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 CHAPTER: MARTIAL ARTS IN INDIA
1.! Introduction: Earliest reference of martial arts is found in Dhanurveda (Upaveda of Rigveda)
which deals with the science of archery + Oldest recorded organized unarmed martial art in India
is Malla- yuddha (combat wrestling) + Martial artists need to acquire knowledge of Marma Shastra
(study of vulnerable spots in human body).
2.! Kalaripayattu
•! It is one of the oldest martial art originated during period 200 BC- 200AD; introduced by a
legend, sage Parasurama who built temples.
•! It is practiced presently in the state of Kerala and nearby areas of Tamil Nadu.
•! It includes mock duels (armed and unarmed combat) and physical exercises; It is not
accompanied by any drumming or song.
•! Most important key is footwork which includes kicks, strikes and weapon based practice.
•! This is practiced also by women, Unniyarcha; a legendary heroine won many battles using
this martial art.
•! Techniques: Uzhichil or the massage with Gingli oil, Maipayattu or body exercises,
Puliyankam or sword fight, Verumkai or bare-handed fight etc.
•! It was banned by British colonial rulers.

3.! Silambam
•! It is a weapon-based Indian martial art and a kind of staff fencing from Tamil Nadu.
•! Techniques: Swift movements of the foot, use of thrust, cut, chop, sweep to achieve mastery
& development of force, momentum & precision at different levels of the body.
•! It also used animal movements of the snake, tiger, eagle forms and footwork patterns.
•! Bamboo staff is the primary weapon; involves stick fighting.
•! Kuttu varisai is unarmed variety of Silambam.

4.! Gatka

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 •! It is a weapon-based art form performed by Sikhs of Punjab.
•! Involves skillful use of weapons including stick, kirpan, talwar and kataar.

5.! Musti Yuddha

•! It is an unarmed martial art from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
•! Incorporates development of all three aspects physical, mental and spiritual.
•! It makes proper utilization of punches and elbow strikes; kicks and knee strikes are
comparatively less used in Musti Yuddha, as punches mostly dominate the fight.

6.! Mardani Khel

•! It is weapon-based martial art form popular in Kolhapur region, Maharashtra.
•! Vita (corded lance) and Pata (sword) are weapons used.
•! Focuses primarily on skills of weaponry and swift movements.

7.! Pari Khanda

•! The Rajputs developed this martial art form originated from Bihar.

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 •! Involves fighting using sword and shield.
•! The steps and techniques used in this form also used in Chhau dance.

8.! Malla- Yuddha

•! It is the traditional form of combat-wrestling; first reference found in Mahabharata.
•! It incorporates grappling, joint-breaking, punching, biting, choking and pressure point
•! Closely related to Southeast Asian wrestling styles such as naban.
•! Manasollasa written by Chalukya King Someswara contains its description.
•! It has four variants:
o! Hanumanti: For technical superiority
o! Jambuvanti: Focuses on locking and holding till opponent gives up.
o! Jarasandhi: Breaking limbs and joints
o! Bhimaseni: Focuses on sheer strength

9.! Cheibi gad-ga

•! It is the most ancient martial arts of Manipur.
•! It involves a duel fight; sword and shield used as fighting equipment.
•! Skill rather than brute force declares victory during the competition.

10.!Inbuan
•! It is a popular art form of wrestling originated from village of Dungtland, Mizoram.
•! The contest takes place on a carpet or grass in a circle of 15-feet diameter.
•! Bending of knees and stepping out of marked circle are prohibited.

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11.!Thang-ta
•! It is a popular martial art form from Manipur; also known as Huyen Lallong.
•! Swords and spears are primarily used in it.
•! Sarit Sarak is the weaponless version of Thang-ta.
•! It is practiced in three different ways: Firstly, ritualistic in nature linked with tantric practices,
secondly, the mesmerising performance of sword and sword dances and the actual technique
of fighting.

12.!Thoda
•! It is a martial arts form originated in Kullu region, Himachal Pradesh.
•! The competition involves a mix of culture, sport and martial arts; held on Biashaki day.
•! It relies on a player’s skill of archery and can be dated back to the time of Mahabharata where
bows and arrows were used.
•! Techniques used: Wooden bows, arrows are used

13.!Ranapa Nacha
•! It is a performing martial arts form popular in southern parts of state of Odisha.
•! It is made of wood and attached to legs of paiks to increase their heights.

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14.!Paika Akhada
•! It is an Odia term that means “warrior scholl”.
•! Served as training schools of the peasant militia in Odisha, eastern India
•! Performance art with rhythmic movements and weapons being hit in time to the drum
•! Acrobatic maneuvres and use of the khanda(straight sword), patta(guantlet – sword), sticks
and other weapons
•! Paikas were Khandayats (one who has control over his swords).

15.!Sqay
•! It is a weapon based martial arts form originated in ancient Kashmir.
•! Armed sqay makes use of a curved single-edge sword paired with a shield, or one sword in each hand.
•! Unarmed techniques incorporate kicks, punches, locks and chops. Sqay have different techniques
single sword double sword free hand techniques and lessons of both freehand and sword.
•! It has two events: Combat(Loba) which is one to one and Artistic event which is one without
music.

16.!Kara Kathi Samu

•! It is one of the ancient martial arts of Andhra Pradesh, practiced by the royal armies
•! The place where Kathi Samu is performed is known as ‘garidi.’

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 •! Stick fight known as ‘vairi’ has an important role in Kothi Samu and it is the prelude to the
actual swordfight.
•! ‘Gareja’ in which a participant holds four swords, two in each hand and ‘Dal Farri Khadga’
are other important aspects of the sword skills.
•! It was patronized by Chera, Chola and Pandya kings of south India.

17.!Bandesh
•! It is a weaponless form of martial arts; warriors are empty handed.
•! Fighters aim at maiming and defeating but not killing.

18.!Varma Kalai
•! It is a weaponless form of martial arts practiced by monks in ancient times.
•! It combines disciplined combat, yoga and Ayurveda.
•! It was primarily used for self-defense which targets vital points of human body.

19.!Binot
•! It involves weaponless fighting popular in Madhya Pradesh.
•! Wrestling techniques used against armed as well as unarmed attackers

20.!Saldu
•! Saldu is the prominent sports and form of wrestling of the Nicobarese tribe
•! The field is divided by a line in the centre, and there are no boundary lines
•! The number of players is as desired, but each team is to comprise an equal number of players.

21.!Kirip
•! It is an indigenous form of wrestling quite popular with the Nicobarese tribe
•! The wrestler, using various parts of the body, including the leg, tries to thrust the
opponent to the ground.

22.!Insu Knawr
•! Rod pushing sport is an indigenous game of Mizoram.
•! A circle of 16 ft diameter with a straight line across the circle at the center is drawn.
•! Suk or a wooden rod or bamboo rod shall be approximately 8 ft long and 2.5 – 3 inches in
diameter.

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