A dagger is a short weapon with sharp edges. It
is a stabbing weapon. Indian daggers are remarkably ornamented and are
known for their good metal work.

Medieval
Daggers have been used for self defense, hunting and fighting. They have
a religious significance for Indians.
Two common types of Indian daggers are Khukri and Katar. Khanjar is
also prevelant in India but has Arabic origin.
Khukri is a gurkha close combat Weapon. It is still worn by the Gurkha
regiment of the Indian Army. It is a kind of a support weapon. Its
shape symbolizes the third eye of Lord Shiva. The shape of the blade is
one of the oldest known and has been used in other ancient civilizations
as well. The haft can be bone or rosewood. It is a warring weapon and is
used in ceremonies as well.
Katar is a Sikh warring and defense weapon. It is a kind of punch
dagger and can cut through the mail armor. The dagger was held by
grasping the cross-bars so that the side-bars of the hilt lay on either
side of the fist. There are a number of variants: single-blade
non-folding, double-blade folding, triple-blade folding. Scabbards are
usually leather, or leather-covered wood, and sometimes metal; may be
covered with ornate hammered sheet-metal, usually silver.