Genesis of Martial Arts in India
Art & Culture › Martial Arts & Sports · Topic 7.2
Martial arts in India grew from war training, wrestling, weapon science and religious discipline over more than two thousand years. Early Vedic hymns speak of chariots, bows and combat, the Mahabharata and Ramayana describe archery, mace fighting and duels, and Dhanurveda, treated as an Upaveda linked with the Yajurveda, is the classical science of arms. Regional systems such as Kalaripayattu in Kerala, Silambam in Tamil Nadu and Gatka among the Sikhs developed from this base, while tradition links the Pallava prince Bodhidharma of Kanchipuram with carrying fighting and meditation methods to China around the fifth to sixth century CE.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Martial Arts & Sports
At a Glance
- Classical science of arms Dhanurveda
- Wrestling Mallayuddha and Niyuddha
- Legendary founders Parashurama, Agastya
- Carried to China Bodhidharma, Pallava prince
- Regional systems Kalaripayattu, Silambam, Gatka
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Martial Arts & Sports
Where Does It Fit?
This is the second topic of the macro on martial arts and sports. It gives the historical roots that explain the regional forms taken up in the next topic. Previous topic: Various Types of Sports (Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Mallakhamb). Next topic: Forms of Traditional Martial Arts (Kalaripayattu, Silambam, Thang-Ta, Gatka, Mardani Khel, Musti Yuddha).
What Are the Sources of Indian Martial Arts?
| Source | What it gives | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vedic hymns | Chariot warfare, bows and arrows, spears and tribal battles | The Rigveda describes the Battle of Ten Kings |
| Ramayana and Mahabharata | Archery, gada or mace fighting, sword play and single combat | Drona taught the Kauravas and Pandavas; Bhima and Duryodhana fought with maces |
| Dhanurveda | A science of arms that covers archery, swords, spears, maces and training of warriors | Treated as an Upaveda linked with the Yajurveda; the Agni Purana has a section on it |
| Arthashastra | State view of weapons, army training and duels | Attributed to Kautilya, Mauryan period |
| Sangam literature | Tamil heroes trained with spears, swords and staff | Silappadikaram mentions sale of silambu staff |
| Sculpture and painting | Warriors, wrestlers and fighters in temple and cave art | Seen at Ajanta, Ellora and southern temples |
Which Legends and Traditions Explain the Origins?
| Tradition | Link and meaning |
|---|---|
| Parashurama | legend credits the sixth avatar of Vishnu with teaching Kalaripayattu in Kerala and setting up its training grounds |
| Sage Agastya | tradition links him with the early spread of Silambam and southern fighting arts |
| Bodhidharma | traditionally a Pallava prince from Kanchipuram who became a Buddhist monk and went to China around the fifth to sixth century CE; accounts link him with the Shaolin tradition |
| Mallayuddha | the ancient art of wrestling; Niyuddha means unarmed combat. The Mahabharata fight between Bhima and Jarasandha is its best known epic example |
| Guru and school | training was done in a gurukul or kalari under a guru, with oil massage, drills, meditation and moral discipline |
| Marma knowledge | knowledge of vital points of the body used in fighting and in treatment, found in Kalaripayattu and Ayurveda |
| Weapon classes of Dhanurveda | weapons were grouped as thrown, held, both and mechanical ones |
| Link with spirituality | breath control, yoga and meditation were part of the training |
What Else Should You Remember?
- Alternate names: Dhanurveda is also called Dhanur Vidya; Mallayuddha is written Malla-yuddha and survives as Kushti or Pehlwani; Bodhidharma is known in China as Damo and in Japan as Daruma; Kalaripayattu is also spelt Kalarippayattu or simply Kalari
- Place and period summary: Vedic and epic roots from about 1500 BCE, textual systematisation in the Dhanurveda and Arthashastra by the Mauryan to Gupta period, and regional schools growing in the medieval kingdoms of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Maharashtra
- Rise of kingdoms: Chola, Chera, Pandya and Pallava rulers kept trained armies and wrestlers, and the Cheras of Kerala are linked with early kalari schools
- Chaver and Nair groups: in Kerala the chaver warriors of local chiefs trained in kalaris and fought in duels
- Medieval period: Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs and Mughals maintained armies in which sword, shield and wrestling skills were basic
- Shivaji and Mardani Khel: the Maratha tradition of weapon training continued in Mardani Khel, as in Forms of Traditional Martial Arts
- Sikh Khalsa: Guru Hargobind introduced the idea of miri and piri, joining temporal and spiritual power, and gatka became the Sikh weapon art
- Colonial ban: British rule restricted weapon training in several regions, and Kalaripayattu was suppressed in the nineteenth century; it revived in the twentieth century
- Revival: physical culture clubs, akhadas and nationalist movements revived martial training, and the sports ministry now supports several forms through Khelo India
- Spread abroad: Buddhist monks and traders carried ideas to China, Japan and Southeast Asia, which later grew into forms such as Kung Fu and Karate
- Hanuman akhadas: wrestling halls are linked with the worship of Hanuman, a symbol of strength and celibate discipline
- Three parts: traditional systems usually joined unarmed fighting, weapons training and healing knowledge
- Folk performance: many martial arts survive as dance or ritual display, as with Thang-Ta in Manipur and Chhau in Odisha and Jharkhand
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Texts: Dhanurveda, Agni Purana and Arthashastra
- Persons and legends: Parashurama, Agastya and Bodhidharma
- Place links: Kalaripayattu with Kerala, Silambam with Tamil Nadu
- Spread: link with Buddhist missions and East Asian martial arts
- Common errors: calling Bodhidharma a Chinese monk by birth, or Dhanurveda a Veda rather than an Upaveda
As an analytical point, martial arts show how a warfare skill became a cultural practice, a fitness system and a performing art. Their survival depends on certification of teachers, safety standards and recognition as sports without losing the guru-shishya method.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Roots Texts and legends asked
- Spread Link with East Asia
- Mains Continuity of culture
What Came Next?
