Mardani khel

Mardani khel

Statue of Baji Prabhu in a mardani khel dual-sword stance

Statue of Baji Prabhu in a mardani khel dual-sword stance
Also known as Mardani khela
Focus Weaponry
Country of origin India India
Famous practitioners Shivaji Raje Bhosale
Tanaji Malusare
Murar Baji
Baji Prabhu
Olympic sport No

Mardani khel is a weapon-based Indian martial art from Maharashtra. It is particularly known for its use of the uniquely Indian pata (sword) and vita (corded lance).

History

The early history of mardani khel as a distinct system is difficult to trace prior to the 1600s, but it is said to owe its development to the particular geographic conditions of Maharashtra. A hilly region characterized by valleys and caves, the inhabitants became expert horsemen who favoured light armour and highly mobile cavalry units during war.[1] Whether they began as kshatriya or shudra is unclear, but the Maratha's reputation was that of a comparatively rustic warrior people, in contrast to the more "boisterous" Panjabis and Rajputs.[2] Their heavily martial culture and propensity for the spear is mentioned as early as the 7th century by the Chinese monk Xuanzang.

"The climate is hot, the disposition of the people is honest and simple, they are of medium build, and of a stern, vindictive character. To their benefactor they are grateful, to their enemies relentless. If they are insulted, they will risk their life to salvage themselves. If they are asked to help one in distress, they willingly agree to. If they are going to seek revenge, they first give their enemy warning, then each being armed they attack each other with lances. When one turns to flee, the other pursues him, but they do not kill a man down (a person who submits). The country provides for a band of champions to the number of several hundred. Each time they are about to engage in conflict, they intoxicate themselves with wine, and then one man with lance in hand will meet ten thousand and challenges them in fight."[3]

According to Xuanzang, this band of champions was seemingly undefeatable in battle. "No enemy can stand before them", and this allowed their king Pulakeshin II to "treat his neighbours with contempt". Denied his rightful place on the throne by his uncle Mangalesha, Pulakeshin organised an army of warriors and led them against his relative. Feudatories challenged Pulakeshin after his coronation, but his army was able to put down all rivals. After further enlarging his fighting force, Pulakeshin embarked on a series of conquests, extending Chalukya reign across most of the Dakhin plateau. In 630 AD he confidently defied the emperor Harsha Vardhana who sent all his troops and the ablest commanders but failed to impress Pulakeshin's gladiators.

Statue of Murar Baji wielding a pair of talwar

Mardani khel began its rise to prominence during the early 1600s when the Dakhin sultanates relied on the guerilla tactics of Maratha units led by Shahaji. His son Shivaji Raje Bhosale learned the art of fighting from a young age and by his adolescence was already proficient in the use of various arms.[1] His weapon of choice was a 4-foot sword named Bhawani.[1] At the age of 17, Shivaji took advantage of the chaotic affairs of the Dakhin and subverted Bijapuri authority to strike it out on his own. The Maratha community, once scattered across the Deccan, united under Shivaji to create an independent kingdom in the Western Ghats. A Hindu confederacy during a time of intolerant Muslim rule meant that the Marathas were constantly under threat from the Mughals.[4] With limited access to Mughal firearms, they instead capitalized on the local terrain which was unsuitable for the heavy artillery of the invaders.[5] As a result, the Mughals were often forced into hand-to-hand combat, giving the Marathas an advantage despite their comparatively light armour.

As with many of India's fighting systems, mardani khel gradually declined in importance during the colonial period when firearms were more widely adopted. The art never died out, however, as British colonists of the 18th century recognized the military qualities of the Maratha people. Sir G Malet wrote that even after the introduction of guns, few Maratha soldiers carried any weapons other than two swords. In 1768 the Maratha Light Infantry regiment was formed to protect the British East India Company's possessions in Bombay. Existing even to the present day, it is the oldest and most renowned regiment in the Indian army,[6] and formerly included aspects of mardani khel in its training regimen. Their battle cry has remained unchanged since the time of its founding - Bol Sri Chhatrapati Shivaji-Maharaja ki jai (Cry victory to Emperor Shivaji), a tribute to the founder of the Maratha Empire.

Weapons

Marathi weapons

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 K. L. Khurana (1993). Medieval India. Agra: Lakshmi Narain Agarwal. ISBN 81-85778-15-9.
  2. ↑ Banerjee, Sikata (2005). Make Me a Man!: Masculinity, Hinduism, and Nationalism in India. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. p. 33. ISBN 9780791463673. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  3. ↑ Destruction of Maharashtra and the Marathas in the first half of seventh century "Travels of Hiuen Tsang, " Vol. IV, Samual Beal, P, 449.
  4. ↑ A History of Warfare: Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (January 1983), ISBN 978-0688016456
  5. ↑ John Keay (2000). India: A History. New Delhi: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-255717-7.
  6. ↑ The Gaysh: A History of the Aden Protectorate Levies 1927-61 and the Federal ... - Frank Edwards - Google Books
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