Learn about Gatka - An Indian Martial Arts Style

Gatka is an Indian martial arts focused primarily on weapons, especially swords and stick fighting. Gatka martial artists consider this ancient martial arts style as the "mother of all martial arts".

This martial arts was developed in Punjab, India. It is often associated with Punjabi or Sikh forms of combat.

Typical Gatka weapons include the talwar (sword), tegh (sword), khanda (sword), chakram (circle-based weapon), bagh nakh (metal claw), barcha (spear), etc.

History of Gatka

According to the Gatka Federation of India, "Though the origin of Gatka is not definitely known, yet some evidences shows that it existed in India in ancient times in the form of stick-fighting. The traditional martial art Gatka, is an Indian ancient art used as an art of self-defense in vogue. It was introduced to Hindustan around four thousand years ago… Gatka is the name of an Indian martial art associated with the Sikhs history of India. It is a style of stick fighting between two or more practitioners, with wooden sticks (called soti) intended to simulate swords. The present form originated in later 19th century, out of sword practice in the British Indian Army, divided in two sub-style, called Rasmi (traditional) and Khel (sport) from the 1600s. Gatka is a complete martial system which uses spiritual, mental and physical skills in equal portions to help one fully competent in defending themselves and others. The entire martial art is based on the correct use of a vast array of melee (hand-to-hand) weapons."

References

1. Gatka Federation of India, Home Page, http://www.gatkafederation.com/, Added - 10/22/13