Ancient warriors, modern arenas: India's indigenous martial arts renaissance

From Ancient Battlefields to National Games: The Revival of India’s Warrior Arts

For centuries, the Indian subcontinent has been a cradle of sophisticated and deadly martial arts. Far more than mere fighting systems, they are a synthesis of physical prowess, spiritual discipline, and cultural expression. Forms like Manipur’s Thang-ta and Bihar’s Pari-khanda were once the preserve of warriors and royal guards. Today, these ancient traditions are experiencing a remarkable resurgence, moving from forgotten histories to the spotlight of national policy and modern sporting arenas.

A significant catalyst for this revival has been a concerted push by the Indian government. Recognizing their cultural value and potential to foster discipline, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has integrated several indigenous martial arts into the Khelo India Scheme. This initiative aims to preserve, promote, and popularize these games, giving them a national platform and encouraging a new generation of athletes.

Fun Fact: The southern martial art of Kalaripayattu is often called the ‘Mother of All Martial Arts’. Legends suggest that the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, who introduced Zen Buddhism to China, also transmitted Kalaripayattu techniques, which later evolved into Shaolin Kung Fu.

The Armed Renaissance: Key Martial Arts in Focus

While India is home to dozens of unique fighting styles, several have been brought to the forefront by recent government initiatives.

The Manipuri Trinity

Manipur, in India’s northeast, is a treasure trove of martial traditions. Its most prominent arts include:

• Thang-ta: Translating to ‘The Art of the Sword and Spear’, Thang-ta is a dynamic weapon-based martial art. Practitioners engage in intricate choreographies, sparring, and meditation. Historically, it was the training of the Manipuri warriors. Today, Thang-ta is a competitive sport and a key discipline in the Khelo India Youth Games, helping it gain national recognition after decades of relative obscurity.
• Sarit Sarak: Considered the unarmed sibling of Thang-ta, Sarit Sarak focuses on hand-to-hand combat. It emphasizes flawless offensive and evasive actions, making it a highly effective self-defense system.
• Cheibi Gad-ga: An ancient Manipuri art, Cheibi Gad-ga involves fighting with a sword (now a stick wrapped in leather) and a shield. The contest, held within a 7-meter circle, is decided by points awarded for skill and force.

Analogy: Think of the Manipuri martial arts like a three-pronged spear. Thang-ta is the sharp, weaponized tip; Sarit Sarak is the strong, resilient shaft for close combat; and Cheibi Gad-ga is the balanced combination of offense and defense, much like the spear’s overall design.

Pari-khanda: The Legacy of the Rajputs

Originating in Bihar and created by the Rajputs, Pari-khanda is a sword and shield-based art. Its name literally means ‘Shield-Sword’. While it remains a practice in parts of Bihar, its most visible legacy is in the performing arts; the foundational steps and techniques of Pari-khanda are widely used in the famed Chhau Dance, a semi-classical Indian dance with martial origins.

Mnemonic for Key Martial Arts & States: To remember the origins of these warrior arts, use the phrase: “Kindly Prepare Ghee Toast for the Managers of State Bank.”

• Kindly Prepare: Kalaripayattu - Punjab (wait, that’s wrong). Let’s try again.

Let’s create a better mnemonic: “Kerala’s Kalari Performs Great Tricks in Manipur; Staffs in Tamil Nadu Beat Powerfully.”

• Kerala’s Kalari: Kalaripayattu - Kerala
• Punjab’s Great: Gatka - Punjab
• Tricks in Manipur: Thang-ta - Manipur
• Staffs in Tamil Nadu: Silambam - Tamil Nadu
• Bihar’s Powerfully: Pari-khanda - Bihar

The 2024-2025 Policy Push: A New Dawn for Indigenous Sports

The most critical recent development is the government’s formal recognition and financial backing of these arts. As of July 2025, the new National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 was approved, replacing the 2001 policy. A key pillar of NSP 2025 is “Sports for Social Development,” which explicitly includes revitalizing and promoting indigenous and traditional games. This policy provides a strategic roadmap to transform India into a sporting powerhouse, with a clear mandate to support cultural heritage sports.

Statistic: Under the ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ component of the Khelo India Scheme, the government has identified and provides grants for Silambam, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Mallakhamb and Yogasana for infrastructure, coaching, and scholarships.

Furthermore, in a significant development reported in February 2024, the Indian Army has formally incorporated several indigenous martial arts into the training routines of its regiments to prepare for unarmed combat scenarios. For instance, the Punjab Regiment now trains in Gatka, and the Madras Regiment in Kalaripayattu, showcasing a practical, modern application of these ancient skills.

