the nickname elephant knife. The short re-curved blade measures 7-10 inches long, and its copper sheath makes the weapon 20 inches long in total. It is mostly single-edged, except for a slight rear edge at the tip. The blade is mounted at a right angle to a metal haft in a manner similar to a parashu or axe. The haft is usually hollow and conceals another small stiletto-like dagger.


  1. ^ "Partitioned: the other face of freedom: Volume 1". Retrieved 2012-03-05. 


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