Pehlwani (also spelled as pahlwani) is a form of wrestling native to India.The name Pehlwani is a result of the relatively recent influence of countries like Turkey and Iran.Though,the Indian wrestling sport itself existed much earlier under the name of Mallayuddha.
A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a pehlwan (also spelled pahlwan from Persian Pahlavan, champion, literally a Parthian). An expert or master of this art style of wrestling is called a Guru/"Ustad" (great teacher). In its modern form of pehlwani in India is heavily influenced by the traditional Indian art of Mallayuddha.
The Indian wrestling is not barred by protective limitations in joint locks, etc. like in amateur competitons in the west. Dangals (wrestling competitons) are held at village levels and have their own rules which vary from place to place but usually a win is awarded by either a decision from the a panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission. The rules do not allow striking but do allow the application of many joint locks and submission holds. Chokes, though, are not allowed.
History
The earliest wrestlers in India practiced the Mallayuddha style of wrestling very often. Incidences of mythological warriors wrestling without weapons are plentiful in the epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharatha.
Wrestling has been very popular in India from ancient times and history bears eloquent testimony to this. There is the memorable fight between Bhima and Jarasindhu narrated in the Mahabharata and the dual between Rustom and Sohrab mentioned in Shah Nama(the Persian book of kings). India has produced world-class wrestlers like Bhima and Karna. Balram brother of lord Krishna was a renowned wrestler of his time. In the Ramayan there is mention of King Bali of Vanaras, having won against the mighty Ravana, the king of Lanka in the "Mall Yuddha"(Mallayuddha) wrestling contest. The name of Bajarang Bali i.e. Hanumanji is symbolic with Indian wrestling and even today people worship him for his prowess and might and seek his blessings for victory. During Sivaji's regime we hear of his son Sambhaji performing great feats in wrestling and finally tearing a lion with his own hands.
Cross training though,was inevitable even in this ancient dicipline.Pehlwans who compete in wrestling nowadays also practice wrestling which includes techniques from various other forms of wrestling including the grappling aspects of judo and ju jitsu.
Having said that, the popularity of this strong tradition seems to be slowly withering away on the Indian Subcontinent. More recently, Oil Wrestling is making a comeback in Turkey. Legendary wrestlers from the bygone era eg. Karl Gotch have made tours to the traditional "Milked Sand wrestling pits" in India to learn the art of Pehlwani and further hone their skills. Karl Gotch was gifted a pair of "mudgals" (exercise equipment used by the Indian wrestlers) by the Indian wrestlers.
India in the recent past had world beaters of the class of Great Gama and Gobar Goho. India reached its peak of glory in the IV Asian Games (later on called Jakarta Games) in 1962 when all the seven wrestlers were placed on the medal list and in between them they bagged 12 medals in Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. A repetition of this performance was witnessed again when all the 8 wrestlers sent to the Commonwealth Games held at Kingston (Jamaica) had the distinction of getting medals for the country.
During the 60’s, India was ranked among the first eight or nine wrestling nations of the world and hosted the world wrestling championships in New Delhi in 1967.
The undefeated champions of India hold the title Rustum-i-Hind title .
Famous Pehlwans
Olympic Freestyle Wrestlers
- Khasabha Jadhav - 1952 olympic bronze medalist, 1948 olympics 4th place
Asian Games Freestyle Wrestlers
- Master Chandgiram 1970 Asian games gold medalist is an Indian wrestler who is Known for defeating champions from numerous other disciplines of martial arts.Currently run Chandiram akhara in old delhi.
- Kartar Singh 1978 and 1986 Asian games gold medalist, currently DSP Punjab police and Director general of sports Punjab.
- Satpal Singh 1982 Asian games gold medalist, currently Director general of sports Delhi.
Legendary Indian Wrestlers
- Great Gama
- Karim Bux - was the first wrestler to get into world headlines, when he defeated Tom Canon of England in 1892.
- Mama Moti Singh, trainer of Kikkar Singh and Kalloo whom he trained in the unique dog method of wrestling.