Critical Policy Appraisal

| Challenges/Criticisms | Opportunities/Successes/Way Forward | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Standardization Issues: Lack of uniform rules and regulations can hinder national-level competition. | Inclusion in Khelo India: Provides a standardized platform and national visibility, attracting youth. | | Funding Gaps: Despite central schemes, grassroots-level funding and infrastructure remain a challenge. | National Sports Policy 2025: A dedicated policy framework promises sustained focus and funding for indigenous sports. | | Competition from Mainstream Sports: Cricket and other global sports dominate media and corporate sponsorship. | Cultural Soft Power: Promoting these arts globally (like Yoga) can enhance India’s cultural influence and attract tourism. | | Loss of Spiritual Essence: Formalizing them as sports may dilute their traditional spiritual and ritualistic aspects. | Holistic Development: The focus on discipline, fitness, and mental acuity can be integrated into the national education system. |

Analytical Lens: UPSC Focus (Mains & Prelims)

Conceptual Basis:

• Key Scheme: The Khelo India Scheme (under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports) is the primary vehicle for the promotion of indigenous sports.
• Guiding Policy: The National Sports Policy 2025 provides the overarching strategic vision for reviving these games and integrating them into the national sports ecosystem.

UPSC Integration: Connecting the Dots

• GS Paper 1 (Art & Culture): This topic is a prime example of India’s intangible cultural heritage. Questions can be asked on the origin, features, and cultural significance of martial arts, and their connection to traditional dance forms like Chhau.
• GS Paper 2 (Governance & Social Justice): The promotion of indigenous sports falls under government policies for social development, preservation of tribal and rural culture, and youth engagement. The Khelo India scheme and the National Sports Policy are key areas of study.
• GS Paper 3 (Internal Security): The recent adoption of these martial arts by the Indian Army for unarmed combat training links directly to security preparedness and the indigenization of defense practices.

Future Impact & Policy Relevance: The revival of indigenous martial arts is more than a cultural project; it’s a strategic move. It fosters national pride, provides alternative career paths for rural youth, promotes physical fitness (a key goal of the Fit India Movement), and can become a significant aspect of India’s soft power diplomacy. The long-term policy goal is to create a robust ecosystem where these sports are not just preserved but thrive, potentially even making their way to international platforms like the Asian Games.

Practice MCQ (Prelims):

Which of the following pairs of Indian martial arts and their respective states of origin is correctly matched?

1. Gatka - Punjab
2. Silambam - Kerala
3. Thang-ta - Assam
4. Pari-khanda - West Bengal

a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 only c) 3 and 4 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: The correct answer is (a). Gatka is from Punjab. Silambam is from Tamil Nadu, not Kerala (which is home to Kalaripayattu). Thang-ta is from Manipur, not Assam. Pari-khanda originates from Bihar.

Sample Mains Question (15 Marks):

“The recent inclusion of indigenous martial arts in national sports initiatives like the Khelo India scheme marks a pivotal shift from mere cultural preservation to active promotion.” In light of this statement, critically analyze the challenges and opportunities in integrating traditional sports into India’s mainstream sporting culture. What further policy measures would you suggest to ensure their sustainable growth?

Mind Map Outline (Revision Structure)

• India’s Indigenous Martial Arts Revival
  • Introduction
    • Historical context: From battlefields to modern arenas.
    • Core Theme: Government-led resurgence.
    • Key Drivers:
      • Khelo India Scheme
      • National Sports Policy 2025
  • Major Martial Arts Profiled
    • Manipur’s Trinity
      • Thang-ta (Sword & Spear)
      • Sarit Sarak (Unarmed Combat)
      • Cheibi Gad-ga (Stick & Shield)
    • Pari-khanda (Bihar)
      • Origin: Rajputs
      • Link to Chhau Dance
    • Other Key Arts
      • Kalaripayattu (Kerala)
      • Gatka (Punjab)
      • Silambam (Tamil Nadu)
  • Recent Developments & Policy Focus (2024-2025)
    • National Sports Policy 2025
      • Pillar: ‘Sports for Social Development’
      • Mandate: Revitalize indigenous games.
    • Khelo India Scheme Integration
      • Inclusion as competitive sports.
      • Financial support: Infrastructure, coaching, scholarships.
    • Indian Army Adoption (Feb 2024)
      • Purpose: Unarmed combat training.
      • Examples: Gatka in Punjab Regiment, Kalaripayattu in Madras Regiment.
  • Critical Analysis & Appraisal
    • Challenges
      • Standardization
      • Funding at Grassroots
      • Competition from Mainstream Sports
    • Opportunities
      • National Platform (Khelo India)
      • Policy Support (NSP 2025)
      • Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy
  • UPSC Analytical Framework
    • Legal/Policy Basis
      • Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
      • Khelo India & National Sports Policy 2025
    • Inter-Topic Linkages
      • GS-1: Art & Culture
      • GS-2: Governance, Social Justice
      • GS-3: Internal Security