Rampuri
Encyclopedia
The Rampuri is an India
n gravity knife
of formidable reputation having a single edged blade roughly 9 to 12 inches long. Usually it is the switchblade
type but there are step-lock types available as well, which became synonymous to the town of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
. It formed the basic weapon for Indian thugs or "goondas" during the beginning of the 19th century. The name Rampuri comes from a town called Rampur
in Uttar Pradesh
, India
. The royal Bladesmith
s of local Nawabs of Rampur started making knives after the popularization of firearms after the 18th century.
The Rampuri is still in use today as a crime weapon, by the local Indian mafia although local made guns and sophisticated automatic pistols have largely taken their place. However, in mid 1990s, Government of Uttar Pradesh
banned making such knives longer than 4.5 inches of blade length, which led to the drop in popularity of the knife, which even made its way to crime thrillers of Bollywood
in the 60s and 70s.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n gravity knife
Gravity knife
A gravity knife is a knife with a blade contained in its handle, and which opens its blade by the force of inertia or gravity. As the gravity knife requires gravity or inertia to propel the blade out of the handle, it differs fundamentally from the switchblade, which opens its spring-propelled...
of formidable reputation having a single edged blade roughly 9 to 12 inches long. Usually it is the switchblade
Switchblade
A switchblade is a type of knife with a folding or sliding blade contained in the handle which is opened automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or bolster is activated A switchblade (also known as an automatic knife, pushbutton knife, switch, Sprenger, Springer,...
type but there are step-lock types available as well, which became synonymous to the town of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Rampur is a city and a municipality located in Rampur District in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Rampur district is located at Longitude 78-0-54 to 69-0-28 East and Latitude 28-25 to 29-10 North and spans an area of 2,367 km².It also gave its name to a former princely state of British...
. It formed the basic weapon for Indian thugs or "goondas" during the beginning of the 19th century. The name Rampuri comes from a town called Rampur
Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Rampur is a city and a municipality located in Rampur District in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Rampur district is located at Longitude 78-0-54 to 69-0-28 East and Latitude 28-25 to 29-10 North and spans an area of 2,367 km².It also gave its name to a former princely state of British...
in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The royal Bladesmith
Bladesmith
Bladesmithing is the art of making knives, swords, daggers and other blades using a forge, hammer, anvil, and other smithing tools. Bladesmiths employ a variety of metalworking techniques similar to those used by blacksmiths, as well as woodworking for knife and sword handles, and often...
s of local Nawabs of Rampur started making knives after the popularization of firearms after the 18th century.
The Rampuri is still in use today as a crime weapon, by the local Indian mafia although local made guns and sophisticated automatic pistols have largely taken their place. However, in mid 1990s, Government of Uttar Pradesh
Government of Uttar Pradesh
The Government of Uttar Pradesh is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh who is appointed for a period of five years, appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
banned making such knives longer than 4.5 inches of blade length, which led to the drop in popularity of the knife, which even made its way to crime thrillers of Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
in the 60s and 70s.