Akhara or Akhada is an Indian word for a place of practice with facilities for boarding, lodging and training, both in the context of Indian martial artists or a sampradaya monastery for religious renunciates in Guru–shishya tradition. For example, in the context of the Dashanami Sampradaya sect, the word denotes both martial arts and religious monastic aspects of the trident wielding martial regiment of the renunciating sadhus.
A ceremonial procession of akhara marching over a makeshift bridge over the Ganges river, during Kumbha Mela at Prayagraj, 2001
The historic Jarasandha's Akhara at Rajgir, mentioned in the Mahabharata.
Youth in langota harvesting lotus in pond, 850 CE
Front facade of Naya Udasin Akhara, Kankhal
Indian martial arts refers to the fighting systems of the Indian subcontinent. A variety of terms are used for the English phrases "Indian martial arts", deriving from ancient sources. While they may seem to imply specific disciplines, by Classical times they were used generically for all fighting systems.
Indian martial arts
Locking technique shown at 12th century Airavatesvara Temple
Mughal warriors practicing horseback archery, a skill they were highly renowned for
Statue of Shivaji, the warrior-king who brought the Maratha people and fighting style to prominence.