The next topic describes each regional martial art in detail. Next topic: Forms of Traditional Martial Arts (Kalaripayattu, Silambam, Thang-Ta, Gatka, Mardani Khel, Musti Yuddha).
Key People and Terms
- Dhanurveda Science of arms
- Mallayuddha Wrestling art
- Kalari Training hall in Kerala
- Marma Vital points of the body
- Guru Teacher in the school
- Niyuddha Unarmed combat
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Dhanurveda: Upaveda tied to the Yajurveda.
- Bodhidharma: Pallava prince of Kanchipuram.
- Kalaripayattu legend: Parashurama.
- Silambam legend: Agastya.
- Wrestling: Mallayuddha.
Do Not Confuse With
- Dhanurveda and the four Vedas An Upaveda versus the main Vedas
- Mallayuddha and Mardani Khel Ancient wrestling versus a Maratha weapon art
- Legend and evidence Tradition credits founders, written proof is limited
Memory Hook
Parashurama in Kerala, Agastya in Tamil land, Bodhidharma on to China.
Mains Angle
Questions ask how martial arts relate to culture, identity and national fitness. These points give a balanced frame.
- Roots War, religion and healing
- Decline Colonial restrictions
- Revival Sport, tourism and fitness
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Trace the origins of martial arts in India and discuss how they have been preserved and promoted in modern times.”
How to Answer
- Roots Vedic, epic and Dhanurveda base.
- Growth Regional schools and legends.
- Decline Colonial restrictions.
- Way Recognition and training standards.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the origin of martial arts important for UPSC?
It is important because Prelims asks for texts such as Dhanurveda, legends such as Parashurama and Bodhidharma, and state links of regional arts, while Mains asks how warfare skills became sport, ritual and performance. It links GS Paper 1 culture with themes of continuity, colonial restriction and revival.
Is Dhanurveda one of the four Vedas?
No. Dhanurveda is an Upaveda, a secondary applied science, linked with the Yajurveda. The four Vedas are Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. The other Upavedas are Ayurveda, Gandharvaveda and Sthapatyaveda, and Dhanurveda deals with archery, weapons and the training of warriors.
What is Dhanurveda?
Dhanurveda is the classical Indian science of arms and warfare. It is regarded as an Upaveda linked with the Yajurveda and deals with archery, swords, maces, spears and the training of warriors. The Agni Purana also has a section on it, and it is a key source for ancient Indian martial thought.
Who was Bodhidharma and why is he linked with martial arts?
Bodhidharma is traditionally remembered as a Pallava prince from Kanchipuram who became a Buddhist monk and travelled to China around the fifth to sixth century CE. Accounts link him with teaching meditation and exercises at the Shaolin monastery, which later shaped Chinese martial arts.
Which legends explain the origin of Kalaripayattu?
Kerala tradition credits the sage warrior Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, with creating Kalaripayattu and setting up its training halls called kalaris. Such accounts are legend, but the art is clearly old and is linked with the warrior groups of medieval Kerala.
What is Mallayuddha?
Mallayuddha is the ancient Indian art of wrestling, with Niyuddha meaning unarmed combat. The Mahabharata describes the long duel between Bhima and Jarasandha as a famous example. The tradition continues in the akhadas of Indian wrestling called Pehlwani or Kushti.
Why was martial training restricted under British rule?
The colonial government feared armed resistance and restricted weapon training in many regions, especially after revolts in the early nineteenth century. Systems such as Kalaripayattu declined as a result, and they were revived in the twentieth century through physical culture movements and later through state support.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Dhanurveda is an Upaveda associated with the Yajurveda.
It is the science of arms.
2 Bodhidharma is traditionally linked with the Pallava dynasty of Kanchipuram.
He is said to have gone to China.
3 Mallayuddha refers to ancient Indian archery.
It refers to wrestling.
4 Kalaripayattu is traditionally credited to Parashurama in Kerala.
Legend gives him as its founder.
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