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 - Thang-Ta - 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 - Khanda - Marmam - Ayurveda - Sri Lankan martial arts - Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts

The Indian subcontinent is home to a variety of martial arts. Pehlwani ( Hindi: पहलवानी Urdu: پہلوانی or Kushti ( Hindi: कुश्ती Urdu: کشتی which come from Kalarippayattu or kalaripayattu ( Malayalam കളരിപയറ്റ് kaɭəɾipːajətːɨ̆ is a Martial art with origins in Kerala Mallayuddha (literally "wrestling combat" Devanagari: मल्लयुद्ध is the classical Indian martial art of wrestling. History The martial art of Vajra Mushti was described in the Buddharata Sutra, written in the 5th century CE The forms of wrestling and striking described The chakram ( Devanāgarī: चक्रम is a throwing Weapon that was used by the ancient Indians it is a flat Metal disc with a sharp outer Kabaddi (sometimes written Kabbadi or Kabadi) (கபடி otherwise known as சடுகுடுకబడ్డీ ਕਬੱਡੀ कबड्डी कबड्डीکبڈی For the Tamil language Feature film see Silambattam. Silambam (சிலம்பம் or Silambattam (சிலம்பாட்டம் Gatka ਗਤਕਾ gatkā (Meaning one whose freedom belongs to grace, is a defensive and offensive Sikh martial art associated with the Sikhs Thang-Ta is most popular Meetei Martial arts in Manipur. The literal translation of Thang-ta in the Manipuri language is Swords and This is a list of Martial arts, broken down by region and style The "Great" Gama (c1880 - 22nd May 1953 or 21st May 1960? also known as Rustam-e-zaman Gama Pahelvan and Lion of the Punjab Phillip Zarrilli is a notable practitioner of the Indian martial arts of Kalarippayattu and Marma Adi. Jasmine Simhalan (born 13 November, 1970 in Chennai India) is a 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. Imam Baksh was a renowed wrestler and a practitioner of the Indian wrestling style of Pehlwani. Gulam was an Indian practitioner of Pehlwani. Gulam participated in early Catch wrestling tournaments in Europe. Guru Har Gobind (ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ also Sacha Padshah (ਸੱਚਾ ਪਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ True King John Will (born) is a notable martial artist from Australia. Will won gold in the first World Silat Championships held in Jakarta in 1982 the Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय kṣatriya from क्षत्र kṣatra) is one of the four varnas (social orders in Hinduism Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Dravidian martial arts have been practiced by Dravidian peoples in South India and northeastern Sri Lanka since the Sangam period For the sword described in Indian legend see Khadga The Khanda (from Khadga, literally meaning 'sword' in Sanskrit) is Marmam are pressure points of the human body in Indian martial arts in general and Dravidian martial arts in particular Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other There are 2 styles of martial arts native to Sri Lanka these are Cheena di and Angampora. Theories of the origins of Asian martial arts range from the highly Diffusionist to models which show greater recognition of independent invention This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia. Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for Combat. Dhanurveda (from dhanus "bow" and veda "knowledge") is the term for the "science of archery" in Puranic literature, later applied to martial arts in general. Archery is the practice of using a bow or Crossbow to shoot Arrows Archery has historically been used in Hunting and Combat and has For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times"

Martial arts of the Indian subcontinent are diverse in nature and have origins of different times from various different regions. Some of the older traditions include the organised martial systems practiced by the Kshatriya warrior caste of Hinduism. Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय kṣatriya from क्षत्र kṣatra) is one of the four varnas (social orders in Hinduism Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. These systems include armed and unarmed combat, and aspects such as meditation and mental conditioning. Many ancient Hindu temples have statues of deities and warriors in various postures related to combat. A Hindu temple or Mandir ( Sanskrit: मंदिर is a house of worship for Hindus followers of Hinduism. See also List of deities A deity is a Postulated Preternatural or Supernatural Being, who is always A number of ancient 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 Kalarippayattu (way of the arena) and Adithada (attack and defend) in Kerala. Dravidian martial arts have been practiced by Dravidian peoples in South India and northeastern Sri Lanka since the Sangam period South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union Kuttu Varisai (Empty Hand Combat (குத்துவரிசை is an Indian martial art practiced in Tamil Nadu, South India and in Northeastern Varma Kalai (also called Varmam) (வர்மக்கலை meaning " the art of vital points " is an ancient martial art which has its origins Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Kalarippayattu or kalaripayattu ( Malayalam കളരിപയറ്റ് kaɭəɾipːajətːɨ̆ is a Martial art with origins in Kerala Adithada ( Malayalam:അടി തട, Tamil:அடிதட ( Adi means hitting and thada means block) is a Martial art Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; ^[1]

