Types of Wrestling in India depend upon many factors like techniques, winning, regional and many more. Today, techniques of wrestling have been integrated with other hand-to-hand combat systems, including military combat and martial arts.
Modern Types of Wrestling in India
In the folk-style, Wrestling in India can be divided into two main categories like "Malla Krida" and "Malla-Yuddha". Malla Krida is the sports form of the game, while Malla-Yuddha is the battle version of wrestling. The free-style varieties are more common than the other forms, since Vedic times. The free-style varieties of wrestling in India are known as "Pushti" or "Kushti".
Malakhra: Malakhra is a unique type of wrestling, which has been derived from South Asia. This game is played in many portions of India and also in Pakistan. The participants tie a cloth around the waist of the opponent and each of them makes an attempt to throw him down, to the ground.
Vajra Mushti: Vajra-Mushti, also referred to as `diamond-fist` or `thunder-fist` is a technique of martial arts of ancient India which is performed by wrestlers known by the name Jyesthimalla. The weapon employed in this game is called `Indra-mukti` which implies the fist of Lord Indra.
Pehlwani: Also known as `Kusti`, Pehlwani is a procedure of wrestling which originated from South Asia. It is said to be a fusion of the local form of wrestling, known as "malla-yuddha" and `varzesh-e bastani`, a Persian form of wrestling.
Ancient Types of Wrestling in India
Wrestling was a traditional pastime in India during the ancient time. Wrestling in Ancient India was divided into four types like "Bhimaseni", "Hanumanthi", "Jambuvanthi" and "Jarasandhi", based on the technique and methodology.
Bhimaseni Wrestling: The other type, Bhimaseni is for those wrestlers, who have huge build and strength. This form of wrestling gives pressure on acquiring the strength and then using it.
Hanumanthi Wrestling: The technical superiority of the wrestler matters the most in the Hanumanthi type of wrestling. The wrestler can win a victory over the opponent of even greater strength, by his technical superiority.
Jambuvani Wrestling: In Jambuvanti wrestling, the wrestlers apply locks and holds to get control over the opponent.
Jarasandhi Wrestling: The Jarasandhi form of wrestling is mainly focused on the breaking of the limbs and joints of the opponent and hence, it is considered as the most dangerous form of wrestling in India.
Wrestling in India can again be divided into another two categories based on the methods of selecting the winner. They are:
Orthia: In Orthia type, the wrestler has to throw the opponent on the ground for three times consecutively to win the match.
Kato Pale: The Kato Pale type of wrestling demands the wrestler to accept defeat by raising his right hand with the index finger pointed.
However, all types of wrestling involve forcing an opponent to touch the ground or holding them in a particular position for maximum time periods.
