In Punjab, the top credit for wrestling in the past went to the Jatts and the Kambojs. Among the Jatt wrestlers, there have been many celebrated names, such as Banta Singh Valtoha, Dara Singh, Randhawa (brother of Dara Singh), Jinda, Nirmal Singh, Chandgi Ram, Kikkar Singh Sandhu, etc. The wrestlers among the Jatts are considerably more than those among the Kambojs, since numerically, the Jatt population is over 35 times that of the Kambojs.[1][2][3]
The list below introduces a few well-known Kamboj wrestlers of the recent past about whom scant information has been collected from the words of some old people. Undoubtedly, there have been many more celebrated Kamboj wrestlers about whom not much authentic information was forthcoming and hence they have not been included in following Kamboj list.[4]
Pahlwaan Bhaag Singh was a famous wrestler of village Bohoru, District Sheikhupura, now in Pakistan. He is said to have fought numerous wrestling matches with famous wrestlers like Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam Pahlwaan. He was an equal match to these famous wrestlers of the yesteryear.[4]
Pahlwaan Jodh Singh was also from village Bohoru, District Sheikhupura, now Pakistan and was one of the famous Kamboj wrestlers of the pre-partition Punjab. He is also said to have fought several wrestling matches against great wrestlers like Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam, during the prime of his life. The outcome is said to have been indecisive or unsettled with each of them.[4]
Pahlwaan Santa Singh alias Santa Kharaasia was also contemporary of the celebrated wrestlers Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam and had fought wrestling matches with each of them. Santa Singh Kharasia belonged to Amritsar. It is related that he voluntarily used to drive a Kharaas (ox-driven flour mill) to grind the wheat for his co-villagers and thus, earned the nickname Santa Kharaasia.[5]
Pahlwaan Bawa belonged to village Malikpur situated near Lyallpur city, in Pakistan and was a well-known Kamboj wrestler of the pre-partition Punjab.[5]
Pahlwaan Natha Singh alias Natha also belonged to village Bohoru, District Sheikhura, now in Pakistan. He was a well-known wrestler of the then Punjab. He was the Ustaad (Guru) of the famous Kamboj Pahlwaan Hazara Singh, who also belonged to village Bohoru, Pakistan. Wrestler Natha Singh had received his training from Rustum-e-Zamana, wrestler Gama.[5]
Pahlwaan Hazara Singh was born in 1908 in village Bohoru, District Sheikhupura, Pakistan. He is considered the Ustaad Pahlwaan of his times. He was trained by Pahlwaan Natha Singh, who in turn received his training from Rusum-e-Zamana, wrestler Gama. Pahlwaan Hazara Singh had fought bouts in some of the biggest wrestling competitions of India and had earned a great name and fame for himself in the desi style kushtis as well. The famous Rustum-e-Hind, wrestler Kesar Singh, had been his disciple. Before partition, Hazara Singh had defeated renowned wrestlers Barkat of Naagan and Khushia of Mian Kotia. He fought kushti (wrestling) with famous wrestler Yunus in Gujranwala but the bout remained indecisive. He wrestled with famous Pahlwaan Gauns in Delhi, but again this match remained unsettled. Later, Hazara Singh defeated wrestler Bubbie of Amritsar in Bahawalpur. He fought against famous wrestler Gardawar, but the match remained undecided. He also fought kushti with famous wrestler Dhukhan of Bihar and defeated him in Bombay. He fought with the Pahlwaan Joti Sambherha of Maharashtra and defeated him also in Kohlapur. Later, Hazara Singh fought bouts with wrestler Subha of Lahore and Thakur Singh of Marhi Megha and defeated them both. Hazara Singh had other eminent disciples like Mohinder Singh alias Minda and Kartar Singh alias Kartara of village Chhape Ram Singh, district Amritsar in addition to his famous disciple, Rustma-i-Hind, Pahlwan Kesar Singh.[5]
Hazara Singh's daily diet is said to have included two pounds Ghee (butter), four pounds almonds and four pounds he-goat meat. Besides, he also used to take soup of three pounds of he-goat-meat daily. His chest measured 56 inches (142 cm), and the contours and shape of his thigh and upper arms are said to have been a finest model of the human body. It is related that many wrestlers were quite envious of the shape and build of his powerful and muscular thighs. After partition, Hazara Singh had moved to Kotli Naseer Khaan, District Amritsar where he continued his exercises and the wrestling until 1974. He also spent some years with his son Dr Jagir Singh in the US. He died several years ago in village Anaitpura at his daughter's house.[5]