The theories behind Yoga, Ayurveda and Tantra, such as Kundalini (coiled energy), Prana (life force), Nadi (meridians), Chakra (aura) and Marmam (pressure points), are also present in Indian martial arts. Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र; " Weave " denoting continuity) tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric Kundalini (kuṇḍalinī sa कुण्डलिनी Sanskrit, literally "coiled" Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" Chakra ( Pali: chakka Tibetan: khorlo Malay: cakera is a Sanskrit term meaning Circle or Wheel Marmam are pressure points of the human body in Indian martial arts in general and Dravidian martial arts in particular

History

Further information: Military history of India

Antiquity (pre-Gupta)

The Indian epics contain accounts of combat, describing warriors such as Bhima. India has a long military history dating back several millennia Indian epic poetry is the Epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent. In the Mahābhārata, Bhima ( Sanskrit: भीम IAST: Bhīma was the second of the Pandava brothers The Mahabharata describes a prolonged battle between Arjuna and Karna using bows, swords, trees and rocks, and fists. Arjuna or Arjun ( Sanskrit: अर्जुन arjuna) is one of the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, whose name Karna ( Sanskrit: कर्ण written Karṇa in IAST transliteration is one of the central characters of the Mahābhārata. ^[2] Another unarmed battle in the Mahabharata describes two fighters boxing with clenched fists and fighting with kicks, finger strikes, knee strikes and headbutts. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, In the context of Unarmed combat or Melee, a punch is "a thrusting blow esp In Martial arts, Combat sports or Violence, a kick is a strike using the Foot, leg, or Knee (also known as a knee A knee strike (commonly referred to simply as a knee) is a strike with the Knee, either with the Kneecap or the surrounding area A headbutt is a strike with the head typically involving the use of robust parts of the Cranium as areas of impact ^[3] Other boxing fights are also described in Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki ^[4]

Stories describing Krishna report that he sometimes engaged in wrestling matches where he used knee strikes to the chest, punches to the head, hair pulling, and strangleholds. Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari kṛṣṇa in IAST, ˈkr̩ʂɳə in classical Sanskrit is a deity worshiped across many traditions of Hinduism A knee strike (commonly referred to simply as a knee) is a strike with the Knee, either with the Kneecap or the surrounding area A chokehold or stranglehold (in Budo referred to as shime-waza, 絞技 "constriction technique" is a Grappling hold that ^[5] Based on such accounts, Svinth (2002) traces press ups and squats used by Indian wrestlers to the pre-classical era. ^[5]

Although, many authorities contend that the 4th century B. C. conquest of India by Alexander the Great laid the foundation of Indian martial arts by dispersing pankration techniques throughout the subcontinent, however this is debatable. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' Pankration (Παγκράτιο(ν Pagkratio(n,) is a Martial arts sport introduced to the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and ^[6][7] Notable figures, such as Tatsuo Suzuki, Hirokazu Kanazawa, and Masutasu Oyama have pointed out the influence of Pankration on Indian martial arts. (b 1931 is a world renowned Shotokan Karate instructor He is currently the Chief instructor and President of Shotokan Karate-do International Federation, an Pankration (Παγκράτιο(ν Pagkratio(n,) is a Martial arts sport introduced to the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and ^[8]

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. Patañjali ( Devanāgarī पतञ्जलि (fl 150 BCE or 2nd c This is an article about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali For general information on sutras see Sutra. A mudrā ( Sanskrit: मुद्रा lit "seal" is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. Yogācāra (Sanskrit "yoga practice" "one whose practice is yoga" Chinese Yüjiazong "Yoga School" 瑜珈宗 is an influential school of Eastern Philosophy These Yoga elements, as well as finger movements in the nata dances, were later incorporated into various martial arts. Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the ^[5]

