Martial Art

03 Jul, 2026 Samyak IAS

Origin and Evolution of Martial Arts in India

Early Evidence
- The earliest evidence of martial practices in India is found in the Indus Valley Civilisation.
- Seals showing men using spears and a spear-thrower statue indicate early combat traditions.
- Written references to martial practices appear mainly from the Vedic period.
Vedic Period
- The Dhanurveda, associated with the Yajurveda, refers to martial knowledge, weapons, and warfare techniques.
- The Ramayana and Mahabharata describe armed and unarmed combat using bows, swords, maces, spears, and other weapons.
- Malla-yuddha, or combat wrestling, emerged as one of the earliest organised unarmed fighting traditions.
Classical Period
- Martial arts became more refined with the influence of Yoga, dance, and physical discipline.
- The Sushruta Samhita identified 108 vital points in the human body, of which 64 were considered fatal if struck properly.
- Pallava sculptures depict unarmed fighters disarming armed opponents, showing advanced combat techniques.
- Martial training was not limited to warriors; it was also taught in educational institutions.
- The Gurjara-Pratiharas contributed to martial traditions through texts and practice.
Medieval Period
- Kalaripayattu developed its present form by the 11th century during conflicts between the Chera and Chola dynasties.
- The Malla Purana is one of the earliest texts describing techniques of malla-yuddha.
- The Vijayanagara Empire promoted physical culture, especially wrestling.
- Nobles received training in specialised weapons, fencing, and wrestling.
Mughal Period
- The Mughals patronised Indian martial traditions and recruited skilled fighters, including Rajput warriors.
- The Ain-i-Akbari mentions wrestling, boxing, sword-fighting, and archery at the Mughal court.
- Pehlwani developed by combining Indian malla-yuddha with Persian varzesh-e bastani traditions.
- Naga warrior-ascetics practised armed martial traditions for religious and community protection.
Maratha Period
- The Marathas were known for swords, spears, and guerrilla warfare.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was skilled in swordsmanship and traditional weapons.
- Mardani Khel became an important Maratha martial tradition.
- The Maratha Light Infantry, with origins in 1768, is among the oldest regiments of the Indian Army.
Modern Period
- Indian martial arts declined under British rule due to firearms and European warfare methods.
- Some systems such as Kalaripayattu and Silambam were restricted or banned.
- These traditions were revived during the early 20th-century anti-colonial and cultural revival movements.
- Communities such as the Sikhs continued traditional combat practices through military service.

Major Martial Art Forms in India

Martial Art Form	Region / Origin	Key Features
Kalaripayattu	Kerala and Southern India	One of the oldest martial arts of India. It includes physical exercises, mock duels, footwork, kicks, strikes, weapon training, and ritual-based practices. It also includes techniques such as Maipayattu, Verumkai, Angathari, Puliyankam, and Otta practice.
Silambam	Tamil Nadu	A scientific weapon-based martial art associated with the Pandyas, Cholas, and Cheras. It mainly uses a long bamboo staff for self-defence and mock fighting. Its techniques include swift footwork, thrusting, cutting, chopping, sweeping, and precise body movements.
Thang-ta and Sarit Sarak	Manipur	Thang-ta is an armed martial art of the Meitei people, mainly using sword and spear. Sarit Sarak is its unarmed combat form. Together, they are known as Huyen Langlon and were historically used by Manipuri rulers.
Gatka	Punjab	A Sikh weapon-based martial art that uses weapons such as sticks, kirpan, talwar, and kataar. It focuses on attack, defence, body movement, hand position, and footwork. It is commonly performed during fairs and religious celebrations.
Cheibi Gad-ga	Manipur	An ancient martial art involving sword and shield combat. In its modern form, a soft leather stick is used instead of a sword. The duel is performed within a circular arena, and victory is decided on the basis of points, skill, and strength.
Pari-khanda	Bihar	A sword-and-shield martial art created by Rajputs. The word Pari means shield and Khanda means sword. It is still practised in Bihar and is also reflected in the movements of Chhau dance.
Thoda	Himachal Pradesh	A martial sport linked with archery, culture, and community tradition. It is performed during the Baisakhi festival. Two groups participate, and archers aim below the knee of the opponent, while points are deducted for striking other body parts.
Kuttu Varisai	Tamil Nadu	An unarmed Dravidian martial art also known as empty-hand combat. It develops flexibility, footwork, athletic ability, and breathing control through stretching, yoga, gymnastics, and combat movements. Its techniques include grappling, striking, locking, and animal-based movements.
Musti Yuddha	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh	An unarmed martial art that combines physical, mental, and spiritual discipline. It includes punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes.
Malla Khamb	Madhya Pradesh	A gymnastic and martial art form that combines acrobatics, strength training, balance, and combat discipline. Practitioners perform complex postures on a vertical pole, usually made of Sheesham wood.
Malla Yuddha	Indian Subcontinent	A traditional form of combat wrestling and one of the oldest codified fighting systems in India. It is divided into four forms: Jambuvanti, Hanumanti, Bhimaseni, and Jarasandhi, each focusing on different combat techniques.
Vajra-Mushti	Western India	A martial tradition related to malla-yuddha. It uses a knuckle-duster-like weapon for striking and defence.
Inbuan Wrestling	Mizoram	A traditional wrestling style dating back to around 1750 CE. It follows strict rules, including no stepping outside the circle, no kicking, and no bending of knees. The aim is to lift the opponent off the ground while holding the waist belt.
Lathi	Punjab, Bengal and other parts of India	An ancient stick-fighting martial art. The lathi is usually a cane stick, around 6 to 8 feet long, and is sometimes metal-tipped. It is also used by police forces for crowd control and remains popular in several villages.
Mardani Khel	Maharashtra	A traditional martial art of Maharashtra, especially associated with Kolhapur. It focuses on weapon skills, quick movements, and low stances. It is known for the use of weapons like Patta and Vita, and is associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Sqay	Kashmir	A traditional Kashmiri martial art that uses wooden weapons and graceful, fluid body movements.

Other Martial Art Forms in India

Martial Art Form	Region / Origin	Description
Paika Akhada	Odisha	A traditional martial practice that combines dance, physical training, and combat techniques. Earlier, it was practised by warrior groups for warfare, but today it is mainly performed as a cultural and martial art form.
Kathi Samu	Andhra Pradesh	An ancient martial skill associated with the royal armies of Andhra Pradesh. It mainly focuses on weapon handling, combat discipline, and battlefield training.
Bandesh	Rajasthan	An ancient unarmed martial art that uses different types of lock holds and defensive techniques against an armed opponent. Its objective is to control or disable the opponent without killing them.
Insu Knawr	Mizoram	A traditional martial game played within a circular area. Players use round wooden rods and compete by applying strength, balance, and technique.
Kirip / Saldu	Nicobar Islands	A traditional form of wrestling popular among the Nicobarese tribe. It is also known as Nicobarese wrestling and reflects the physical culture of the community.
Varma Ati	Tamil Nadu	A traditional martial system that focuses on attacking the vital points of the human body. It requires deep knowledge of body pressure points and is closely linked with self-defence techniques.