The Sport of Indian style Wrestling " Khusti": Dying away

Indian Style Wrestling or 'Kushti' Its Origin and Present Position in India

Madan Singh

Wrestling is the oldest sport in India. It traces its origin to a bygone age. The earliest mention of Kushti or also called ‘Dangal’ is in the Mahabharata an epic that traces its origin to 4000BC. In this epic the warrior BhÄ«ma wrestles with the Rakshas King Jarasandha.  This is a famous episode and the two had a wrestling bout that lasted for 13 days and in the end BhÄ«ma broke Jarasandha backbone and tore apart his body with his bare hands.
Over the centuries this Indian form of wrestling continued in India. It is different from the Free Style and Greo0 Roman style of wrestling which is universally recognized all over the world. This style of wrestling is confined only to the sub-continent and now is home only to India and Pakistan.

Kushti has simple rules and is fought between two protagonists in a large arena covered only with sand and loose mud. The men wrestle only on this natural environment and normally there is nothing like a ring. The game is a trial of strength and the victor who pins his opponent to the earth with both shoulders touching the sand and mud.  No blows with the hands are allowed and the men grapple with each other face to face. There is no rest period or ‘rounds’ and the match once started goes on till one of the players is defeated or signals his acceptance of defeat. Earlier bouts never had a referee and normally this part was played by the Chief Guest who could be a maharajah. But modern Kushti matches have incorporated a referee.
Presently the Champion Phelwan in India is given the title Rustam-e –Hind after the hero of the Iranian epic. Unfortunately the sport is confined to India and Pakistan and is not an Olympic sport. Efforts are on to stream line the sport, but paucity of funds and lack of sponsorship is a big handicap.