Danda

Danda is a term used across South Asia to refer to a long stick or baton. Deriving from the Sanskrit danda meaning "staff," the word appears in Hindi, Nepali, Marathi, and other languages. In everyday usage, danda can denote a walking stick, a cane, or a policing baton, and historically it has also been associated with corporal punishment in some legal and cultural contexts.

In traditional recreation, Danda is the name of a rural sport played in parts of Nepal and northern India. The game centers on a long wooden stick (the danda) and a ball or similar object. Players strike the ball with the danda to score points, while fielders or opponents attempt to halt or defend, depending on local rules. Danda-like games have many regional variants and are often played during festivals or school tournaments; the exact rules and equipment vary by community.

In martial arts, the danda is a standard training implement and weapon. Many Indian martial arts traditions include staff fighting, using wooden danda of varying lengths, with drills that cover strikes, blocks, and footwork. Practitioners may perform forms and paired drills to develop control, reach, and precision.

The term also appears in phrases referring to discipline or punishment, such as expressions for corporal punishment, reflecting historical social usage. Overall, danda demonstrates how a simple tool can span sport, combat training, and everyday life across South Asia.