Part of a series on Indian martial arts
Various Indian martial arts
Pehlwani - Kalarippayattu - Malla-yuddha - Vajra Mushti / Vajra Mukti - Chakram - Kabaddi - Silambam Nillaikalakki - Gatka and other arts
Notable Practitioners
The Great Gama - Phillip Zarrilli - Jasmine Simhalan - Jyesthimallas - Gobar Goho - Imam Baksh Pahalwan - Paul Whitrod - Gulam - Guru Har Gobind - John Will
Related articles
Kshatriya - Yoga - Indian mêlée weapons - Dravidian martial arts - Ayurveda - Sri Lankan martial arts - Indian martial arts in popular culture - Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts

Martial arts have been associated with avatars, such as Balarama, in ancient Hindu mythological texts

The Indian subcontinent is home to a variety of martial arts, including Pehlwani, Vajra Mushti, Gatka, and Dravidian martial arts (Kalarippayattu, Marma Adi). Image File history File links Chola Bronze statue of Nataraja at the Met of New York File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Pehlwani Maruti Mane, winner of the Hind-Kesari title of India and 1970 British Commonwealth Games silver medalist in wrestling Modern Indian wrestling, or Pehlwani (Devanagari: पहलवानी), is a synthesis of an indigenous Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to at least the 5th century BC [1] and... Kalarippayattu (Malayalam:കളരിപയററ്) is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu. ... Mallayuddha (literally wrestling combat)[1] is the martial art of classical Indian wrestling. ... Vajra Mushti (or Vajra Mukti)/Diamond Fist is one of the oldest martial arts of India . ... Sikhs with chakrams, inscribed Nihang Abchal Nagar (Nihangs from Hazur Sahib), 1844 The chakram is a throwing weapon that was used by the ancient Indians; it is a flat metal ring with a sharp outer edge from 5 to 12 inches in diameter. ... Kabaddi (sometimes written Kabbadi or Kabadi) (Hindi: कबड्डी; IPA: ) is a team sport originally from South Asia. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Gatka (Punjabi: , ) is a traditional Sikh martial art. ... This is a list of martial arts, broken down by region and style. ... The Great Gama The Great Gama (1882-1960), also known as Rustam-e-zaman Gama Pahelvan, born Ghulam Muhammad, in Amritsar, India, was a renowned wrestler and the first inhabitant of British India to claim an international title in any sport. ... Phillip Zarrilli is a notable martial artist. ... Jasmine Simhalan (born 13th November 1970 in Chennai, India) is a notable practitioner of Indian martial arts and Classical Indian dance. ... The Jyesthimalla (literally the greatest warriors) are a clan of martial artists in India who practice the martial art of Vajra Mushti. ... Gobar Goho is a legendary Indian wrestler and a practitoner of the Indian style of Pehlwani wrestling. ... // The Art of Pehlwani Pehlwani in India and Pakistan Pehlwani (also spelled as pahlwani) is a form of wrestling native to India. ... This article lacks information on the importance of the subject matter. ... Gulam was a renowed wrestler and a practitioner of the Indian wrestling style of Pehlwani. ... Mid-nineteenth century miniature of Guru Hargobind. ... John Will is a notable martial artist from Australia. ... For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. ... Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on meditation as a path to self-knowledge and liberation. ... // [edit] List of Dravidian Martial Arts by state or province [edit] Kerala Kalarippayattu (ക്അലരിപ്പയത്തു) Marma Adi (മര്മ അദി) [edit] Tamil Nadu & Northeast Sri Lanka Adithada (அடிதட) Kuttu Varisai (குத்துவரிசை) Malyutham (மல்யுதம்) Varma Kalai (வர்மக்கலை) [edit] See also Tamil Martial Arts Categories: | ... Shirodhara, one of the techniques of Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is a practice in use primarily in the Indian subcontinent, which advocates argue assists with health and healing. ... There are 2 styles of martial arts native to Sri Lanka:Cheena di and Angampora. ... A list of Indian martial arts in popular culture. ... Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts, or more specifically, Shaolin Kung Fu, is endorsed by the traditional Shaolin temple claims and the claims of a majority of martial arts historians. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... See Avatar (disambiguation) for other meanings. ... Balarama, next to the river Yamuna. ... Hindu mythology is a term used by modern scholarship for a large body of Indian literature that details the lives and times of legendary personalities, deities and divine incarnations on earth interspersed with often large sections of philosophical and ethical discourse. ... Satellite image of the Indian subcontinent Map of South Asia (see note) This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Pehlwani Maruti Mane, winner of the Hind-Kesari title of India and 1970 British Commonwealth Games silver medalist in wrestling Modern Indian wrestling, or Pehlwani (Devanagari: पहलवानी), is a synthesis of an indigenous Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to at least the 5th century BC [1] and... Vajra Mushti (or Vajra Mukti)/Diamond Fist is one of the oldest martial arts of India . ... Gatka (Punjabi: , ) is a traditional Sikh martial art. ... // [edit] List of Dravidian Martial Arts by state or province [edit] Kerala Kalarippayattu (ക്അലരിപ്പയത്തു) Marma Adi (മര്മ അദി) [edit] Tamil Nadu & Northeast Sri Lanka Adithada (அடிதட) Kuttu Varisai (குத்துவரிசை) Malyutham (மல்யுதம்) Varma Kalai (வர்மக்கலை) [edit] See also Tamil Martial Arts Categories: | ... Kalarippayattu (Malayalam:കളരിപയററ്) is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Introduction

