Do swords, knives need a licence in India?

[Varinder]

I'm kind of unsure on this topic. On my visit to Punjab last december (I have family in Jallandhar district), I purchased myself a tulwar from a local shop. I was asked for no license or credentials.

Also, a day before my return I saw a Nihang Singh on a motorbike (what next?) with a rifle and a large tulwar (approx 38") along with various other weapons.

I do not think that his rifle was licenced or his tulwar. Plus, keeping a tulwar in Punjab is a 'cultural thing' .. so I have my doubts about sword licensing.

- Varinder

[dsingh]

I was wondering about same thing too, on my way back from office last week, Saw 4-5 guys badly rough up a young man. Reason he merely touched one of them with his scooter. Then some cops turned up and calmed down things but those guys still kept landing occasional punches. I was thinking if I ever land into that kind of situation and found in possession of a long hunting knife. Then what will be those cops reaction. I am a Sikh and I am allowed to carry swords/daggers but Is there any length specified for us also?

And is there any restriction on sharpness of blade also?

Inder

Dear Friend, there is lot of variety nowdays like China made kirpans u can get from market or from religious fairs like hola mohalla or jor mela at cheap rates if u want proper sikh kirpan but u have decide the nature of kirpan or sword one is simple made another is Tegha which r both machine made manufatured under licence inAmritsar or manualy made in PATIALA in machine made TEGHA there is guarntee of 30 years and hand made TEGHA is lifetime main advantage of tegha is when u r attacked with hard object like big stick or iron rod TEGHA SWORD if used in stopping will cutt off stick or metal rod but if u hit attacker tegha sword injuries are very severe if hit with some force can sever the limb it can compete with kattana japanese sword .Then there is kasmiri kirpan which I carry new kashmiri kirpans r not good mine is more than 150 years old and is double edged very sharp but is 8 inches I never have problem visting high security zones as a sikh I can keep it and wear . You can wear it choice is yours traditional kirpans r available at Patiala near Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Shaib and if u want teghas SWORD then u can get best one at 500 bucks in Patiala after some bargaining can get at 400 , There is no restriction on sharping or blunt.

[Pran]

Inder,
Don't even dream of taking your knife out in case of a road rage on Bangalore roads.You'll end up in the police station and have to pay the cops and your 'victim' to drop charges.

Pran

[kanwar76]

Inder,
Don't even dream of taking your knife out in case of a road rage on Bangalore roads.You'll end up in the police station and have to pay the cops and your 'victim' to drop charges.

Pran

No Pran... I am not thinking of anything like that..

-Inder

[dsingh]

I'm kind of unsure on this topic. On my visit to Punjab last december (I have family in Jallandhar district), I purchased myself a tulwar from a local shop. I was asked for no license or credentials.

Also, a day before my return I saw a Nihang Singh on a motorbike (what next?) with a rifle and a large tulwar (approx 38") along with various other weapons.

I do not think that his rifle was licenced or his tulwar. Plus, keeping a tulwar in Punjab is a 'cultural thing' .. so I have my doubts about sword licensing.

- Varinder

Dear friend Nihangs r allowed to carry traditional weapons through a special rule traditional arms included spear,quiot,coiled sword,khandas, teghas, khanjar. During medival times it was essential for Nihangs to carry at least 17 types of weapons but under arms act it is essential to get licence for sword keeping execpt for sikhs in accodance with article 25 of constitution of india kirpan is the term of sword but each sikh can keep only one kirpan irrespective of size.But for Kirpan factory you need a licence for manufaturing just like firearm licence .

[dsingh]

penpusher,

According to the arms act 1962 , double edged blades also require a license? Is that true?

I think its high time we get some lawyers in on IFG

monishDear brother Iam a practising lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High court you have a lawyer friend in this forum.

