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[[Image:GatkaRider.jpg|300px|right]]
[[Image:Asur.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Baba Budha Ji adorns young Guru Hargobind with two swords - one of Miri and the other of Piri.]]


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'''Gatka''' is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern India for many thousands of years. Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master. Today, this art exists exclusively amongst the Sikhs who have passed down the flamboyant techniques through generations, since their sixth Guru, [[Guru Hargobind]] wore the two swords of [[Miri]] and [[Piri]].  
'''Gatka''' is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern India for many thousands of years. Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master. Today, this art exists exclusively amongst the Sikhs who have passed down the flamboyant techniques through generations, since their sixth Guru, [[Guru Hargobind]] wore the two swords of [[Miri]] (temporal, worldly) and [[Piri]] (spiritual, transcendental).  
 




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[[Image:GatkaRider.jpg|300px|right]]
=='''Gatka:''' The Sikh martial art form.==  
=='''Introduction'''==  


* ''''Gatka is the traditional martial art of the [http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=DEFINATIONS#...SIKH:_Any_One.2C_who_calls_himself_a_sikh....3E Sikhs].''' It is based on the basic principle of unification of the mind, body and spirit in a rhythm of life to train a '''[http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=DEFINATIONS#.3E...SAINT:_TOUCH-NOTHING_SAINT.E2.80.99_EMANCIPATES_EVERY_ONE.and_IS_:-- saint-soldier.]'''  
* ''''Gatka is the traditional martial art of the [http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=DEFINATIONS#...SIKH:_Any_One.2C_who_calls_himself_a_sikh....3E Sikhs].''' It is based on the basic principle of unification of the mind, body and spirit in a rhythm of life to train a '''[http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=DEFINATIONS#.3E...SAINT:_TOUCH-NOTHING_SAINT.E2.80.99_EMANCIPATES_EVERY_ONE.and_IS_:-- saint-soldier.]'''  


[[Image:Gatka.jpg|thumb|Sikh man doing gatka in Anandpur Sahib during the Hola Mahola Festival]]
[[Image:Gatka.jpg|thumb|Sikh man doing gatka in Anandpur Sahib during the Hola Mahola Festival]]
When learning the art, you go from bare handed combat to using various [[shastar]]s (weapons) such as [[kirpan]]s, sticks, lathis, marotis, nun chucks, axes and a lot more.
The first shastar that a student will use is a stick normally made out of bamboo. With the stick you are taught all of the basic physical movements and the mental attitude required. Once these techniques have been learnt, these can be applied with other [[shastar]]s as you gain more experience.
[[Kirpan]]s come in different shapes and sizes and can also come in differnet styles. These are some the kirpans we practice with. Such as the thega or a normal kirpan for advanced students they may even use open headed kirpans. Some students do not chose to use kirpans and chose to pick a khanda , a double edged sword normally double handed. When you go onto to sparing with shastar you are then introduced to shields, they vary alot some have spikes on them, some are very basic and are only used for defence.
The akhara doesn't just use khanda and kirpans, but some students use nun-chucks , this weapon is used by many and was made famous by Bruce Lee a famous Chinese martial artist.
Sparing is a different thing all together and is very dangerous, sparing with kirpans and axes. Some shastar that we did use but wore either in our kamar kasa or around our dastars, such as a chakar .
Some insturments used in war were not even weapons such as the ranjeet nagara, the drum of victory, was used to boast the morale of the Sikhs going to battle, during battle and coming out of battle. Even bani was used to help in battle the bani helped even the weakest Sikhs to fight heroiclly, such as Shastar Mahma from the Dasam Granth.
We have searched and brought together pictures of shastar and nihangs singhs for the sangat to look at, and be inspired and also to see what one part of sikh is like.


==Legends==
==Legends==
Line 87: Line 105:
* [http://www.atlantamartialarts.com/styles/gatka.htm Article on Gatka by Arun Singh]
* [http://www.atlantamartialarts.com/styles/gatka.htm Article on Gatka by Arun Singh]
* [http://www.sikhwomen.com/sikhism/culture_arts/gatka.htm www.sikhwomen.com]
* [http://www.sikhwomen.com/sikhism/culture_arts/gatka.htm www.sikhwomen.com]
* [http://www.gatka.co.uk/index.htm www.gatka.co.uk]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatka Wikipedia on Gatka]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatka Wikipedia on Gatka]
* [http://www.zyworld.com/enembius/sfc/Gatka.htm www.zyworld.com]
* [http://www.zyworld.com/enembius/sfc/Gatka.htm www.zyworld.com]

Revision as of 16:05, 17 March 2006

Baba Budha Ji adorns young Guru Hargobind with two swords - one of Miri and the other of Piri.

