An Indian iron axe, underscored to the Baiga settlement in India, Chhattisgarh. The blade made of iron is rectangular with a blunt edge which is good for heavy chopping, clearing of wood in the forest, and digging in the forest soil. Both surfaces of the blade have roughened patches indicating that thin surface just shows indigenous forging by local blacksmiths. There is a proper hole on the side opposite the cutting edge to insert a long wooden handle that will then be aligned parallel to the cutting edge. This ensures stability and leverage whenever this axe is put into repeated hard use, whether in the forest or field.
Concentrated mainly in Kawardha (Kabirdham) district and Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state, India, the Baigas constitute a tribe. A very peculiar identity of this tribe is its belief and attachment to forests and forest-related uses of traditional implements. This can be best seen in an axe that self-sustains, handmade, multifunctional, and also suiting their nature environment.