Malla-yuddha
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Malla-yuddha is the traditional form of combat-wrestling originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is closely related to Southeast Asian wrestling styles such as naban and is one of the two ancestors
5th-century terracotta sculpture of wrestlers from Uttar Pradesh, India.
Krishna and Balarama fight the evil king Kamsa’s wrestlers: page from a dispersed Bhagavata Purana, 1650, The Met Museum.
The Malla Purana describes Pramada exercises with clubs; these were still current in the 19th century, as illustrated here
Bhima kills Jarasandha in a wrestling match, a folio from the Bhagavata Purana. c. 1520–1540
Pehlwani
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Pehlwani, also known as Kushti, is a form of wrestling practiced in India. It was developed during the Mughal Empire by combining Persian Koshti pahlevani with influences from native Indian Malla-yudd
Malla-yuddha
…originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is closely related to Southeast Asian wrestling styles such as naban and is one of the two ancestors of kushti. Indian wrestling is described in the 13th century Malla Purana. Malla-yuddha incorporates wrestling, joint-breaking, punching, biting, choking and…
Pehlwani-style wrestling match
Painting of Rostam wrestling a demon, Mughal, ca.1595
Painting of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan watching a wrestling match, attributable to Mir Kalan Khan, Delhi or Lucknow, ca.1750
Illustration of two wrestlers (1825).