Gandasi

A gandasi (also sometimes spelled gandasa) is a type of broad-axe or large cleaver, traditionally used in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It is primarily an agricultural tool, employed for chopping wood, sugarcane, and other tough materials.

The gandasi typically consists of a heavy, slightly curved blade attached to a long wooden handle. The blade is generally made of iron or steel. Its size and weight allow for powerful chopping strokes. While primarily a tool, the gandasi has historically been used as a weapon in some contexts, though this is less common. Its use as a weapon is generally considered opportunistic rather than its primary function. The length of the handle varies, enabling the user to generate considerable force. The gandasi is distinct from an axe designed primarily for felling trees, being generally shorter and heavier for its length.