Pehlwani (
Hindi ???????,
Urdu ???????) or
Kushti (
Hindi ??????,
Urdu ????), which come from
Persian Pahlavani (???????) and
Koshti (????), or modern
Indian wrestling, is a synthesis of an indigenous form of
wrestling that dates back at least to the 5th century BC
[1] and a
Persian form of wrestling brought into the
Indian Subcontinent by the
Mughals.
[2]A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a Pehlwan (also spelled Pahlavân in Persian, Champion, literally "a Parthian"). Generally speaking, Hindu teachers of wrestling are known as Guru and Muslim teachers Ustad.[2]
The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomenclature and training methodologies through the ages. The more prominent influences include the introduction of Persian nomenclature and western training methods.
Wrestling competitions, known as Dangals, held at village levels, have their own rules which vary from place to place. Usually, a win is awarded by decision from the panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.