The word "kalari" is mentioned in Sangam literature from the 2nd century BC. Kalari is the Malayalam word for the kind of gymnasium where Kalarippayattu, a martial art from Kerala, is practiced Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 300 BCE and 600 CE 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 ancient Tamil country, also known as Tamilakam, refers to an ancient independent region in the areas of modern South India, corresponding roughly For the Tamil language Feature film see Silambattam. Silambam (சிலம்பம் or Silambattam (சிலம்பாட்டம் The word "kalari" appears in the Puram ^[9] and Akam ^[10] to describe to both a battlefield and combat arena.

The references to "Silappadikkaram" in Sangam literature dating back to the 2nd century refer to the sale of Silamabam staves, swords, pearls and armor to foreign traders. The silambam staff was one of the martial art weapons, which was in great demand with the visitors. ^[11][12]

References to martial arts are found in early Buddhist texts. Buddhist texts can be categorized in a number of ways The Western terms "scripture" and "canonical" are applied to Buddhism in inconsistent ways by Western scholars The Lotus Sutra (ca. The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit sa सद्धर्मपुण्डरीकसूत्र Saddharma 1st century AD) refers to a boxing art while speaking to Manjusri. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, Manjusri ( Ch: ^[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. In the context of Unarmed combat or Melee, a punch is "a thrusting blow esp Grappling refers to the gripping handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking, typically through the application of various Grappling holds A throw (in Japanese martial arts referred to as nage-waza, 投げ技 "throwing technique" is a Martial arts term for a Grappling ^[15] Another early Buddhist sutra Hongyo-kyo describes a "strength contest" between Gautama Buddha's half-brother Prince Nanda and his cousin Devadatta. Prince Nanda, was the younger half-brother of the Buddha He shared the same father as the Buddha King Śuddhodana and his mother Mahapajapati Gotami, was Devadatta (देवदत्‍त was a Buddhist monk as well as the cousin of Gautama Buddha, who was recorded as having created a schism in the Sangha ^[13] Other stories suggest that Siddhartha Gautama was a champion of martial arts and archery before becoming the Buddha. ^[5]

The Vishnu Purana text describes Dhanur Veda as one of the traditional eighteen branches of knowledge. ^[2]

Classical period (3rd to 9th centuries)

Like other branches of Sanskrit literature, treatises on martial arts become more systematic in the course of the 1st millennium AD. Literature in Sanskrit begins with the Vedas, and continues with the Sanskrit Epics of Iron Age India; the golden age of Classical

The martial art of Vajra Mushti is also mentioned in sources of the early centuries CE. History The martial art of Vajra Mushti was described in the Buddharata Sutra, written in the 5th century CE The forms of wrestling and striking described ^[13] Indian military accounts of the Gupta Empire (c. The Gupta Empire ( Hindi: गुप्त राजवंश was ruled by members of the Gupta dynasty from around 320 to 550 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. The Kama Sutra ( Sanskrit: कामसूत्र (alternative spellings Kamasutram or simply Kamasutra) is an ancient Indian Mallanaga Vātsyāyana is the name of an Indian philosopher in the Vedic tradition who lived some time in the Gupta period ( 4th to 6th For other uses of the word staff see Staff. A staff is a large thick Stick or stick-shaped object used to help with Walking A bow is a Weapon that projects arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow An arrow is a pointed Projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most Cultures. " Around this time, Tantric philosophers developed important metaphysical concepts such as kundalini energy, chakras, and mantras. Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र; " Weave " denoting continuity) tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric Kundalini (kuṇḍalinī sa कुण्डलिनी Sanskrit, literally "coiled" Chakra ( Pali: chakka Tibetan: khorlo Malay: cakera is a Sanskrit term meaning Circle or Wheel A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language ^[5]