[dsingh]

During HOLA MOHALLA or JORMELA festivals NIHANGS put up stalls to sell traditional weapons but among them BUDDHA DAL stalls sell different type of swords at 500 bucks for each one quality is the best and different stalls for antique swords which sells at minimum 1000 or more .In FAEHGARH SHAIB fair I saw a fighting axe with such a big size I can never forget blade was very hugh and one and a half feet broad .One of the sword which they called SARHOHI and another called SAIF was lightest and TEGHAS which they regard ultimate weapon was very heavy along with various types of swords. cheers

[penpusher]

Dsingh,

A tegh or tegha is a sword.So when you write 'tegha sword' you are basically saying sword sword.

[dsingh]

Dear penpusher ji u r right meaning is the same but quality varies between the common sword and sword called tegha. I was shown the difference by a dealer selling these swords teghas is more solid metal consisting of more than one metal joined togeather after melting the metal of both yhe metals. While common sword breaks while hitting a rocks or log but tegha can cutt the rock or does not break while hitting a solid wall it was demostarted by dealer. There is no doubt meaning r same but cutting powers differs a lot. thanks for the pointing out mistake

[shadow]

Dear all,
I have passion of collecting knives & swords, not antiques yet,as I cannot afford them, but the regular ones with chinese carving etc. I own around 6 knoves & 1 straight blunt ornamental sword displayed in my showcase. Will these knves & swords merely used as show-pieces land me in problems? Also I went to LA last year & wanted to pick up swords that are generally shown in movies like LOrd of the Rings, Gladiator etc. & an axe! But the seller advised me against buying the same as I would have problems in customs. Same incident was repeated when I tried buying a dagger from Dubai last month. What are the legal / custom implications? THe sword in LA was aprox. 3.5-4 ft & the one in Dubai around 2 ft. Also apart from pepper spray or lathi will it be a good thing to carry a hockey stick or baseball bat, as nuisance & rowdyism is on a steep rise including eve-teasing in Chennai as well!Cheers...

[shadow]

Dear penpusher ji u r right meaning is the same but quality varies between the common sword and sword called tegha. I was shown the difference by a dealer selling these swords teghas is more solid metal consisting of more than one metal joined togeather after melting the metal of both yhe metals. While common sword breaks while hitting a rocks or log but tegha can cutt the rock or does not break while hitting a solid wall it was demostarted by dealer. There is no doubt meaning r same but cutting powers differs a lot. thanks for the pointing out mistake

Do you know of any place in Chennai where I can get an authentic Tegha?If not in Delhi?What will be price of the same & will it be a problem to clear customs with the same being sent as check-in luggage?

[dsingh]

Dear penpusher ji u r right meaning is the same but quality varies between the common sword and sword called tegha. I was shown the difference by a dealer selling these swords teghas is more solid metal consisting of more than one metal joined togeather after melting the metal of both yhe metals. While common sword breaks while hitting a rocks or log but tegha can cutt the rock or does not break while hitting a solid wall it was demostarted by dealer. There is no doubt meaning r same but cutting powers differs a lot. thanks for the pointing out mistake

Do you know of any place in Chennai where I can get an authentic Tegha?If not in Delhi?What will be price of the same & will it be a problem to clear customs with the same being sent as check-in luggage?

I have no knowldge about the Chennai but in Patiala near histroic Gurdwara of DUKHNIVARAN SHAIAB u can good tegha at the prices varrrying from 350- 1200 bucks choice is urs there r two types of Teghas one is manual made and another is factory made .Even in MAHARASTRA Nader shiab and areas around it is known for good swordmaking but u have to be careful while taking out tegha from sheath always keep one hand at the middle of sheath away from blade as even a small scrath from even blunt tegha can be serious these r designed to cutt of the pointed and blunt weapons of attackers and penetrate through armour, Amritsar is another place in Chowk Ghantaghar u can have good variety.

[x-acto]

I think its okey with me to carry a survival knife without license but with swords maybe they should have a license.

[Olly]

Swords, in the hands of non-sikhs, require a license to possess. Knives with blades longer than 9" OR wider than 2" require a license too.
That is the law. Enforcement is another issue....

[goodboy_mentor]

Swords, in the hands of non-sikhs, require a license to possess. Knives with blades longer than 9" OR wider than 2" require a license too.

Then what about big knives, choppers etc. with butchers, what does the law say about them?