Antique Indian Hindu Temple Guard Axe Early 19th Century India

Antique large brass inlaid Indian Hindu temple guard axe (tabar) early 19th century, India.
The axe has a massive blade with a crescentic sharp cutting edge, and scalloped sides pierced with holes.
The massive still blade is decorated on each face with inlaid brass and hand-carved reliefs depicting standing figures representing various Hindu diets, including Krishna playing the flute within a shrine with domed (chhajjas) roofs. All are surrounded by hand-chiseled steel floral sprays and flower heads inlaid in the center with brass.
The blade is secured to the shaft by a rectangular-shaped block with holes pierced in the back. The rectangular block is inlaid with brass Indian script on both sides and surmounted with a spike.

The blade is mounted on its original cylindrical broadened hardwood haft, secured on both sides with 3 iron pins with brass washers. The haft is mounted with an iron mushroom-shaped pommel to prevent the axe from slipping out of the hand.

MEASUREMENTS: Overall length: 77 cm (30.31 inches).
The overall length of the steel head is 30.5 cm (12.01 inches).
The height of the steel head, including the rectangular block, is 24 cm (9.45 inches).

CONDITION: This item is in overall good condition, a testament to its quality and durability over its 200-year lifespan.