The Sushruta Samhita (c. The Sushruta Samhita is a Sanskrit text on Surgery, attributed to Sushruta, (6th century BCE the "father of Surgery" 4th century) identifies 107 vital points of the human body in his Sushruta Samhita. ^[16] Of these 107 points, 64 were classified as being lethal if properly struck with a fist or stick. In the context of Unarmed combat or Melee, a punch is "a thrusting blow esp For other uses of the word staff see Staff. A staff is a large thick Stick or stick-shaped object used to help with Walking ^[5] 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. Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other Varma Kalai (also called Varmam) (வர்மக்கலை meaning " the art of vital points " is an ancient martial art which has its origins ^[5] 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. ^[17]

Martial arts were not exclusive to the Kshatriya warrior caste, though they used the arts more extensively. Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय kṣatriya from क्षत्र kṣatra) is one of the four varnas (social orders in Hinduism 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). Brahmin ( Brāhmaṇa, sa ब्राह्मणः is the class of educators scholars and preachers in Brahminical Hinduism. South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area Etymology and ethnology The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang "^[2]

Around 630, King Narasimhavarman of the Pallava dynasty commissioned dozens of granite sculptures showing unarmed fighters disarming armed opponents. Narasimhavarman I ( Tamil: முதலாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled South India Origins See also Origin of Pallava The exact origin of the Pallavas is shrouded in mystery 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. Varma Kalai (also called Varmam) (வர்மக்கலை meaning " the art of vital points " is an ancient martial art which has its origins In Martial arts, Combat sports or Violence, a kick is a strike using the Foot, leg, or Knee (also known as a knee An elbow strike (commonly referred to as simply an " elbow " is a strike with the point of the elbow the part of the forearm nearest to the elbow or This is similar to the Dhanur Veda martial art described in the Agni Purana. ^[5]

The earliest extant manual of Dhanur Veda is in the Agni Purana (c. Agni Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text contains descriptions and details of various incarnations ( Avatars of Vishnu 8th century),^[17] 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. ^[18] 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. ^[5] The former included the bow and arrow, the sword, spear, noose, armour, iron dart, club, battle axe, discus, and the trident. A bow is a Weapon that projects arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow An arrow is a pointed Projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most Cultures. This is an article about a particle accelerator For uses of spear, see Spear or Spear (disambiguation. A noose is a loop at the end of a rope in which the Knot slides to make the loop collapsible Armour (or armor) is protective covering most commonly manufactured from metals to prevent damage from being inflicted to an individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact Darts are missile Weapons designed to fly such that a sharp often weighted point will strike first A club (also known as cudgel, baton, truncheon, night stick, and bludgeon) is among the simplest of all weapons A trident (ˈtrаɪdənt also called a leister or gig, is a three- pronged Spear. ^[2] The latter included wrestling, knee strikes, and punching and kicking methods. Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two people in which each wrestler strives to get an advantage over or control of the opponent A knee strike (commonly referred to simply as a knee) is a strike with the Knee, either with the Kneecap or the surrounding area In the context of Unarmed combat or Melee, a punch is "a thrusting blow esp In Martial arts, Combat sports or Violence, a kick is a strike using the Foot, leg, or Knee (also known as a knee ^[5]

Middle Ages (10th to 15th centuries)

Further information: Origins of Kalarippayattu and Malla-yuddha

Martial are associated with avatars such as Balarama in the Puranas (17th century mural of Balarama from a wall hanging in South Indian temple)

Organised martial arts in ancient India include the martial art of Malla-yuddha, a form of combat wrestling codified into four forms,^[19] The Malla Purana (ca. Origins The word " Kalari " and ancient martial arts that may have been precursors to kalarippayattu are mentioned in Sangam literature from the 2nd Mallayuddha (literally "wrestling combat" Devanagari: मल्लयुद्ध is the classical Indian martial art of wrestling. Avatar or Avatara (अवतार IAST Avatāra) is often inaccurately translated into English as incarnation Balarama (बलराम Balarāma) also named Baladeva, Baldau, Balabhadra and Halayudha, is the elder brother of the divine For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" Mallayuddha (literally "wrestling combat" Devanagari: मल्लयुद्ध is the classical Indian martial art of wrestling. Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two people in which each wrestler strives to get an advantage over or control of the opponent 13th century) is the earliest treatise discussing the techniques of Malla-yuddha.