Ancient India was one of the centres of various martial traditions and practices. Most of the centers were in the Southern region, including present-day Kerala and the ancient Kingdom of Tamilakam. Some of the older traditions include organised martial systems as practiced by the Kshatriya warrior caste of Hinduism, these systems include armed and unarmed combat and aspects such as meditation, conditioning etc. Many ancient Hindu temples have statues of deities and warriors in various postures related to combat. The archaeological record in India (encompassing the territory of the modern nations of the Republic of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) shows first traces of Homo sapiens from ca. ... Kerala ( ; Malayalam: േകരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... The ancient Tamil country of the classical era extended from River Krishna to the Cape Comorin(Kanyakumari). ... For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. ... Hinduism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Bedugul Hindu temple in Bali, Indonesia A Hindu temple, is a house of worship for followers of Hinduism. ... This list of deities aims at giving information about deities in the different religions, cultures and mythologies of the world. ...

Martial arts of the Indian subcontinent are diverse in nature and have origins of different times from various different ethnic groups. A number of ancient and sophisticated Dravidian martial arts were developed in South India, including Kuttu Varisai (empty hand combat) and Varma Kalai (the art of vital points) in Tamil Nadu, and Kalari Payattu (way of the arena) and Adithada (attack and defend) in Kerala. Satellite image of the Indian subcontinent Map of South Asia (see note) This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia. ... // [edit] List of Dravidian Martial Arts by state or province [edit] Kerala Kalarippayattu (ക്അലരിപ്പയത്തു) Marma Adi (മര്മ അദി) [edit] Tamil Nadu & Northeast Sri Lanka Adithada (அடிதட) Kuttu Varisai (குத்துவரிசை) Malyutham (மல்யுதம்) Varma Kalai (வர்மக்கலை) [edit] See also Tamil Martial Arts Categories: | ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... Kuttu Varisai (Empty Hand Combat) (Tamil: ) is a Tamil Indian martial art practiced in Tamil Nadu, South India and in Northeastern Sri Lanka, formerly known as Thamizhakkam. ... Varma Kalai Varma Kalai (also spelled Varmakalai or Varmakkalai) is an ancient martial art which has its origins in the southern part of India, more specifically, around Tamil Nadu state. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Kalarippayattu (Malayalam:കളരിപയററ്) is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu. ... Adithada (Adi means kick and thada means block) is a martial art originating from the south of India that is similar to Japanese Karate and Kickboxing. ... Kerala ( ; Malayalam: േകരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ...

