Martial arts have been in existence on the Indian sub-continent for thousands of years. In ancient times fighting styles were imitated by pre-historic man for survival. The first weapon used was the stick which was an extension of the arm. Various weapons were later invented during the stone and iron ages.
Martial arts are part of India’s ancient culture and traditional games. Every state has its own style of martial art. Indian martial arts have an important influence in the development of modern Asian martial arts. Nowadays, a sense of self-defence and for fitness, lots of people are opting for martial arts.
- Kusti, the Indian wrestling, is also a part of native martial art found throughout the country.
- Lathi is an ancient armed martial art. It also refers one of the world’s oldest weapons (Stick) used in martial arts.
- Gatka is an ancient and traditional Indian martial art of self-defence. Gatka (Stick) is a stick-fighting method between two contestants and used to learn prior to sword training.
- Kalaripayattu is a famous Indian martial art of Kerala and one of the oldest fighting system in existence. It includes strikes, kicks and some weapon based practices. Footwork patterns are most important key in Kalaripayattu.
- Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu. A wide variety of weapons are used in Silambam. Another part of Silambam is Kuttu Varisai, which is the unarmed kind of martial art.
- Thang Ta is popular term for the ancient Manipuri martial art, also known as Huyen Lallong. Thang Ta is played with swords and spears.
- Mardani Khel is traditional armed method of martial art created by the Marathas in Maharashtra.
- Pari-Khanda style of sword and shield fighting from Bihar. This art is created by the Rajputs. Pari-Khanda steps and techniques are also used in Chau dance.