Pahlwaan Sohan Singh was born in village Chele-wala, District Sheikhupura, now in Pakistan. His name is reckoned amongst the famous wrestlers of India. He was over 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall, with a very fine athletic body. He defeated wrestler Khushia, wrestler Harnam Singh of Varnhian, wrestler Mangal Singh of Targe of Tehsil Kasur/Lahore, as well as wrestler Gulam Mayudin, the nephew of the Rustum-e-Zaman wrestler Gama. In pre-partition days, Sohan Singh fought kushtis with famous Moslem wrestler Sardar Khan and easily thrashed him out. Sohan Singh also fought a bout with the famous wrestler Gunga but the match remained undecided. He wrestled with Puran Singh of Jakhepal and knocked him out. Sohan Singh had participated in all famous wrestling competitions (Chhinjs) held in pre-partition as well as early post-partition India. He spent his last days in Fatepur Rajputan, District Amritsar, where he died years ago.[6]
Pahlwaan Sohan Chuuhe-jhaarhia was born in village Chuuhe-jhaar, District Sheikhupur, now in Pakistan, and hence earned the surname Chuuhe-jhaarhia. He fought against the top-notch wrestlers of his times, knocking several of them out and earned a good name for himself and the Kamboj community. He died in village Kataria, District Jullundur, Punajab.[6].
Pahlwaan Bakhsheesh Singh alias Bakhsheesha belonged to village Talwandi Chaudharian, Tehsil Sultanpur Lodhi, District Kapurthala, Punjab and was a very well-known wrestler of 1950-1970. He was noted for his clean style of wrestling. Bakhsheesh Singh fought kushatis with renowned wrestlers of his times and had defeated famous Banta Valtohia, District Amritsar and Jinda of Badhni and several others. Bakhshisha was Ustaad (or Guru) of the Rustum-e-Hind wrestler Mehar Din. Bakhshish Singh had sold his land in Talwandi Chaudhurian in the early 1950s and bought a piece of agricultural land in district Jind, in Haryana. A story is related that once when he was doing his routine morning exercises at the common village well in Talwandi Chaudhurian, in the early hours of the day, a beautiful brahman girl of his village, finding a suitable opportunity, approached him and tried to seduce him, but the budding Pahlwaan Baksheesha sternly warned the girl and advised her to go home not fulfilling her carnal wishes. This incident abundantly demonstrates the character of this renowned Kamboj Pahlwaan. Bakhsheesh Singh continued to fight kushtis till 1974 and died probably in 1994.[6]
Pahlwaan Bhola Singh was a renowned wrestler of Montgomery, Pakistan and used to participate enthusiastically in all the wrestling competitions (Chhinjs) of the pre-partition Punjab.[6]
Pahlwaan Sher Singh alias Sheru was son of renowned wrestler Bhola Singh and was quite popular in the desi-style kushti.[6]
Pahlwaan Bagga Singh was the second son of wrestler Bhola Singh and was also quite popular in desi-style kushtis. However, not much authenticated information is available about these two brother wrestlers which could be furnished here.[6]
Pahlwaan Bishan Singh alias Bishna was a dedicated Kamboj wrestler of the post-partition era and steadfastly participated in numerous wrestling competitions of the Punjab. He belonged to Nawan Pind Donewal, near Lohian, District Jullundur.[7]
Pahlwaan Harnaam Singh Peethiwala was over 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall and could easily lift his competitors in kushati on his two arms above his head. This was his characteristic style in wrestling, it is said. He was so powerful in his physique that he could easily seize two sturdy humans from their necks and would not let them budge an inch. Interestingly, wrestler Harnaam Singh was also a freedom fighter of repute. When martial law was imposed in Amritsar in 1919 in the aftermath of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the angry Punjabis were burning down banks in Amritsar. One ill-fated English bank manager was firing upon the mob, from the second floor, when the bold and agitated Harnaam Singh went upstairs, seized the English Manager from his neck and waist and lifting him up his arms, hurled him down on the ground floor, where he instantly died. Besides, Harnaam Singh and his agitated friends were also involved in two more murders of the English officers viz: Mr Scot and Mr Thomson. Mr Thomson was burnt alive by the agitated arsonists. Harnaam Singh was arrested and charged with murders and arson and was tried by a special military court which awarded