The modern forms of Marma Adi, Varma Ati,^[5] and Kalarippayattu were developed by the 11th century, during an extended period of warfare between the Chera and Chola dynasties. Varma Kalai (also called Varmam) (வர்மக்கலை meaning " the art of vital points " is an ancient martial art which has its origins Kalarippayattu or kalaripayattu ( Malayalam കളരിപയറ്റ് kaɭəɾipːajətːɨ̆ is a Martial art with origins in Kerala History In early Tamil literature the great Chera rulers are referred to as Cheral Kuttuvan Irumporai Kollipurai and Athan ^[20]

Modern period (1857 to present)

Rajput warriors, ca. Rajput constitute one of the major Hindu Kshatriya groups from India 1860.

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. ^[17] 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. ^[20] The British colonial government banned kalarippayattu in 1804 in response to a series of revolts. ^[21]

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. ^[20]

During the period, Indian wrestling became prominent in western catch wrestling tournaments. Catch wrestling is a style of Wrestling. Catch wrestling is arguably the ancestor of modern Grappling, Professional wrestling, Mixed martial arts ^{[22][23][24][25][26]}

Indian weapons

The khanda, a straight sword as opposed to the Persian-influenced curved talwar, is a classical Indian weapon

See also: Category:Indian mêlée weapons, Category:South Asian swords, and Category:Weapons in Hindu mythology

According to P C Chakravati in The Art of War in Ancient India, Indian armies used standard weapons such as wooden or metal tipped spears, swords, thatched bomboo shields, wooden shields, metal shields, axes, short bows and long bows in warfare as early as the invasion of India by the forces of Alexander of Macedon, and these weapons are all mentioned in even earlier native texts. For the sword described in Indian legend see Khadga The Khanda (from Khadga, literally meaning 'sword' in Sanskrit) is A talwar, talwaar, or tulwar is a type of Sword, equivalent to the European Sabre (or Saber) originating in medieval South This is an article about a particle accelerator For uses of spear, see Spear or Spear (disambiguation. A shield is a protective device meant to intercept attacks The term often refers to a device that is held in the hand as opposed to Armour or a Bullet proof vest The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape split and cut Wood, Harvest timber, as a Weapon A bow is a Weapon that projects arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow Alexander of Macedon may refer to Alexander I of Macedon (d 454 BC ruled from 498-454 BC Alexander II of Macedon (d Some troops in ancient times wore personal armor, but the majority did not until medieval times. Armed forces were largely standardised, and it is unclear if regular infantry were trained in any recognisable Indian martial art, other than standard military drills. Over time, weapondary evolved, and India became famed for its flexible wootz steel. Wootz is a Steel characterized by a pattern of bands or sheets of micro Carbides within a tempered Martensite or Pearlite matrix Invasion in the 13th century from the pourous northwestern mountain passes that lead from Cerntal Asia and the Middle East into India, likely inspired new forms of weapondary, such as the talwar, a curved blade resembling Persian and Turkic arms. A talwar, talwaar, or tulwar is a type of Sword, equivalent to the European Sabre (or Saber) originating in medieval South Curved blades had been used in India since ancient times, some even curved toward the cutting side like a sickle, but before the introduction of the talwar, the stright khanda type sword may have enjoyed greater popularity. A sickle is a hand-held Agricultural Tool with a curved Blade typically used for harvesting grain crop or cutting grass for Hay. Martial artists, typically coming from warrior jatis, employed other uniquely weapons such as the katar sword-gauntlet and urumi sword-whip. A katar ( Devanāgarī: कटार also known as a Bundi Dagger, is a type of short punching Sword that is native to the Indian subcontinent The urumi (ഉരുമി or Surul Pattai (Tamil is a long Sword made of flexible Steel, sharp enough to cut into flesh but flexible enough to be rolled

