Indian Marital Arts
Indian Marital Arts
Given the diversity of cultures and ethnic groups that inhabit the Indian subcontinent it is not surprising that a range of martial arts have developed there over the centuries. These include both armed as well as unarmed fighting styles of varying sophistication and complexity. The physical and metal conditioning techniques attached to these martial arts ranging from training exercises to meditation are also well developed.
History and development Ancient Indian sculptures and epics depict gods and men engaged in combat during legendary wars. The Great epics Mahabharata and Ramayana refer to martial art of Malla-yuddha (or Mallayuddha), a form of wrestling that included striking, grappling, and joint locking techniques.
According to references in extant Vedic texts (some of which go back four thousand years), epics, and later books, ancient Dhanur Veda was one of the eighteen branches of knowledge and included knowledge relating to combat. Chapters on combat arts in Agni Purana written in eighth century was based was Dhanur Veda. It describes both unarmed and armed fighting on foot, chariots, horses, or elephants. Unarmed fighting included strikes using hands, feet, and knees, and wrestling, while armed fighting instructions dealt with weapons like swords, tridents, battleaxes, spears, clubs, and darts, among others. Art of archery was especially emphasized. Military histories of the period of the Gupta Empire from third to fifth centuries refer to about 130 weapon classes.
Buddharata Sutra written in fifth century refers to Vajra Mushti, a martial art that was purportedly derived from traditions of Hindu warrior caste (Kshatriya). However ancient texts make clear that martial arts were not exclusive to Kshatriyas. There are descriptions of other castes especially Brahmins learning and practicing martial arts.
Other Vedic texts including Rig Veda make references to vital points in the body and ancient Ayurvedic medical texts classify and describe these vital points in detail and refer to the possibility of death if some of them were struck in a certain way. Some of the Indian martial arts that stress attacking and defending vital points were taught with Ayurveda.
Buddhist stories, especially those relating to life of Gautama Buddha before his enlightenment, also describe martial arts practiced by him and his relations. In addition Lotus Sutra refers to a martial art called Nara and classifies martial art techniques into strikes, grappling, joint locks and throwing. Tantric Buddhists developed various concepts like kundalini energy, chakras, etc. that were made use of in some martial arts.
Elements of Yoga derived from Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Yogacara Buddhism, and other elements taken from various dance forms (like movement of fingers in Nata dance) were also integrated into some Indian martial arts
South Indian martial arts
Some of the most intricate and effective martial arts have originated in the Dravidian areas in the south of the subcontinent like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Ancient Sangam literature of South India describes combat using weapon and empty hands using the word Kalari. Pallava sculptures from seventh century depict what can be described as an early form of Dravidian martial art Varma Adi. Evidence indicates that marital arts like Varma Adi, Marma Adi, and Kalarippayattu, were practiced in their modern form in eleventh century. Silambam a martial art involving stick fighting also developed in the South India.
Other developments
Moguls introduced Persian and central Asian Wrestling forms into India which combined with Indian wrestling resulted in Pehlwani.
Sixth guru of the Sikhs Hargobind Sahib introduced the martial art Gatka to his followers during seventeenth century
Colonial rule and the introduction of firearms resulted in a decline of the martial arts as their usefulness in war waned. Some like Kalarippayattu were banned by the British in response to revolts.
Interest in Indian Martial Arts began to revive with the independent movement in India and have since gained many adherents.
Indian Martial Arts have been influential in the development of martial arts in many other countries. Martial arts like Silat, Escrima, Muay Thai in Southeast Asia, Shoot wrestling in Japan, Jogo do Pau in Portugal, Sambo in Russia, Brazilian Ju Jutsu among others show influence of Indian martial arts either due to historical cultural reasons or due to deliberate choice by founders or modern practitioners.