Pahalwani

Pahalwani, also spelled pehlwani or pehalwani, is a traditional form of wrestling practiced in the Indian subcontinent. It is closely related to kushti and is commonly trained in akharas, or wrestling schools, where athletes learn grappling techniques, clinch work, and pins.

Origins and scope: The style draws on ancient Indian wrestling traditions and Persian influence, with a history extending to the medieval and early modern periods. It remains particularly associated with rural and urban centers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and in neighboring Pakistan.

Training and technique: Training typically takes place on a dirt or clay floor, with wrestlers wearing a loincloth (langoti) and applying oil or other substances to their bodies for grip and conditioning. Practice combines conditioning, technique in holds and throws, leverage, balance, and often a ritualized warm-up. Competitive bouts, called kushti or pahalwani matches, are commonly decided by a fall when both shoulders are off the ground, though some matches employ voluntary submissions or points in modern formats.

Culture and organization: Pahalwani has been linked to local festivals, martial culture, and traditional patronage networks that support akharas. In the modern period, national sports bodies and wrestling associations oversee events, weight classes, and rules; major contests are held at regional fairs and in national championships.

Notable figures: The Great Gama, a late 19th and early 20th-century wrestler, is among the best-known exponents of pahalwani. The sport gained wider attention in India and Pakistan during the 20th century and has been popularized in contemporary media, including films about wrestling culture.