Introduction
Madu is an ancient Indian weapon made from the horns of antelope such as blackbuck and nilgai. The horns are fixed in opposite directions and joined using a metal strip, leaving space in the center for hand grip.
Historical Background
The tips of the horns are fitted with sharp metal arrow-shaped caps. Over time, variants of Madu were developed, including shield-mounted versions with horns attached behind the shield.
Technology
Hand-held dual-horn defensive and offensive weapon
Materials Used:
Antelope horns, Metal
Antelope horns, Metal
Weight:
Not specified
Not specified
Range / Capacity:
Close combat
Close combat
Firing Mechanism:
Hand-held thrusting weapon
Hand-held thrusting weapon
Usage in India
Madu was traditionally used in Indian martial practices. It was commonly held in the left hand while the right hand wielded a sword.
Related Battles
Not specified
Advantages
Can be used for both attack and defense; protects the hand while allowing thrust attacks
Limitations
Limited range; requires close combat skill
Notes
In some variants, Madu was combined with a shield, allowing both defense and offensive thrusting.