Kara (weapon)

Karas

A kara (Punjabi: ਕੜਾ) is an Indian bracelet usually made of iron or steel which was originally worn by Sikhs as an article of their religious devotion. In time, this symbolism of unyielding commitment to a cause came to appeal to other Indians regardless of their faith, and it remains today a popular accessory throughout northwestern India and in global diasporic communities.

Notwithstanding this, the meaning behind the kara resonated with the Indian Brotherhood of Assassins, and it was commonly utilized by those among them as arm protectors. Despite their simple design, their function was versatile, and the Indian Assassins employed them not just for defense, but offense, using them much like brass knuckles in hand-to-hand combat. Unlike the chakram, karas do not have sharpened edges, nor were they used as throwing weapons.

After her courtship with Jayadeep Mir and her subsequent move to India, the British Assassin Evie Frye also adopted the karas. They served as her principal close combat weapon in 1888, when she returned to London to stop Jack the Ripper's Autumn of Terror. Her set bore a quote written in Tamil script from the 12th century Shaivist hagiographic and devotional poem collection Tevaram that read, "குறைவிலா நிறைவே குணக் குறைவே நிறைவே" (Kuṟaivilā niṟaivē kuṇak kuṟaivē niṟaivē). ^{[citation needed]}

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Jack the Ripper