List of Different Forms of Martial Arts

In government exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and others we find questions from the Martial Art forms section. This is a part of the general awareness section and in recent times questions are frequently coming from this topic. we will cover the General awareness section comprehensively so that students can learn and get most of the questions correct in this section. In this article, we will provide a list of Martial Art forms from different states in India.

Martial Arts: An Introduction

• Martial arts means “arts related to warfare”. Various Indian martial arts have evolved from various ancient war skills. 
  
• A seal of the Indus Valley Civilization depicts two men engaging in a duel that appears to involve a woman. A statue of a javelin thrower has also been excavated at a site in the Indus Valley. 
  
• Dhanurvidya, a passage found in the Vedas (1700 BC – 1100 BC), contains references to martial arts. Dhanurvidhya derives from the words for bow (dhanushya) and knowledge (Vidhya), the “science of archery” in Puranic literature, later it got applied to martial Arts. 
  
• The Mahabharata narrates fighters armed only with daggers defeating lions and describes a protracted battle between Arjuna and Karna using bows, swords, trees, rocks, and fists.    
  
• The earliest recorded organized unarmed martial art in the Indian subcontinent is Malla-Yuddha, or combat, which was codified into four forms in the Vedic period.   
  
• The Charanavyuha written by Shaunaka mentions four Upaveda (applied Vedas). These include archery (Dhanurveda) and military science (Shastrashastra). 
  
• Various Indian martial styles remain closely associated with yoga, dance, and the performing arts. until the 2nd century AD. Akananuru and Purananuru describe the use of spears, swords, shields, bows, and silambam in the Sangam era.

Different types of Martial Arts in India:

Kalaripayattu (Kerala):

• Kalaripayattu is a famous Indian martial art and one of the oldest fighting systems (4th century AD). 
  
• It is practised in most of southern India. 
  
• It also includes armed and unarmed combat
  
• Kalari in Malayalam refers to a particular school of gymnastics 
  
• Includes punches, kicks and some exercises with weapons 
  
• Footwork patterns are important in this art form 

Silambam ( Tamil Nadu ):

• Silambam is an Indian martial art based on weapons from Tamil Nadu. 
  
• A  variety of weapons are used in the Silambam, some of which are found nowhere else. 
  
• Mainly used the “Silambam Staff” as a weapon. Silambam art also uses animal movements of the snake, tiger, and eagle, footwork patterns play an important role here. 
  
• Momentum and precision at different levels of the body 

Gatka (Punjab):

• Gatka is a weapon-based Indian martial art developed primarily by the Sikhs of Punjab. 
  
• Gatka means – “He whose freedom belongs to the race”. It demonstrates skill with weapons. Attack and Defense are determined by different positions of hands and feet and the type of weapons. 
  
• Various weapons are used in Gatka, such as stick, talwar, and kirpan. It is also displayed during the various celebrations or fairs in Punjab. 

Musti Yuddha (Varanasi):

• It is a weaponless martial art from the oldest city in India “Varanasi”, which is similar to boxing. 
  
• The techniques used in this martial art are punches, kicks, knees and elbows combined with shots, throws, and locks and are intended to subdue the opponent on the ground. 
  
• Very old Malla-Yuddha involving grappling, joint fracture, hitting, biting, choking and pressure point 
  
• Four categories:
  Hanumanti – technical superiority, 
  Jambuvanti focuses on blocking and holding until the opponent submits. 
  Jarasandhi – breaking of limbs and joints 
  Bhimaseni – based on sheer strength 

Thang Ta (Manipur):

• It is also known as HUYEN LELONG / Sarit Sarak. 
  
• “Thang” means sword and “Ta” means spear. Other weapons used are the shield and the axe. It is also known as an armed martial art performed by the people of Manipur 

Lathi Khela (West Bengal):

• Lathi is an ancient armed martial art from India. It is one of the oldest weapons in the world. 
  
• Lathi or stick martial arts are practised in the Indian regions of Punjab and Bengal. 
  
• The performers are known as Lathial.

Mardani Khel (Maharashtra):

•  Mardani Khel is an armed method of martial arts developed by Maratha. 
  
• Mainly uses swords and requires fast movement. 
  
• Widespread in Kolhapur. 
  
• Mainly focuses on weapon skills Bihar style of sword and shield combat. 
  
• Steps and techniques are also used in the Chau dance 

Thoda (Himachal Pradesh):

• The name Thoda derives from the round piece of wood attached to the tip of an arrow to minimize its lethal potential. 
  
• It is a mixture of martial arts, sports and culture 
  
• It is performed every year during Baisakhi  
  
• Techniques used: Wooden bows, arrows 

Kuttu Varisai (Tamil Nadu):

•  It is considered an unarmed part of Silambam. 
  
• Also uses animal outfits such as snakes, eagles, tigers, elephants and monkeys 
  
• Techniques used: grabbing, striking and blocking techniques are used in this art 

Paikha Akhadha (Odisha):

•  Paikha Akhadha or Paika Akhara is a term Odia meaning “ warrior school”. 
  
• It is based on acrobatic manoeuvres and the use of khanda (straight sword), patta (glove – sword), sticks and others