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| Modern '''Pehlwani''', or '''Indian wrestling''', is a synthesis of an indigenous Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to the eleventh century CE and a Persian form of wrestling brought into South Asia by the Mughals.<ref>{{cite book | last = Alter | first = Joseph S. | title = The Wrestler's Body: Identity and Ideology in North India | year = 1992 | publisher = University of California Press | location = Berkeley | id = ISBN 0-520-07697-4}}</ref> | |||
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| ⚫ | A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a ''pehlwan'' (also spelled ''pahlwan'' from Persian Pahlavan, champion, literally a Parthian). An expert or master of this art style of wrestling is called a Guru/"Ustad" (great teacher). | ||
| The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomanclature and training methodologies through the ages, the more prominent influences include the introduction of ] nomanclature and ] training methods. | The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomanclature and training methodologies through the ages, the more prominent influences include the introduction of ] nomanclature and ] training methods. | ||
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| *'''Rustam-E-Punjab''' : (also spelled Rustam-I-Punjab) Wrestling Champion of Punjab in Hindustani. Pehalwan SALWINDER SINGH SHINDA becomes six times RUSTAM-E-PUNJAB*'''Rustam-I-Zamana''': World Wrestling Champion in Hindustani. For example, the Great Gama of India became known as Rustam-I-Zamana when he defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1910. | *'''Rustam-E-Punjab''' : (also spelled Rustam-I-Punjab) Wrestling Champion of Punjab in Hindustani. Pehalwan SALWINDER SINGH SHINDA becomes six times RUSTAM-E-PUNJAB*'''Rustam-I-Zamana''': World Wrestling Champion in Hindustani. For example, the Great Gama of India became known as Rustam-I-Zamana when he defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1910. | ||
| *'''Bharat-Kesri''': Best heavyweight wrestler of India in Hindustani. Recent winners include Rajeev Tomar (Railways) and Palwinder Singh Cheema (Punjab police). | *'''Bharat-Kesri''': Best heavyweight wrestler of India in Hindustani. Recent winners include Rajeev Tomar (Railways) and Palwinder Singh Cheema (Punjab police). | ||
| ==References== | |||
| <references/> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 05:18, 24 August 2006
Modern Pehlwani, or Indian wrestling, is a synthesis of an indigenous Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to the eleventh century CE and a Persian form of wrestling brought into South Asia by the Mughals.
A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a pehlwan (also spelled pahlwan from Persian Pahlavan, champion, literally a Parthian). An expert or master of this art style of wrestling is called a Guru/"Ustad" (great teacher).
The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomanclature and training methodologies through the ages, the more prominent influences include the introduction of Persian nomanclature and western training methods.
Dangals (wrestling competitons) are held at village levels and have their own rules which vary from place to place but usually a win is awarded by either a decision from the a panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.
History
Wrestling has been very popular in India from ancient times, however it is unknown as to whether these references referred to Pehlwani or to the generic wrestling. There is the memorable fight between Bhima and Jarasandha narrated in the Mahabharata and the duel between Rustam and Sohrab mentioned in Shahnameh (the Persian book of kings). There is a a great wrestling contest described between Bhima and Jarasandha narrated in the Mahabharata. However, these religious texts describe wrestling only in generic terms and used the termm, malla-yuddha, which is the generic term for "wrestling" in Sanskrit. Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna was a wrestler described in these religious texts. In the Ramayana there is mention of the vanara King Vali, having won against the mighty Ravana, the king of Lanka in a wrestling contest. During Sivaji's regime we hear of his son Sambhaji performing great feats in wrestling and finally tearing a lion with his own hands.
India in the recent past had great wrestlers of the class of Great Gama and Gobar Goho. India reached its peak of glory in the IV Asian Games (later on called Jakarta Games) in 1962 when all the seven wrestlers were placed on the medal list and in between them they bagged 12 medals in Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. A repetition of this performance was witnessed again when all the 8 wrestlers sent to the Commonwealth Games held at Kingston (Jamaica) had the distinction of getting medals for the country.
During the 60’s, India was ranked among the first eight or nine wrestling nations of the world and hosted the world wrestling championships in New Delhi in 1967.
The undefeated champions of India hold the title Rustum-i-Hind title.
Cross training was inevitable even in this ancient dicipline. Pehlwans who compete in wrestling nowadays are also known to cross train in the grappling aspects of Judo and Jujutsu.
Legendary wrestlers from the bygone era eg. Karl Gotch have made tours to India to learn the art of Pehlwani and further hone their skills. Karl Gotch was gifted a pair of "mudgals" (exercise equipment used by the Indian wrestlers) by the Indian wrestlers. The conditioning exercises of Pehlwani are incorporated into many of the conditioning aspects of both catch wrestling and shoot wrestling, alongwith their derivative systems. These systems also borrow several throws, submissions and takedowns from Pehlwani.
Having said that, the popularity of this tradition seems to be withering away. The fabled "milked sand wrestling pits" (20X20 deep stone courtyards, filled with clay and water or milk), which served as the traditional arena for both training and competitions are now giving way to wrestling mats and rings. The wrestlers are pursuing the sport as a hobby and not as a full time profession, and the popular professional wrestling promotions have pushed Pehlwani to the brink of obscurity.
Famous Pehlwans
Olympic Freestyle Wrestlers
- Khasabha Jadhav - 1952 olympic bronze medalist, 1948 olympics 6th place.
Asian Games Freestyle Wrestlers
- Master Chandgiram 1970 Asian games gold medalist is an Indian wrestler who is Known for defeating champions from numerous other disciplines of martial arts.Currently run Chandiram akhara in old delhi.
