No country in the world has a more diverse culture and ethnicity than India. Martial arts is a part of India’s ancient culture and traditional games and has an important influence on the development of modern Asian martial arts. Originally a traditional form of martial art that started in South India, and now it has different names and different forms in the culture of the regions in India. While these martial art forms were earlier used for warfare, they are now being practiced as rituals, in celebrations, in sports, and as a form of self-defense technique. Here is a list of some of the major martial art forms in India.
Kalaripayattu from Kerala
Kalaripayattu is the oldest martial art form in India that originated more than 2000 years ago in present-day Kerala. Derived from the word Kalari which means a training hall where this art form is taught. Practiced as a self-defense art form, inspired by the rapid movements, raw power, and the graceful strength of animals.
Musti Yuddha from Varanasi
It is unarmed martial art from the middle age originated in the oldest city of India “Varanasi“. Technique used in this martial art are punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes and is a complete art of physical, mental, and spiritual development.
Gatka from Punjab
Gatka is a weapon-based Indian martial art form developed and practiced by the Sikhs. The methods used to attack and defend are based on the positions of the hands, feet, and the nature of the weapons used like a stick, sword, kataar, and kirpan.
Mardani Khel from Maharashtra
Mardani Khel is famous for its use of the Indian sword and corded lance. This traditional martial arts form was created by the Marathas and is practiced mainly in the city of Kolhapur.
Sqay from Kashmir
There are two types of Sqay, where armed Sqay involves a single-edged sword wielded with a shield, while weaponless techniques include punches, kicks, chops, and locks. This martial art form was originally practiced by Kashmiris.
Silambam from Tamil Nadu
Silambam is a stick-martial art and was promoted by the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas in the medieval period. This martial art draws inspiration from animal movements of tiger, eagle, and snake and footwork patterns play a key role.
Paika Akhadha from Odisha
Paika akhada roughly translates as "warrior gymnasium'', is a form of traditional wrestling, Kushti developed during the Mughal Empire. Performed only on Dasara, Performers stand in two rows with wooden swords and shields and approach each other slowly before the tempo of the music increases, at which point they engage in mock combat.
Thang Ta from Manipur
Thang-Ta or Huyen Langlon combines several weapons such as the spear, sword, and the knife with physical control through breathing rhythms and soft coordinated movements. Another aspect of this martial art form known as Sarit Sarak involves unarmed combat.
Sarit Sarak from Manipur
Sarit Sarak is the weaponless version of Thang-ta. This unarmed combat incorporates hand strikes, kicks, and grappling (mukna). Because of Manipur's cultural similarity and geographical proximity, this is closely related to Burmese bando and banshay.
Bandesh
This an empty-handed and almost obscure martial art form of ancient India and was used to maim and defeat, but not kill. Different types of lock holds are utilized against different kinds of weapons like daggers, swords, long staff, etc.
Kathi Samu from Andhra Pradesh
Kathi Samu is an ancient skill that was mastered by the royal armies of Andhra Pradesh. Kathi means sword and Kathi Samu is a martial art that is fighting with swords. The Royal Kings practiced this skill as it was used in wars against their enemies and said to be in existence for over 7000 years even before the Aryan dynasty came into India.
Lathi Khela from Bengal
Lathi is an armed martial art of India which also refers to one of the world’s oldest weapons used in martial arts. The Lathi can be used in many ways to give lethal blows to the opponent and in self-defense by using it as a shield.
Pari Khanda from Odisha
Pari-khanda is a style of martial arts that includes heavy use of sword and shield started in Bihar by the Rajputs. The steps and techniques of Pari-khanda is incorporated in the traditional Chau dance as well.
Huyen Langlon from Manipur
Huyen langlon is an Indian martial art from Manipur which roughly translates as war while langlon or langlong can mean net, knowledge, or art. The primary weapons of Huyen langlon are the thang (sword) and ta (spear) which can be used in its non-missile form while in close or thrown from afar.
Kushti/Pehlwani
Pehlwani is the precursor of modern pehlwani known for its extreme violence, is a form of wrestling developed during the Mughal rule in India with influences from Persian varzesh-e bastani (warrior athletics) and combining native Malla-buddha which is said to have a history of more than 5000 years.
