Pesh-kabz, 1849 (c)

This knife is recorded as being taken from an Afghan commander, allied to the Sikh forces, at the Battle of Gujerat, during the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849), in 1849.

Inscribed on the reverse of the tang: 'This dagger was taken by the Scinde Horse, from the chief in command of the Affghan Cavly at the Battle of Goozerat and presented by Lt Malcolm and his brother officers, to Coll the Honble Henry Dundas. Commanding the Bombay Division of the Punjaub'.

The pesh-kabz is an Indo-Persian knife used extensively in northern India and Afghanistan. It has similarities to the Khyber knife, or choora, but has a significantly shorter blade. Designed as a stabbing weapon, the pesh-kabz had a sharp, tapering single-edged blade which was designed to penetrate mail armour and thicker textiles. Easily portable, the weapons were popular souvenirs for British soldiers serving on the North West Frontier of India.