History

Early martial arts

Early martial traditions find mention in Indian literature, including Vedic literature dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, such as the Rig Veda (6.75.2), Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda, and epic literature such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The ancient Vishnu Purana text describes Dhanur Veda as one of the traditional eighteen branches of knowledge.^[1] Though some descriptions of Dhanur Veda are found in Vedic and epic literature, and in other ancient texts such as the Vishnu Purana and the Siva Dhanur Veda of the Gupta Empire, the earliest extant manual of Dhanur Veda is in the Agni Purana (c. 8th century),^[2] which contains several chapters giving descriptions and instructions on the fighting arts of Dhanur Veda, with reference earlier sutras on Dhanur Veda dating back centuries earlier.^[3] It described how to improve a warrior's individual prowess and kill enemies using various different methods in warfare, whether a warrior went to war in chariots, elephants, horses, or on foot. Foot methods were subdivided into armed combat and unarmed combat.^[4] The former included the bow and arrow, the sword, spear, noose, armour, iron dart, club, battle axe, discus, and the trident.^[1] The latter included wrestling, knee strikes, and punching and kicking methods.^[4] Indian literature is generally acknowledged, but not wholly established, as the oldest in the world. ... Veda redirects here. ... The 2nd millennium BC marks the transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age. ... The Rigveda (Sanskrit: , a tatpurusha compound of praise, verse and knowledge) is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the gods. ... The Yajurveda (Sanskrit , a tatpurusha compound of sacrifice + veda knowledge) is one of the four Hindu Vedas. ... The Atharvaveda (Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद, , a tatpurusha compound of , a type of priest, and meaning knowledge) is a sacred text of Hinduism, and one of the four Vedas, often called the fourth Veda. According to tradition, the Atharvaveda was mainly composed by two groups of rishis known as the Bhrigus and the... The ancient Sanskrit epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, laid the cornerstone for much of Hindu religion. ... Manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra The (Devanagari: ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the . ... For the television series by Ramanand Sagar, see Ramayan (TV series). ... The Vishnu Purana is one of the oldest of the Puranas (dating to maybe the 5th century), containing some 23,000 shlokas, presented as a dialogue between Parasara with his disciple Maitreya. ... The Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II (ruled 375-415) The Gupta Empire was one of the largest political and military empires in ancient India. ... Agni Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text believed to be written and compiled in the 10th century, contains descriptions and details of various incarnations (avatars) of Vishnu. ... Sūtra (sex) (Sanskrit) or Sutta (Pāli) literally means a rope or thread that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. ... A bow is an ancient weapon that shoots arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow. ... Japanese arrow (ya) and head // Weapon An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. ... It has been suggested that War-sword be merged into this article or section. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ... How to make a noose. ... Armour is protective clothing intended to defend its wearer from intentional harm in combat and military engagements, typically associated with soldiers. ... Darts are missile weapons, designed to fly such that a sharp, often weighted point will strike first. ... A club, cudgel, truncheon, night stick, or bludgeon is among the simplest of all weapons. ... Swedish halberds from 16th century A halberd is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. ... Discus may refer to: Discus throw, an athletic discipline Discus fish, a freshwater perciform fish Schempp-Hirth Discus, a competition sailplane Discus (band), a progressive rock band from Indonesia. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Ancient Greek wrestlers (Pankratiasts) Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two competitors competing for a physical advantage. ... A knee (technically referred to as a knee strike) is a martial arts and combatives term for a strike with the knee. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Kicker redirects here. ...

The earliest evidence of the concept of vital pressure points also dates back to the Rig Veda where Indra is recorded to have defeated Vritra by attacking his vital pressure points (marman) with his vajra.^[5] References are also found in the Atharva Veda.^[6] With numerous other scattered references to vital points in Vedic and epic sources, it is certain that India's early martial practitioners knew and practiced attacking or defending vital points.^[2] Sushruta (c. 6th century BC) identified and defined 107 vital points of the human body in his Sushruta Samhita.^[7] Of these 107 points, 64 were classified as being lethal if properly struck with a fist or stick.^[4] Sushruta's work formed the basis of the medical discipline Ayurveda, which was taught alongside various Indian martial arts that had an emphasis on vital points, such as Varma Kalai and Marma Adi.^[4] Pressure points are points on the body that have some anatomical significance, e. ... Indra (Sanskrit: इन्द्र or इंद्र, indra) is the god of weather and war, and lord of Svargaloka in Hinduism. ... In the early Vedic religion, Vritra (Sanskrit: वृत्र (Devanāgarī) or (IAST)) the enveloper, was an Asura and also a serpent or dragon, the personification of drought and enemy of Indra. ... Vajrasattva holds the vajra in his right hand and a bell in his left hand. ... Sushruta (also spelt Susruta or Sushrutha) (c. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... // A staff is a large, thick stick or stick-shaped object used to help with walking, as a status symbol, or as a weapon. ... Shirodhara, one of the techniques of Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is a practice in use primarily in the Indian subcontinent, which advocates argue assists with health and healing. ... Varma Kalai Varma Kalai (also spelled Varmakalai or Varmakkalai) is an ancient martial art which has its origins in the southern part of India, more specifically, around Tamil Nadu state. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Indian works of art, particularly in temple sculptures show warriors in positions related to the martial arts. ^[8]