Influence of Indian martial arts

Further information: Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts

See also: Bodhidharma, Shaolin Kung fu, and the disputed India connection

Jasmine simhalan performing silambam and kalaripayatt

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. Theories of the origins of Asian martial arts range from the highly Diffusionist to models which show greater recognition of independent invention Theories of the origins of Asian martial arts range from the highly Diffusionist to models which show greater recognition of independent invention Indosphere is a subgrouping of Tibeto-Burman languages as defined by linguist James Matisoff, which includes languages that are typologically and morphologically The culture of India has been shaped by the long History of India, its unique geography and the absorption of customs traditions and ideas from some of its neighbors Examples of such arts include Bando,^[27] Silat,^[28][29] Escrima,^[30] and Muay Thai. ecriture bando asiajpg|50px]] ( Burma:) a Self-defense Martial art from Burma. Silat is an umbrella term used to describe the martial art forms practiced throughout the Malay Archipelago. " Eskrima " or " Escrima " refers to a class of Filipino Martial Arts that emphasize stick and sword fighting Muay Thai ( IPA: /muɑɪtʰɑɪ/ muāitʰāi มวยไทย lit ^[31][32]

The Tamil kingdoms were instrumental in the spread of Silambam throughout Southeast Asia. For the Tamil language Feature film see Silambattam. Silambam (சிலம்பம் or Silambattam (சிலம்பாட்டம் During the 18th and the 19th centuries Silambam was much more prevalent in Southeast Asia than in India, where it was banned by the British government. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar ^[33]

India has also influenced the Portuguese martial art of Jogo do Pau. Jogo do Pau ("stick fencing" or literally "stick (or staff game" is a Portuguese Martial art which developed in the northern regions of ^[34][35]

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. Indian clubs belong to a category of Exercise (and Juggling) equipment that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century in The Indian clubs were used by military cadets and appeared as a gymnastic event in the 1904 Olympics. At the 1904 Summer Olympics, eleven Gymnastics events were contested all for men only Gymnasiums were built just to cater to club exercise groups. ^{[36][37][38][39][40][41]}

Russian officials travelled to India, under the employ of NKVD physical training center, "Dinamo", to observe its native martial arts. The NKVD ( НКВД, ru Народный Комиссариат Внутренних Дел ''Narodnyy Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del'') or People's Commissariat Dinamo, also Dynamo, (Динамо Belarusian: Дына́ма was the oldest Sports and Physical training society of the Soviet Union The collection of techniques from martial arts of various countries — including India — formed the basis of the Russian martial art Sambo. Sambo (самбо—also called Sombo or Cambo and sometimes written in all-caps is a modern Martial art, combat sport and Self-defense V. A. Spiridinov was assigned to Mongolia, China and India to research the Mongol-Vedic martial arts. Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Vedic Period (or Vedic Age) is the period in the History of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, were being ^[42]

The Indian wrestling form of Pehlwani has influenced both catch wrestling and it's derivative system of shoot wrestling. Pehlwani ( Hindi: पहलवानी Urdu: پہلوانی or Kushti ( Hindi: कुश्ती Urdu: کشتی which come from Catch wrestling is a style of Wrestling. Catch wrestling is arguably the ancestor of modern Grappling, Professional wrestling, Mixed martial arts Shoot wrestling is a Combat sport and a general term that describes a range of Hybrid fighting systems originating Karl Istaz applied the training methods of Indian wrestlers to shoot wrestling; this philosophy was later passed on to several of his students. Karl Istaz ( August 3 1924 - July 28, 2007) was a Professional wrestler and trainer born in Antwerp, Belgium, ^[43][44][45]

Doshin So, the founder of Shorinji Kempo, was convinced that a Shaolin temple wall painting depicted Chinese and Indian monks practicing martial arts together for spiritual edification. —note that the World Shorinji Kempo Organization prefers the Romanization kempo to kenpo —is a Martial art form of Kempo that was founded ^[46][47]

In addition, modern martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu credit India as a founding influence on their fighting principles. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ( BJJ) is a Martial art and Combat sport that focuses on Grappling and especially Ground fighting with the goal ^{[48][49][50][51][52][53]}

See also

• Martial arts
• Combat sports

References

External links

• All India Silambam Federation of India
• [ENS KALARI] A unqiue mixture of southern(thekkan) and northern(vadakkan) kalaripayattu can be experienced at the ENS kalari, nettoor, ernakulam, kerala, india. Kalarippayattu or kalaripayattu ( Malayalam കളരിപയറ്റ് kaɭəɾipːajətːɨ̆ is a Martial art with origins in Kerala