Importance of the Kamarkasa

The kamarkasa, or waist-belt which holds weapons, has always been essential in the dress of the Sikh warriors. The passage below from Sri Sarbloh Guru Granth Sahib recites:

ਕਾਲ ਉਪਾਸਕ ਛਤ੍ਰਿਯ-ਧਰਮਾ, ਰਣ ਕਟਿ ਕਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਅਏ॥

Worshipers of Death and followers of the Kshatriya way, wearing a waistband [kamarkasa] they [the Khalsa] are the supreme warriors.

In the sakhi of Sukha Singh in Panth Prakash, Rattan Singh Bhangoo describes Sukha Singh as such:

ਕਮਰ ਕੱਸਾ ਨਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਰਖੇ, ਲੜਣ ਘੁਲਨ ਕੋ ਤਯਾਰ ॥

His battlefield Kamarkasa [Weapons belt] was tied tightly day and night, Sukha Singh was always ready to battle and wrestle.

Those with the knowledge of Shastar-vidiya know how important the kamarkasa plays in drawing their weapon quickly. Whereas a gathra requires the effort from both hands to draw their weapon, the kamarkasa allows for the drawing of a weapon with one hand.