Bagh naka
The bagh naka (also known as Bagh Nakh, wagh nakh, or bhagunakha)(Marathi: वाघनख / वाघनख्या, Hindi: बाघ नख, Urdu: باگھ نکھ) is a claw-like weapon from India designed to fit over the knuckles or be concealed under and against the palm. It consists of four or five curved blades affixed to a crossbar or glove, and is designed to slash through skin and muscle. It is believed to have been inspired by the armament of big cats, and the term bagh naka itself means tiger's claw in Hindi.
History
There are conflicting reports of the time period in which the bagh naka first appeared. Poisoned bagh naka had been used by the Rajput clans for assassinations. The most well-known usage of the weapon was by the first Maratha emperor Shivaji who used a bichuwa bagh naka to defeat the Bijapur general Afzal Khan. It was a popular weapon among the Nihang who wore it in their turbans and often held one in their left hand while wielding a larger weapon such as a sword in the right hand. It was recommended that Nihang women carry a bagh naka when going alone to dangerous areas.
Nakh languages
The Nakh languages are a small family of languages spoken chiefly by the Nakh peoples, in Russia (Chechnya and Ingushetia), in Georgia, and in the Chechen diaspora (mainly in Europe, Middle East and Central Asia).
The Nakh languages were historically classified as an independent North-Central Caucasian family, but are now recognized as a branch of the Northeast Caucasian family. They are believed to have split off some 5,000–6,000 years ago.
Classification
The voicing of ejective consonants
The Nakh languages are relevant to the glottalic theory of Indo-European, as the Veinakh branch has undergone the voicing of ejectives that has been postulated but widely derided as improbable in that family. In initial position, Bats ejectives correspond to Veinakh ejectives, but in non-initial position to Veinakh voiced consonants. (The exception is *qʼ, which remains an ejective in Veinakh.)
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