Classical Indian martial arts

Organised martial arts in ancient India include the martial art of Malla-yuddha (more commonly known as Mallayuddha), a form of combat wrestling codified into four forms,^[9] which is described in the ancient Indian epics as the fighting style of warriors such as Bhima. The art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in ancient India at the time when the oral tradition of the Mahabharata epic was conceived. The Mahabharata was compiled in textual form around the 5th century BC, while the epic's setting has a historical precedent in Vedic India, where the Kuru kingdom was the center of political power in the late 2nd and early 1st millennia BC. It is believed that Malla-yuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era. Mallayuddha (literally wrestling combat)[1] is the martial art of classical Indian wrestling. ... Ancient Greek wrestlers (Pankratiasts) Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two competitors competing for a physical advantage. ... The ancient Sanskrit epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, laid the cornerstone for much of Hindu religion. ... A motif depicting Bheema in the battle ready posture. ... Manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra The (Devanagari: ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the . ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The position of the Kuru kingdom in Iron Age Vedic India. ... The 2nd millennium BC marks the transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age. ... (2nd millennium BC – 1st millennium BC – 1st millennium – other millennia) // Events The Iron Age spread to Western Europe Egypt declined as a major power The Tanakh was written Buddhism was founded by Siddharta Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha (6th century BC) Jainism was founded by Mahavira (6th century BC...

The Mahabharata describes a prolonged battle between Arjuna and Karna using bows, swords, trees and rocks, and fists.^[1] Another unarmed battle in the Mahabharata describes two fighters boxing with clenched fists and fighting with kicks, finger strikes, knee strikes and headbutts.^[10] Other boxing fights are also described in Mahabharata and Ramayana.^[11] Krishna to Arjuna: Behold My mystic opulence! Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, arjuna) is one of the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Domínguez (left) versus Rafael Ortíz Boxing, also called pugilism (from Latin), prizefighting (when referring to professional boxing) or the sweet science[1] is a sport and martial art in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists in a... This does not cite its references or sources. ... A taekwondo sidekick. ... Front knee strike demonstrated from the double collar tie. ... The top combatant can attack with headbutts while being held in the bottom combatants guard. ... For the television series by Ramanand Sagar, see Ramayan (TV series). ...

Stories describing Krishna{{fact)) report that he sometimes engaged in wrestling matches where he used knee strikes to the chest, punches to the head, hair pulling, and strangleholds.^[4] Records from around 500 BC^{[citation needed]} describe martial arts which include combat techniques in which a fighter seizes or reverses holds on an opponent's joints, strikes with his fists, or grapples and throws his adversary. Hindu press ups and Hindu squats used by Indian wrestlers also date back to this era.^[4] Krishna with Radharani, 18th C Rajasthani painting Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, in IAST ) is a deity famously worshipped throughout the traditions of Hinduism. ... Front knee strike demonstrated from the double collar tie. ... Look up Punch in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Punch can refer to: Punch from Punch and Judy Punch (magazine) Punch (drink), various mixed drinks often containing fruit or fruit juice, sometimes alcoholic Punch (strike), blow made with a fist. ... The lateral vascular neck restraint is a very potent chokehold. ... A press up (also push up) is a common strength training exercise performed while lying horizontal and face down, raising and lowering using the arms. ... The hindu squat is an Indian calisthenic leg exercise called bethaks, used by Indian wrestlers to build bodyweight explosive leg strength and strong leg endurance. ...

Around the 3rd century BC, Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, which taught how to meditate single-mindedly on points located inside one's body, which was used in later martial arts, while various mudra finger movements were taught in Yogacara Buddhism. These Yoga elements, as well as finger movements in the nata dances, were later incorporated into various martial arts.^[4] Patañjali, is the compiler of the Yoga Sutra, a major work containing aphorisms on the practical and philosophical wisdom regarding practice of Raja yoga. ... This is an article about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. ... A mudrā (Sanskrit, मुद्रा, literally seal) is a symbolic gesture usually made with the hand or fingers. ... Yogācāra (Sanskrit: yoga practice), also spelled yogāchāra, is an influential school of philosophy and psychology that developed in Indian Mahayana Buddhism starting sometime in the fourth to fifth centuries C.E., also commonly known as Consciousness-only (Sanskrit: Cittamātra). ... Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on meditation as a path to self-knowledge and liberation. ...