- Kartar Singh 1978 and 1986 Asian games gold medalist,1982 silver medalist,1980,'84,'88 olympian. currently DSP Punjab police and Director general of sports Punjab.
- Satpal Singh 1982 Asian games gold medalist,1972,'80 olympian currently Director general of sports Delhi.
Italic text====Legendary Indian Wrestlers====
- Great Gama.
The "Great" Gama carries a Gada, the weapon of mythological warriors in Ramayana and Mahabharata - Karim Bux - was the first wrestler to get into world headlines, when he defeated Tom Canon of England in 1892.
- Mama Moti Singh, trainer of Kikkar Singh and Kalloo whom he trained in the unique dog method of wrestling.
- Kikkar Singh - Dev-e-Hind,Known for his phenomenal chest and body.
- Ghulam – accompanied the late Pandit Motilal Nehru to Paris in 1900 and defeated Kader Ali of Turkey to become the world champion.
- Gobar Goho - defeated the legendary hook wrestler Ad Santel in San Francisco in 1922 and became the world champion.
- Ramzi Pahlwan.
- Kalloo.
- Labhu Lohar.
- Rahim Sultaniwala.
- Imam Baksh Pehlwan -The Indian wrestling legend, and the former Rustam-I-Hind as well as the winner of several strength contests in India.
- Viddo - (Sitara-I-Hind).
- Bular.
- Goonga Baliwala.
- Mhani Reniwala.
- Gutta Singh Khakhanwala.
- Hamida Pehlwan – former Rustam-I-Hind and the trainer of the Bholu Brothers.
- Ganda Singh Johal.
- Haider Amritsaria.
- Bholu – He is the eldest son of Imam Baksh Pehlwan. And the eldest among the Pehlwan Brothers.
- Ajit Singh- Indian Wrestler.
- Bholu Brothers- Illustrious Pehlwan Brothers (Bholu , Aslam , Goga , Akram and Azam).
- Akram Pehlwan- the son of the wrestling legend Imam Baksh Pahalwan. He becomes famous for his mixed martial arts match against Antonio Inoki. And he is one of the Bholu Brothers.
- Aslam Pahlwan also trained by Mama Moti Singh.
- Nasir Bholu- Well-known wrestler from the Bholu family.
- Jhara Pehlwan- Real name Zubair , was the son of the famous Aslam Pehlwan.
- Banta Singh Waltoha (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- Santokh singh bahadurnagar (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- Mehardin (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- SALWINDER SINGH SHINDA (Rustam-e-Hind) and Indian national wrestling champion. He is also a four time Chandigarh Kesari award winner.Now he was a president of district wrestling association TARN-TARAN.THOSE WRESTLERS WHO WERE DEFEATED BY SALWINDER SINGH ARE AS FOLLOWING:-
- Sarwan Singh (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- Jagdish Bhola (winner of Maharaja Ranjit Singh award and Bharat Kesari award).
- Kehar Singh (winner of Maharaja Ranjit Singh award and Bharat Kesari award).
- Sumer Singh (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- Fateh Singh (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- Lalji Yadav (Bharat Kesari award winner).
- Vishnu Joshlekar (Bharat Kesari award winner and Shivaji award winner).
- Shivaji Panchpute (Bharat Kesari award winner and Shivaji award winner).
Pehlwani Associated with Professional Wrestling
Professional Wrestlers (Professional wrestling is an orchestrated sport and has been created so that it is entertaining, hence the term, sports entertainment. Although some of it seems to have an element of realism, it is mostly choregraphed, where the fate of the match has been pre-decided. Everything in WWE, TNA and other professional wrestling promotions have to do with more acrobatics and storyline angles than the non-choregraphed amateur wrestling.)
- Sonjay Dutt: (TNA Wrestling) of Indian origin, one of the most talented and decorated light heavyweight professional wrestlers in the world.
- The Great Khali (Dalip Singh): (WWE(Smack Down)) The Punjab State, Jalander, police bodybuilder and wrestler (Pehlwan) from Northern India standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall. In Japan, he’s known for hard fought shoot style matches. Currently training with WWE, and has a one year contract.
- Tiger Jeet Singh: Real name, Jagit Singh Hans, is the world renowned Indian pro-wrestler.
- Tiger Ali Singh: Real name, Gurjit Singh Hans is an Indian Pro-wrestler and son of Tiger Jeet Singh.
- Dara Singh: Wrestler and actor, famous for traveling to the United States of America; knocking out the professional wrestlers in the US, then coming back home after realizing the meaning of the word "working" in American professional wrestling.
- Gadowar Singh Sahota
Pehlwani Titles
Indian Wrestling Titles
- Rustam-I-Hind: (also spelled Rustam-e-Hind) Wrestling Champion of India in Hindustani. Imam Baksh Pahalwan and Hamida Pahalwan held the Rustam-I-Hind title in the past.
- Rustam-E-Punjab : (also spelled Rustam-I-Punjab) Wrestling Champion of Punjab in Hindustani. Pehalwan SALWINDER SINGH SHINDA becomes six times RUSTAM-E-PUNJAB*Rustam-I-Zamana: World Wrestling Champion in Hindustani. For example, the Great Gama of India became known as Rustam-I-Zamana when he defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1910.
- Bharat-Kesri: Best heavyweight wrestler of India in Hindustani. Recent winners include Rajeev Tomar (Railways) and Palwinder Singh Cheema (Punjab police).
References
- Alter, Joseph S. (1992). The Wrestler's Body: Identity and Ideology in North India. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-07697-4.
See also
External links
| Indian martial arts | |
|---|---|
| Martial arts and combat sports | |
| Weapons | |
| Related terms | |
 Martial arts portal | |