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.
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage.
United States Marine practicing martial arts, 2008
Strikes: punching and kicking techniques displayed at the Banteay Srei (967 A.D.) in Cambodia.
Grappling: bas-relief of grappling techniques at Prambanan (9th century) in Indonesia.
Detail of the wrestling fresco in tomb 15 at Beni Hasan