him the death penalty, which on special imperial orders, was later converted into Kala Paani. Harnaam Singh was accordingly sent to Andeman-Nicobar imprisonment. At Kala-Paani imprisonment, Harnam Singh caught malaria and due to the callous negligence of the jail authorities, he succumbed to his illness and died in the jail, while in exile. Another version of the story relates that the English jaoler at Andemaan had tortured Harnaam Singh to death and had covered the murder in connivance with an English doctor documenting it as a case of malarial death. Whatever the truth, this brave Kamboj hero will always be remembered by his community and the Punjabis, both as a fearless freedom fighter as well as a wrestler of repute.[8]
Pahlwaan Chhiba Mall Patasiyanwala was an Ustaad pahlwaan of yesteryear. He originally belonged to Lahore where he earned a great name and fame in desi kushti in undivided Punjab. After partition, Chhiba Mall migrated and settled in Delhi. He was a disciple of renowned Moslem wrestler Habib. Chhiba Mall easily defeated famous wrestlers Mahini Rehnuwala as well as Pahlwaan Chaaga, disciple of the famous wrestler Kallu. Chhiba Mall also fought and defeated Shera, a disciple of famous wrestler Chuni of Sialkote. Chhiba Mall set up an Akhara in Yamuna Bazar opposite Red Fort, in Delhi and devoutly trained numerous wrestlers who earned great name and fame for themselves and their families in their careers. Chhiba had numerous disciples (Shishya or Shagirds) amongst whom were included a few famous ones like Subha Singh, Mota Singh, Santokh Singh, Shinda, Muni Lal, Banta Singh, Taru Singh as well as the Rustum-e-Hind, Mehar Din. Chhiba had visited Pakistan several times after partition on invitation from his former colleagues in that country, and there he fought in many Dangals. On the occasion of the 18th free-style worldly championship in 1967, Zakir Hussain (President of India) especially honored this great wrestler. Chhiba Mall died in Delhi on Feb 2, 1971, after living a long age of 105 years.[9]
Pahlwaan Mohinder Singh belonged to village Chhape Ram Singh, District Amritsar, Punjab. He distinguished himself greatly for his characteristic wrestling style. Mohinder Singh had fought kushati (wrestling) with famous wrestlers of Delhi, Bombay and Kolhapur, etc. He was a disciple of famous wrestler Hazara Singh of Bohoru. Mohinder Singh had fought bouts with Imaam Baksash Jr in Jullundur and defeated him. He also fought with famous wrestler of Amritsar, Banta Singh Valtohia and was drawn equal.[10]
Pahlwaan Kartar Singh alias Kartara was a well-known Kamboj wrestler. He was a disciple of famous Kamboj wrestler Hazara Singh of Bohoru. Kartar Singh belonged to village Chhape Ram Singh, District Amritsar and fought in almost all famous competitions (Chhinjs) of Punjab and India. He was allotted his agricultural land from Pakistan in Malaut Mandi (Ferozepur) in Indian Punjab, where he spent the last days of life.[10]
Pahlwaan Harikishan Lal was the elder brother of famous Kamboj wrestler Chhiba Mall. This Lahore-born-and-raised Kamboj wrestler had also enthusiastically participated in numerous wrestling competitions of pre-partition/post-partition India. He had also participated in wrestling competitions staged in foreign countries.[10]
Pahlwaan Khushal Chand and Pahlwaan Nanak Chand were brothers and originally belonged to Lahore. Accompanied by Pahlwaan Harikishan Lal, both Khushal Chand and Nanak Chand took to a wrestling tour of European countries and had participated in several wrestling bouts staged in Italy, France, Germany, England and other countries of Europe. Famous wrestler Ram Murti had especially recruited these three Kamboj wrestlers to exhibit or display their excellently built athletic bodies in numerous foreign circus shows, held in several countries of the European sub-continent.[10]
There are many more Kamboj Pahlwaans of note, such as Harbhajan Singh of village Sapan Wala, Swaran Singh Chandi of Anupgarh, Tahla Ram of village Rano Wal, Malava Ram, Hukam Chand of village Baluane Wala, and Mohri Ram of village Beri Wala, etc. Among the Muslim Kamboh (Kamboj) wrestlers, a few famous names which come to mind are Rustam-e-Hind Chanan Din Kamboh, Pehlwan Fazal Din Phaija s/o Chaudhury Mohammad Shafi (Lahori), Pehlwan Maula Bakhsh (Lahori) and Ustad Mela, etc. There undoubtedly have been numerous famous Kamboj wrestlers in the recent and remote past, and still there are many more, currently active but for want of sufficient authentic information, they have not been included in the list.[10]