Ancient Dravidian martial arts, and the word "kalari", are mentioned in Sangam literature from the 2nd century BC. The Akananuru and Purananuru describe the martial arts of ancient Tamilakkam, including forms of one-to-one combat, and the use of spears, swords, shields, bows and silambam. The word "kalari" appears in the Puram (verses 225, 237, 245, 356) and Akam (verses 34, 231, 293) to describe to both a battlefield and combat arena. The word "kalari tatt" denoted a martial feat, while "kalari kozhai" meant a coward in war.^[12] // [edit] List of Dravidian Martial Arts by state or province [edit] Kerala Kalarippayattu (ക്അലരിപ്പയത്തു) Marma Adi (മര്മ അദി) [edit] Tamil Nadu & Northeast Sri Lanka Adithada (அடிதட) Kuttu Varisai (குத்துவரிசை) Malyutham (மல்யுதம்) Varma Kalai (வர்மக்கலை) [edit] See also Tamil Martial Arts Categories: | ... Kalari Puttara The traditional training of Kalarippayattu a martial art of Kerala a small state in south India, is always done inside the Kalari which is specially constructed practicing area. ... Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 200 BCE and 300 CE.[1][2] This collection contains 2381 poems written by 473 poets, some 102 of whom are anonymous authors[3]. The period during which these poems were written is commonly referred to... Akananuru (அகநானுறு) is the seventh book in the Sangam literature anthology Ettuthokai. ... Pura Nanooru or Pura Nanuru is an ancient Tamil Sangam collection of poems, dating from 900 BCE to 220 CE. It is one of the oldest Tamil anthologies. ... The ancient Tamil country refers to the areas of South India and the northeastern Sri Lanka in which Tamil was the major language during ancient times. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

References to martial arts are found in early Buddhist texts. The Lotus Sutra (ca. 1st century AD) refers to a boxing art while speaking to Manjusri.^[13] The Lotus Sutra also categorized combat techniques as joint locks, fist strikes, grapples, and throws,^[14] and also referred to a martial art with dance-like movements called Nara.^[15] Another early Buddhist sutra Hongyo-kyo describes a "strength contest" between Gautama Buddha's half-brother Prince Nanda and his cousin Devadatta.^[13] Other stories suggest that Siddhartha Gautama was a champion of martial arts and archery before becoming the Buddha.^[4] There are a great variety of Buddhist texts. ... The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit: Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra; 妙法蓮華經 Chinese: Miàofǎ Liánhuā Jīng; Japanese: Myōhō Renge Kyō; Korean: Myobeomnyeonhwagyeong) is one of the most popular and influential Mahāyāna sutras in East Asia and... Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Domínguez (left) versus Rafael Ortíz Boxing, also called pugilism (from Latin), prizefighting (when referring to professional boxing) or the sweet science[1] is a sport and martial art in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists in a... Statue of Manjusri (Monju) at Senkoji in Onomichi, Japan Mañjuśrī (Ch: 文殊 Wenshu or 文殊師利 Wenshushili; Jp: Monju; Tib: Jampelyang), also written Manjushri, is the bodhisattva of keen awareness in Buddhism. ... Two wrestlers clinching. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Sacrifice throws are considered risky since they put the thrower in a disadvantagous position. ... Sūtra (sex) (Sanskrit) or Sutta (Pāli) literally means a rope or thread that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. ... Nanda, enticed by the Buddha to leave his bride-to-be and become a monk Nanda was a half-brother of the Buddha, the son of Śuddhodana and Mahāprajāpatī. He had a reputation as a handsome man, and was going to be married to Janapadakalyani, when the Buddha... Devadatta was a Buddhist monk recorded as having attempted to create a schism in the sangha, or monastic community, by putting forward a modified set of rules (vinaya) for monks to follow. ...

