Pehlwani, Preparing For Wrestling Popular In India

Pehlwani (Urdu پہلوانی; Hindi: पहलवानी; or kushti; Urdu کشتی; Hindi कुश्ती) is an Indian style of wrestling popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It was developed in the Mughal Era throgh a synthesis of native malla-yuddha and Persian Varzesh-e Pahlavani. A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a Pehlwan, or a Pahalwan, while teachers are known as Ustaad, or guru for Hindu teachers. The undefeated champions of India hold the title Rustam-i-Hind, meaning "the Rostam of India", denoting Rostam the hero of the Persian Shahnameh. Through time Western training methods and nomenclature from Iran and Europe were introduced into Pehlwani. Wrestling competitions, known as dangals, held in villages can have their own rules variations. Usually a win is awarded by decision from the panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.