India’s Ancient Martial Traditions: More Than Just Yoga
When we think of ancient physical practices from India, Yoga often comes to mind. But India’s rich cultural heritage also includes a long history of martial arts, developed for self-defense, warfare, and holistic well-being. These arts, often practiced by warriors and common folk alike, integrated physical fitness with mental discipline and spiritual growth.
Silambam, Thang Ta, Gatka, Mardani Khel and Kalaripayattu
While some of these martial arts are still practiced today, many remain lesser-known, even to the Indian diaspora. Let’s dive into 11 fascinating Indian martial arts that reveal an entirely different side of India’s ancient traditions.
1. Kalaripayattu
Often regarded as one of the oldest martial arts in the world, Kalaripayattu originated in Kerala over 3,000 years ago. Known for its fluid, acrobatic movements and training with weapons like swords, spears, and shields, Kalaripayattu emphasizes agility, flexibility, and balance. But it’s not just a fighting style—this martial art incorporates Ayurvedic healing and meditation practices, highlighting the deep connection between the body and mind.
Kalaripayattu is believed to have influenced other global martial arts, especially in China. Legends tell of Bodhidharma, an Indian monk, traveling to China and introducing the physical training that may have later contributed to Shaolin Kung Fu.
2. Varma Kalai
This ancient Tamil martial art, Varma Kalai, focuses on vital points (or “varma points”) in the body, allowing practitioners to control, incapacitate, or even kill an opponent by targeting specific areas. Often referred to as the art of “hidden” pressure points, it’s a blend of martial techniques and healing practices, including herbal remedies and massages.
The origins of Varma Kalai are often linked to the legendary sage Agastya, and its influence can be seen in other Southeast Asian martial arts, which also focus on pressure points for combat and healing.
3. Silambam
A martial art originating in Tamil Nadu over 2,000 years ago, Silambam centers around the use of a bamboo staff. With its fluid movements and emphasis on footwork, timing, and balance, Silambam trains practitioners in a variety of strikes, blocks, and joint locks. It’s not just a method of combat—Silambam incorporates elements of dance and music, deeply embedded in Tamil culture.
Silambam’s techniques focus on agility and swift movement, making it a versatile form that can be adapted to other martial systems across the world.
4. Gatka
Gatka is a weapon-based martial art from the Punjab region, closely associated with Sikh warriors. Developed during the times of the Sikh Gurus, especially Guru Gobind Singh, Gatka emphasizes swordsmanship, stick fighting, and the spiritual values of humility, courage, and discipline.
Today, Gatka is often performed at festivals and religious ceremonies, combining martial prowess with traditional Punjabi music and dance.
5. Mardani Khel
Originating from Maharashtra, Mardani Khel is a traditional martial art practiced by the Maratha warriors. Known for its use of swords, spears, and daggers, Mardani Khel emphasizes speed, strength, and agility. The Maratha king Shivaji was one of its most famous practitioners, using this art to train his soldiers.
The movements of Mardani Khel are said to be inspired by the behavior of animals like lions and snakes, and efforts are currently underway to revive this important part of Maratha heritage.
6. Thang Ta
Hailing from Manipur, Thang Ta is a combination of armed (sword and spear) and unarmed combat techniques. This ancient art was used by Manipuri warriors and is still performed today as part of Manipuri culture. Thang Ta emphasizes fluidity, grace, and speed, focusing on the perfect synchronization of body and weapon.
Similar to other Southeast Asian martial arts, Thang Ta places a strong emphasis on fluid movement and rhythm.
7. Malla Yuddha
Malla Yuddha is an ancient form of Indian wrestling, practiced since Karnataka‘s earliest days. The focus is on grappling, throwing, and pinning the opponent to the ground using strength and technique. Historically, it was a popular form of combat training for warriors but later evolved into a sport.
Malla Yuddha has many similarities with wrestling forms around the world, such as Greco-Roman wrestling, and remains a part of India’s rich wrestling culture today.
8. Vajra Mushti
This rare and ancient martial art from India’s northwest uses a unique weapon called a vajra mushti—a knuckle-duster-like device that can deliver powerful blows. Practitioners combine hand-to-hand combat with this lethal weapon, making it a feared art in ancient times.
Vajra Mushti was traditionally practiced by warriors, and its emphasis on strength and speed makes it one of the more intimidating Indian martial traditions.
9. Pari Khanda
A lesser-known martial art from Bihar, Pari Khanda focuses on sword and shield combat. It was once used by Bihari soldiers in ancient warfare and continues to be practiced alongside traditional folk dance forms in the region. The fluid movements of Pari Khanda are as much about coordination as they are about combat.
This art combines elements of dance and martial training, highlighting the unique blend of culture and combat in India’s martial history.
10. Inbuan Wrestling
An ancient martial tradition from Mizoram, Inbuan involves leg tripping and the use of acrobatic moves to gain control of an opponent. With a focus on balance and grappling, this form of wrestling is still practiced today and is closely associated with local festivals and ceremonies.
Inbuan’s unique rules, such as prohibiting body twisting, make it an intriguing form of traditional combat in India.
11. Pehlwani
A hybrid form of wrestling, Pehlwani was influenced by the Persian martial art Koshti and is practiced in India’s northern regions. Pehlwani combines the grappling techniques of traditional Indian wrestling with Persian methods, creating a formidable style that is still taught in akhadas (wrestling arenas) across India.
Pehlwani remains one of the most famous Indian wrestling forms, deeply integrated into both sport and culture.
Other Lesser-Known Martial Arts of India
India is home to several other martial arts, many of which are lesser-known or have faded over time. These arts, though no longer widely practiced, remain an important part of India’s rich cultural and martial heritage.
- Huyen Langlon: A traditional martial art from Assam, combining unarmed combat with weapons like swords, spears, and sticks. It shares similarities with Thang Ta.
- Mukna: A 500-year-old form of wrestling from Assam that blends grappling and striking techniques, traditionally practiced by the Meitei community.
- Buroi Chikhong: A stick-fighting style from Assam using bamboo sticks, practiced by the Karbi and Dimasa communities during festivals.
- Lathi Khela: Practiced across India, this martial art uses long bamboo sticks for self-defense.
- Ghatta Kala: A Jat martial art from Uttar Pradesh using short sticks and shields, focusing on strikes, blocks, and joint locks.
- Marma Adi: From Tamil Nadu, this art blends Kalaripayattu and Varma Kalai, emphasizing pressure points and internal energy.
- Adimurai: A 2,000-year-old martial art from Tamil Nadu that combines hand-to-hand combat, grappling, and weapon training.
- Cheruvadi: A weapon-based art from Kerala, similar to Kalaripayattu but focused more on combat.
- Nati: A martial art from Himachal Pradesh, focused on unarmed combat and self-defense, influenced by Kalaripayattu.
- Kusti: Traditional Indian wrestling, popular in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, featuring grappling and submission techniques.
Although many of these arts are no longer widely practiced, they highlight the incredible diversity of India’s martial traditions.
Conclusion: India’s Rich Martial Legacy
India’s martial traditions are as diverse and vibrant as the country itself. From the acrobatic agility of Kalaripayattu to the precise strikes of Varma Kalai and the grappling prowess of Malla Yuddha, these martial arts are a testament to India’s historical emphasis on physical fitness, mental discipline, and spiritual growth.
Although some of these arts have faded over time, others are making a comeback. As we uncover and celebrate these forgotten traditions, we realize that martial arts in India were not just about combat—they were about living a balanced, disciplined life.