Like other branches of Sanskrit literature, treatises on martial arts become more systematic in the course of the 1st millennium AD. The Sushruta Samhita (ca. 3rd century) identified and defined 107 vital points of the human body.^[16] Of these 107 points, 64 were classified as being lethal if properly struck with a fist or stick.^[4] Sushruta's work formed the basis of the medical discipline Ayurveda, which was taught alongside various Indian martial arts that had an emphasis on vital points, such as Varma Kalai and Marma Adi.^[4] Literature in Sanskrit, one of Indias two oldest languages, and the basis of several modern languages in India. ... The Sushruta Samhita is a Sanskrit text on surgery, attributed to Sushruta (lived in ca. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... // A staff is a large, thick stick or stick-shaped object used to help with walking, as a status symbol, or as a weapon. ... Shirodhara, one of the techniques of Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is a practice in use primarily in the Indian subcontinent, which advocates argue assists with health and healing. ... Varma Kalai Varma Kalai (also spelled Varmakalai or Varmakkalai) is an ancient martial art which has its origins in the southern part of India, more specifically, around Tamil Nadu state. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Vishnu Purana text describes Dhanur Veda as one of the traditional eighteen branches of knowledge.^[1] Though some descriptions of Dhanur Veda are found in Vedic and epic literature, and in other Sanskrit texts such as the Vishnu Purana and the Siva Dhanur Veda of the Gupta Empire, the earliest extant manual of Dhanur Veda is in the Agni Purana (c. 8th century),^[2] which contains several chapters giving descriptions and instructions on the fighting arts of Dhanur Veda, with reference earlier sutras on Dhanur Veda dating back centuries earlier.^[17] It described how to improve a warrior's individual prowess and kill enemies using various different methods in warfare, whether a warrior went to war in chariots, elephants, horses, or on foot. Foot methods were subdivided into armed combat and unarmed combat.^[4] The former included the bow and arrow, the sword, spear, noose, armour, iron dart, club, battle axe, discus, and the trident.^[1] The latter included wrestling, knee strikes, and punching and kicking methods.^[4] The Vishnu Purana is one of the oldest of the Puranas (dating to maybe the 5th century), containing some 23,000 shlokas, presented as a dialogue between Parasara with his disciple Maitreya. ... The Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II (ruled 375-415) The Gupta Empire was one of the largest political and military empires in ancient India. ... Agni Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text believed to be written and compiled in the 10th century, contains descriptions and details of various incarnations (avatars) of Vishnu. ... Sūtra (sex) (Sanskrit) or Sutta (Pāli) literally means a rope or thread that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. ... A bow is an ancient weapon that shoots arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow. ... Japanese arrow (ya) and head // Weapon An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. ... It has been suggested that War-sword be merged into this article or section. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ... How to make a noose. ... Armour is protective clothing intended to defend its wearer from intentional harm in combat and military engagements, typically associated with soldiers. ... Darts are missile weapons, designed to fly such that a sharp, often weighted point will strike first. ... A club, cudgel, truncheon, night stick, or bludgeon is among the simplest of all weapons. ... Swedish halberds from 16th century A halberd is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. ... Discus may refer to: Discus throw, an athletic discipline Discus fish, a freshwater perciform fish Schempp-Hirth Discus, a competition sailplane Discus (band), a progressive rock band from Indonesia. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Ancient Greek wrestlers (Pankratiasts) Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two competitors competing for a physical advantage. ... A knee (technically referred to as a knee strike) is a martial arts and combatives term for a strike with the knee. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Kicker redirects here. ...

The martial art of Vajra Mushti was described in the Buddharata Sutra, written down by the 5th century,^[18] but based on earlier material used by the Kshatriya warrior caste.^[13] Indian military accounts of the Gupta Empire (c. 240-480) identified over 130 different classes of weapons. The Kama Sutra written by Vātsyāyana at the time suggested that women should regularly "practice with sword, single-stick, quarter-staff, and bow and arrow." Around this time, Tantric philosophers developed important metaphysical concepts such as kundalini energy, chakras, and mantras.^[4] Vajra Mushti (or Vajra Mukti)/Diamond Fist is one of the oldest martial arts of India . ... For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. ... The Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II (ruled 375-415) The Gupta Empire was one of the largest political and military empires in ancient India. ... Modern translated version of the original Sanskrit. ... Mallanaga Vātsyāyana is the name of an Indian philosopher in the Cārvāka or Lokyāta tradition, who lived some time in the Gupta period (4th to 6th centuries [[Common Era|CE). ... It has been suggested that War-sword be merged into this article or section. ... // A staff is a large, thick stick or stick-shaped object used to help with walking, as a status symbol, or as a weapon. ... A bow is an ancient weapon that shoots arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow. ... Japanese arrow (ya) and head // Weapon An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. ... Tantra (Sanskrit: तन्त्र weave denoting continuity[1]), tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric traditions rooted in the religions of India. ... Kundalini ( ) is a Sanskrit word meaning either coiled up or coiling like a snake. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ...

Organised martial traditions were studied as part of the dharma by the warrior Kshatriya in Hinduism

Image File history File links Rajputs. ... Image File history File links Rajputs. ... Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli: धमा) (Natural Law) refers to the underlying order in Nature and human behaviour considered to be in accord with that order. ... For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. ... Hinduism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Medieval Indian martial arts

Around 630, King Narasimhavarman of the Pallava dynasty commissioned dozens of granite sculptures showing unarmed fighters disarming armed opponents. These may have shown an early form of Varma Adi, a Dravidian martial art that allowed kicking, kneeing, elbowing, and punching to the head and chest, but prohibited blows below the waist. This is similar to the Dhanur Veda martial art described in the Agni Purana.^[4] This article belongs in one or more categories. ... Pallava Dynasty (300s-early 900s) were the rulers of the northern part of what is now the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. ... Varma Kalai Varma Kalai (also spelled Varmakalai or Varmakkalai) is an ancient martial art which has its origins in the southern part of India, more specifically, around Tamil Nadu state. ... A taekwondo sidekick. ... A sideways elbow strike. ...

