Indian Martial Arts: Ek Itihaas

The weapon-based martial art Mardaani khel originated in Maharashtra around the early 1600s. The Marathas were known to be homespun warriors whose martial art was distinctive, as it employed the use of pata (sword) and vita (corded lance).

Kushti is an original form of wrestling that was developed in the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, combining the native malla-yuddha with influences from the Persian koshti pahlavani. Today, India has many international-level wrestlers, including women.

Lathi Khel, or game of sticks, was the first weapon-based martial art. A lathi is 5-to-6-foot bamboo stick tipped with a metal blunt that's swung like a sword, and a single person well versed in Lathi Khel can successfully fight many at the same time.

Gatka is a traditional form of combat training using wooden sticks to simulate swords in sparring matches. Gatka originated in North India and neighboring Pakistan, where the regional system of fighting today is most commonly termed shastara-vidiya.

Mallakhamb is a traditional Indian sport in which a gymnast performs feats and poses in concert with a vertical wooden pole or rope. The term derives from the words "malla," which denotes a wrestler, and "khamba," which means a pole.

Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest fighting systems, and originated in 1362 CE in Kerala. The British banned its practice in the early 19th century, but in recent years, efforts have been made to popularize the art by featuring it in films.