Shastar Vidya
| Also known as | Sanatan Sikh Shastar Vidiya ਸਨਾਤਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਦਿਆ |
|---|---|
| Focus | Striking |
| Hardness | Full-contact sport, semi-contact, light-contact |
| Country of origin | India |
| Famous practitioners | Nidar Singh Nihang (real name Surjit Singh Bains) |
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Shastar Vidya (Punjabi: ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਦਿਆ) is a centuries-old Sikh battlefield art which translates to ‘the science of weapons’. [1][2]
History
The battle art has existed in the subcontinent for thousands of years and been preserved by people from many different cultures and religions. [3] Since the mid-16th century, the Sikh tribes of the Punjab became the chief custodians and masters of this fighting system. [4] In North India it is believed that this art is the father of all martial arts.
After the Ango-Sikh wars the art was banned by the new British administrators of India in the mid-19th century. [5]
Features
The basis of Shastar Vidiya is a five-step movement which includes advancing on the opponent; hitting his flank, deflection of incoming blows, taking a commanding position and striking. As a full combat martial art it also includes both unarmed and armed combat techniques using swords, clubs, sticks, spears, daggers and other weapons. [6]
Theory of Power
Shastar Vidya is a subtle art and does not rely on fitness, flexibility or strength like western fighting systems. Instead, it uses tactical positioning and body mechanics. [7] [8]
References
- ^ Hegarty, Stephanie (2011-10-30). "The only living master of a dying martial art". Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ Myrvold, Kristina (2011). Sikhs in Europe: Migration, Identities, and Representations. Routledge. p. 241. ISBN 9781317055068.
- ^ "British Sikhs revive deadly art banned by the Raj". Reuters. 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ "Ancient but deadly: the return of shastar vidiya". The Independent. 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ "Ancient but Deadly: 8 Indian Martial Art Forms and Where You Can Learn Them". The Better India. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ Mitra, Rohit (2018-10-21). "Sanatan Shastar Vidiya: Ancient Indian Battlefield Art". indomitableindia. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ "Ancient Indian Battlefield Secrets Revealed: Sanatan Shastra Vidya, the Original Art of War". myIndiamyGlory. 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ "WATCH: Nidar Singh Nihang Revives The Deadly Sikhs Martial Art Of Shastar Vidya Banned By The British Raj". www.darpanmagazine.com. Retrieved 2019-04-11.