Sikh Silver-Inlaid Steel Chakram

This heavy, flat steel ring known as a quoit or chakram (chakkar) has been inlaid with silver koftgari work on both sides with differing floral scrolling patterns. The outer rim has been sharpened, compared with the inner rim.

It was used as a projective weapon and was thrown in such a way that it spun so that the sharpened outer edge would slice through a target.

As Stone (1961, p. 171) observes, chakrams usually are plain but occasionally were elaborately inlaid, as is the case here.

Originally, from the Hindu tradition, and one of the symbols or attributes of Vishnu, the chakram has come to be synonymous with Sikhism and Sikhs, especially those of the Akali and later, the  Khalsa traditions.

The Khalsa tradition was initiated in 1699 by the Tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. He started the tradition after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh created the concept of the Khalsa as a warrior charged with protecting the the innocent from religious persecution.

Sikh warriors would wear chakrams on their arms and also on a particular type of high, pointy turban known as a dastar bunga. They would wear a series of graduated chakrams over such a turban.

The decoration on the example here suggests it was made for a warrior of status and wealth.

The chakram is in very good condition. The inlay on one side is in near-perfect condition. On the other, there are some small losses.

It comes with a custom-made, black metal stand to display it upright.