- Kikkar Singh - Dev-e-Hind,Known for his phenomenal chest and body.
- Ghulam – accompanied the late Pandit Motilal Nehru to Paris in 1900 and defeated Kader Ali of Turkey to become the world champion.
- Gobar Goho - defeated the legendary hook wrestler Ad Santel in San Francisco in 1922 and became the world champion.
- Ramzi Pahlwan
- Kalloo
- Labhu Lohar
- Rahim Sultaniwala
- Imam Baksh Pehlwan -The Indian wrestling legend, and the former Rustam-I-Hind as well as the winner of several strength contests in India.
- Viddo - (Sitara-I-Hind)
- Bular
- Goonga Baliwala
- Mhani Reniwala
- Gutta Singh Khakhanwala
- Hamida Pehlwan – former Rustam-I-Hind and the trainer of the Bholu Brothers.
- Gainda Singh Johl
- Haider Amritsaria
- Bholu – He is the eldest son of Imam Baksh Pehlwan. And the eldest among the Pehlwan Brothers.
- Ajit Singh- Indian Wrestler
- Bholu Brothers- Illustrious Pehlwan Brothers. (Bholu , Aslam , Goga , Akram and Azam).
- Akram Pehlwan- the son of the wrestling legend Imam Baksh Pahalwan. He becomes famous for his mixed martial arts match against Antonio Inoki. And he is one of the Bholu Brothers.
- Aslam Pahlwan also trained by Mama Moti Singh
- Nasir Bholu- Well-known wrestler from the Bholu family.
- Jhara Pehlwan- Real name Zubair , was the son of the famous Aslam Pehlwan
Pehlwani Associated with Professional Wrestling
Professional Wrestlers (Professional wrestling is an orchestrated sport and has been created so that it is entertaining, hence the term, sports entertainment. Although some of it seems to have an element of realism, it is mostly choregraphed, where the fate of the match has been pre-decided. Everything in WWE, TNA and other professional wrestling promotions have to do with more acrobatics and storyline angles than the non-choregraphed amateur wrestling.)
- Sonjay Dutt: (TNA Wrestling) of Indian origin,one of the most talented and decorated light heavyweight professional wrestler in the world.
- Dalip Singh: (WWE) The Punjab State, Jalander, police bodybuilder and wrestler (Pehlwan) from Northern India standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall. In Japan, he’s known for hard fought shoot style matches. Currently training with WWE, and has a one year contract.
- Tiger Jeet Singh: Real name, Jagit Singh Hans, is the world renowned Indian pro-wrestler.
- Tiger Ali Singh: Real name, Gurjit Singh Hans is an Indian Pro-wrestler and son of Tiger Jeet Singh.
- Dara Singh: Wrestler and actor, famous for traveling to the United States of America; knocking out the professional wrestlers in the US, then coming back home after realizing the meaning of the word "working" in American professional wrestling.
- Gadowar Singh Sahota
Pehlwani Titles
Indian Wrestling Titles
- Rustam-I-Hind: (also spelled Rustam-e-Hind ) means Wrestling Champion of India. In fact Rustam-I-Hind is the older interpretation of Indian Wrestling Champion. Similarly, Imam Baksh Pahalwan and Hamida Pahalwan held Rustam-I-Hind title respectively and were recognized as the Wrestling Champions of India.
- Rustam-I-Punjab : (also spelled Rustam-e-Punjab) means the Wrestling Champion of Punjab. And Similarly Rustam-I-Punjab is the Indian version of Wrestling Champion of Punjab. Whereas Aslam Pehlwan held the Rustam-I-Punjab honor during the 50’s.
- Rustam-I-Zamana: The expression, Rustam-I-Zamana means the World Wrestling Champion in the Indian language. For instance the Great Gama of India when he defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1910 , and became Known as Rustam-I-Zamana.
- Bharat-Kesri: The expression, Bharat Kesri means the Best heavyweight wrestler in India. For instance the current breed of wrestlers who won Bharat kesri title include Rajeev tomar(railways), Palwinder Singh Cheema(Punjab police).