| Knives are one of the oldest and most useful | | | | their own knives in special sheaths attached |
| human tools. Our ancestors used sharp stones | | | | to their belts. Such knives were narrow with |
| or wood pieces to do what knives today do. | | | | sharp edges and were used to pierce food and |
| They were used to cut, prick and carve and | | | | raise food to one's mouth. Even to this day, |
| stood as a symbol of bravery. With the | | | | the Gurkha people still practice carrying |
| invention of metal, there was an evolution of | | | | their knives anywhere and everywhere. The |
| the most used human tool, knife. As | | | | knife is a symbol of the Gurkha; it has |
| civilization advanced, various types of | | | | religious significance, too. |
| metals used in making knives (through the | | | | |
| Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age) emerged. | | | | As time evolved, knives were adopted to be |
| | | | used in the kitchen and at the dining tables; |
| In prehistoric times flints were used to make | | | | however, they retained their use as weapons |
| knives. Flint is a hard, sedimentary | | | | and in the war field in the form of swords. |
| cryptocrystalline silicate form of the | | | | Many of the native Indian idols of gods are |
| mineral quartz. As time and invention | | | | symbolized holding various types of knives as |
| advanced with the discovery of fire and | | | | weapons; this proves that knives are a |
| annealing in metallurgy, the art of melting | | | | prominent weapon in ancient Indian history. |
| metals came and men molded metals for knives. | | | | There is no historical account that does not |
| Initially knives were made of bronze and | | | | mention the glory of the warrior's sword. |
| iron. Later, knife making advanced and | | | | |
| knives with metal alloys and combination of | | | | In all the cultures of the world, every |
| metals were produced - now, these have to | | | | authoritative head of any kingdom possessed a |
| stainless steel knives. | | | | knife as a mark of bravery. The swords that |
| | | | declared victory in a battle were adorned and |
| Early men used the knives as weapons, tools, | | | | handed over to the legal heir. The sword as |
| and utensils for eating. Historically, | | | | a knife is a legendary symbol of victory and |
| knives were decorated with feathers. People | | | | a matter of pride to be possessed and |
| took pride in possessing a sharp and | | | | exhibited. |
| beautiful knife. Later gold and silver | | | | |
| designs were embedded in the knives. Some | | | | Every king had a separate category of |
| knives were exclusively meant for men and | | | | employers to maintain the knives that were |
| some for women; some were made for use by | | | | used in the war. With the advancement of |
| both sexes. | | | | technology and the discovery of guns, |
| | | | however, the knife lost its place in battle |
| Jeweled metal knives were a proud possession | | | | fields. Nowadays, knives have evolved to |
| of warriors. Traditionally, people carried | | | | serve domestic duties instead. |