Chatterbox, 1922, Author Unknown

Bows and arrows, swords and spears have been used war or hunting by most nations and form the earliest times. However, there are some unique weapons that have been restricted to use in certain countries. The boomerang seems to have been invented and only used by the black natives of Australia; and a missile weapon called a chakra by the hindus was peculiar to India.

The chakra is simply a quoit with the outer edge sharpened. It is so old that in the sculptures of the ruined temples of India, the Gods are often depicted taking it in one of their numerous hands; and it was the weapon with which the god Indra, lord of heaven, was to destroy his enemies.

There are several ways to throw the chakra, but it is usually twirled on the fingers to give it a twisting motion rather than thrown out of the hand just like a stone from a sling, injuring the faces or breaking the skull it hits. The Indians were very good at it; and before the introduction of firearms. It must have been an impressive weapon, but it is no longer used in war.

The last time it was used in the battle with the Sikhs during the war in Punjaub. In the great army that Shere Singh led against the war, all ancient and modern Hindu weapons were represented. There were large troops carrying firearms and drilled in the European manner, as well as squadrons of horsemen in full amour with featured helmets on their heads and lances.

There were also many thousands of irregular soldiers, both on horseback and on foot; and among the latter some who wore several chakras arranged on their tall caps.  Their practise was to hurl their sharp quoits at the advancing enemy and then charge them with their swords. Nothing could surpass the bravery of the Sikhs; and only after numerous battles, in which the British troops suffered badly, were they subdued. The chakra, no longer a military weapon, is only used by the Hindus in their games or to demonstrate their skills in throwing.