Martial arts were not exclusive to the Kshatriya warrior caste, though they used the arts more extensively. The 8th century text Kuvalaymala by Udyotanasuri recorded martial arts being taught at salad and ghatika educational institutions, where Brahmin students from throughout the subcontinent (particularly from South India, Rajasthan and Bengal) "were learning and practicing archery, fighting with sword and shield, with daggers, sticks, lances, and with fists, and in duels (niuddham)."^[1] For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. ... A Brahmin (anglicised from the Sanskrit word IAST ; Devanagari ), also known as Vipra, Dvija, Dvijottama (best of the Dvijas), (god on Earth) is the highest caste in Indian caste system within Hindu society. ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... Rājasthān (DevanāgarÄ«: राजस्थान, IPA: )   is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... Bengal, known as Bôngo (Bengali: বঙ্গ), Bangla (বাংলা), Bôngodesh (বঙ্গদেশ), or Bangladesh (বাংলাদেশ) in the Bengali language, is a region in the northeast of South Asia. ...

The modern forms of Marma Adi, Varma Ati,^[4] and Kalarippayattu were developed by the 11th century, during an extended period of warfare between the Chera and Chola dynasties.^[19] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Varma Kalai Varma Kalai (also spelled Varmakalai or Varmakkalai) is an ancient martial art which has its origins in the southern part of India, more specifically, around Tamil Nadu state. ... Kalarippayattu (Malayalam:കളരിപയററ്) is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu. ... The Chera dynasty (Tamil: சேரர் Malayalam: േചര ) were one of the ancient Tamil dynasties who ruled the southern India from ancient times until around the fifteenth century CE. The Early Cheras ruled over the Malabar Coast, Coimbatore, Karur and Salem Districts in South India, which now forms part of the modern day... The Chola Dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: ) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century. ...

Catch wrestlers the Great Gama and Imam Baksh Pahalwan

Catch wrestling is a popular style of wrestling with origins in a variety of styles, most notably those of Lancashire, England, collar-and-elbow, and catch-as-catch-can (which is the immediate source of its name). ... Ghulam Mohammad Gama Pehlwan (1885-1953), populary referred to as the Great Gama, is the most famous practitioner of the sport of pehlwani and the greatest ever wrestler to come out of India. ... // The Art of Pehlwani Pehlwani in India and Pakistan Pehlwani (also spelled as pahlwani) is a form of wrestling native to India. ...

Indian martial arts under colonialism

Indian martial arts declined as Western colonialism disrupted the livelihoods of India's martial castes.

Kalarippayattu underwent a period of decline after the introduction of firearms and especially after the full establishment of British colonial rule in the 19th century.^[2] More European modes of organizing police, armies and governmental institutions, and the increasing use of firearms, gradually eroded the need for traditional martial training associated with caste-specific duties.^[19] The British Raj eventually banned Kalarippayattu in 1804 in response to a series of revolts.^[20] The flag of British India British India, circa 1860 The British Raj (Raj in Hindi meaning Rule; from Sanskrit Rajya) was the British rule between 1858 and 1947 of the Indian Subcontinent, which included the present-day India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Burma (Myanmar), whereby these lands were under the colonial...

The resurgence of public interest in Kalarippayattu began in the 1920s in Tellicherry as part of a wave of rediscovery of the traditional arts throughout South India which characterized the growing reaction against British colonial rule.in 17th century famous traveler willam Logan, quoted "... it is strange how ready the soldier of this country is at his weapon...they are all gentlemen and are termed Nayars ... they send their children to (Kalaris) when seven years old and their body becomes so nimble and bends as if they had no bones ..." Sonnerat, quoted ".... Nayars are the warriors, their arms, which they carry with them, distinguishes them from others ... they are known for their insolent haughtiness..." ^[19]

During the colonial period, Indian wrestling became prominent in western catch wrestling tournaments. ^{[21][22][23][24][25]} Famous Indian catch wrestlers at the time included the Great Gama and Imam Baksh Pahalwan. Catch wrestling is a popular style of wrestling with origins in a variety of styles, most notably those of Lancashire, England, collar-and-elbow, and catch-as-catch-can (which is the immediate source of its name). ... Ghulam Mohammad Gama Pehlwan (1885-1953), populary referred to as the Great Gama, is the most famous practitioner of the sport of pehlwani and the greatest ever wrestler to come out of India. ... // The Art of Pehlwani Pehlwani in India and Pakistan Pehlwani (also spelled as pahlwani) is a form of wrestling native to India. ...

