The weapon is an East Indian Katar, sometimes known as a Mahratta dagger. The katar is of Rajput origin but its use was widespread. Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings of the period bear testimony to this fact.
Since the katar is gripped by the crossbars, the blow is delivered as a punch, leading to the name ‘punch-dagger.
Since the katar is gripped by the crossbars, the blow is delivered as a punch, leading to the name ‘punch-dagger.