Influence of Indian martial arts

Further information: Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts

See also: Bodhidharma, the martial arts, and the disputed India connection

The martial arts of India have influenced the martial arts of other countries, particularly within the Indosphere, those regions outside India influenced by Indian culture. Examples of such arts include Bando,^[26] Silat,^[27][28] Escrima,^[29] and Muay Thai. ^[30][31] Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts, or more specifically, Shaolin Kung Fu, is endorsed by the traditional Shaolin temple claims and the claims of a majority of martial arts historians. ... Bodhidharma, woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, 1887. ... Dark blue: the Indian subcontinent, Light Blue: Other countries culturally linked to India, notably Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia, Purple: Regions not included in Indosphere, but with significant current or historical Indian cultural influence, notably Afghanistan, Tibet, and Yunnan province of China. ... Taj Mahal, a popular icon of India The culture of India was moulded throughout various eras of history, all the while absorbing customs, traditions and ideas from both invaders and immigrants. ... Tiger form Bando (Thaing) is the art of self-defence. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Eskrima or Escrima refers in a general way to Filipino martial arts. ... Sauki Muay Thai (IPA: [/muai32 32/]; Thai: ) (Thai Boxing) is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia (where it is known as Pradal Serey), Malaysia (where it is known as Tomoi) and as a similar style in Myanmar...

The practice of Indian clubs swinging was first introduced to England by British soldiers who had studied the discipline while stationed in India during the 1800s. The Indian clubs were used by military cadets and appeared as a gymnastic event in the 1904 Olympics. Gymnasiums were built just to cater to club exercise groups. ^{[32][33][34][35][36][37]} Indian Clubs are a category of exercise equipment popular in the late 19th and early 20th century in the United States. ... At the 1904 Summer Olympics, twelve gymnastics events were contested. ...

The Indian wrestling form of Pehlwani has influenced both catch wrestling and it's derivative system of shoot wrestling. Karl Istaz travelled to India to train with Indian wrestlers and incorporated their training methods in shoot wrestling. Wrestlers like Yoshiaki Fujiwara^[38] have applied these methods to train shoot wrestlers around the world.^[39][40] Pehlwani Maruti Mane, winner of the Hind-Kesari title of India and 1970 British Commonwealth Games silver medalist in wrestling Modern Indian wrestling, or Pehlwani (Devanagari: पहलवानी), is a synthesis of an indigenous Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to at least the 5th century BC [1] and... Catch wrestling is a popular style of wrestling with origins in a variety of styles, most notably those of Lancashire, England, collar-and-elbow, and catch-as-catch-can (which is the immediate source of its name). ... Shootfighting Shoot wrestling is a general term that describes a range of hybrid fighting systems originating in Japan in the late 1970s, in close association with Japanese professional wrestling. ... Karl Istaz (born in 1924) is a German professional wrestler who is best known by his ring name Karl Gotch. ... Yoshiaki Fujiwara applying the Fujiwara armbar Yoshiaki Fujiwara (藤原喜明 Fujiwara Yoshiaki) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE, and UWF. // Career Fujiwara was the first graduate of the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo (Mr. ...

India has also influenced the Portuguese martial art of Jogo do Pau. Tamil immigrants to Malaysia brought with them the staff fighting art Silambam.^[41][42] Jogo do Pau. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Russian officials travelled to India, under the employ of NKVD physical training center, "Dinamo", to observe its native matial arts. The collection of techniques from martial arts of various countries — including India — formed the basis of the Russian martial art Sambo.^[43][44] This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Dinamo, also Dynamo, (Russian and Ukrainian: , Belarusian: Дына́ма) was the oldest sports and physical training society of the Soviet Union, created in 1923. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Doshin So mentions the Shaolin murals of Indian and Chinese monks sparring together for spirtual edification as his main inspiration for the creation of Shorinji Kempo.^{[45][46][47][48]} Shorinji Kempo (少林寺拳法 Shōrinji Kenpō -- note that the World Shorinji Kempo Organization prefers the Romanization kempo to kenpo) is a martial art form of Kempo that was invented by Doshin So (宗 道臣, 1911-1980) in 1947, who incorporated Japanese Zen Buddhism into the fighting style. ...

Jasmine simhalan performing silambam and kalaripayatt

In addition, modern martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu credit India as a founding influence on their fighting principles.^{[49][50][51][52][53][54]} Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ), is a martial art that was developed in Brazil by the Gracie family during the mid-20th century. ...

References

The University of Wisconsin–Madison (also known as UW–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin, or UW) is a selective public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin. ... Manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra The (Devanagari: ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the . ... John Will is a notable martial artist from Australia. ... Royler Gracie (pronounced Hoy-lur) (December 6, 1965-) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter. ...

External links

• The Stableford Martial Arts Resource Site

See also

• Martial arts
• Combat sports