Gatka is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern India for many thousands of years. Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master. Today, this art exists exclusively amongst the Sikhs who have passed down the flamboyant techniques through generations, since their sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind wore the two swords of Miri (temporal, worldly) and Piri (spiritual, transcendental).


The Sikhs have been responsible for the revival of this early art ensuring it's survival despite mass persecution of the native population in India by foreign invaders like the Mughals and others for many hundreds of years.


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. It is a system that can only be used in defence as per:

"When all other means have failed, it is proper to take the sword in one’s hand",

Guru Gobind Singh in Zafarnama


In addition to giving the student defensive skills, it also helps the individual with other aspects of their life: makes the mind alert and responsive, maintains the body in a near perfect condition and makes soul fearless, compassionate and tranquil.


The techniques involved are extremely effective for defence and attack as well as visually spectacular. The Sikhs mastered Gatka and perfected its use in battle. Many battles were won by the Sikhs, despite almost always numbering far fewer than the opposite forces. The techniques within Gatka were combined with the spiritual practices of the Sikhs to create a perfect fighting system. Opposing forces have documented how awesome these Sikhs were at battle!


GatkaRider.jpg

Introduction

  • 'Gatka is the traditional martial art of the Sikhs. It is based on the basic principle of unification of the mind, body and spirit in a rhythm of life to train a saint-soldier.
Sikh man doing gatka in Anandpur Sahib during the Hola Mahola Festival

When learning the art, you go from bare handed combat to using various shastars (weapons) such as kirpans, sticks, lathis, marotis, nun chucks, axes and a lot more.


The first shastar that a student will use is a stick normally made out of bamboo. With the stick you are taught all of the basic physical movements and the mental attitude required. Once these techniques have been learnt, these can be applied with other shastars as you gain more experience.


Kirpans come in different shapes and sizes and can also come in differnet styles. These are some the kirpans we practice with. Such as the thega or a normal kirpan for advanced students they may even use open headed kirpans. Some students do not chose to use kirpans and chose to pick a khanda , a double edged sword normally double handed. When you go onto to sparing with shastar you are then introduced to shields, they vary alot some have spikes on them, some are very basic and are only used for defence.

The akhara doesn't just use khanda and kirpans, but some students use nun-chucks , this weapon is used by many and was made famous by Bruce Lee a famous Chinese martial artist.

Sparing is a different thing all together and is very dangerous, sparing with kirpans and axes. Some shastar that we did use but wore either in our kamar kasa or around our dastars, such as a chakar .

Some insturments used in war were not even weapons such as the ranjeet nagara, the drum of victory, was used to boast the morale of the Sikhs going to battle, during battle and coming out of battle. Even bani was used to help in battle the bani helped even the weakest Sikhs to fight heroiclly, such as Shastar Mahma from the Dasam Granth.

We have searched and brought together pictures of shastar and nihangs singhs for the sangat to look at, and be inspired and also to see what one part of sikh is like.


Legends

Gift from Rajputs

  • According to one legend, the Rajputs practised a martial art based on the Shastar Vidya, a branch of the Vedas. When the sixth guru Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib helped the Rajputs to free 52 Rajput princes who had been taken prisoner by the Mughals, the Rajputs in gratitude taught their martial art to the Sikhs.

Gift from Lord TRUTH

According to another legend, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, learnt the martial art from God. He then taught it to his trusted follower Baba Budha Ji, who in turn trained the sixth Guru.


6th Guru

  • The sixth guru led a soldierly life to infuse the spirit of self respect & honour among the hapless peasents, habituated to living as slaves for centuries & exploited by the Mughal invaders. During his time Gatka warriors successfully defended the Golden Temple of Amritsar from a Mughal siege.

10th Guru

  • The tenth and last guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh was a master of Gatka and established the Khalsa (brotherhood) tradition, which unified the Sikh community into a powerful fighting force. The preaching of the previous nine Gurus was contained in the Adi Granth or Guru Granth Sahib to which he added the Sarab Lo Granth and the Dhasam Granth containing the martial traditions.
Gatka demo where blindfolded swordsman slices clean through a melon resting on a collegues chest. Picture:www.telegraph.co.uk

The Art

  • Gatka is based on a simple four-step movement called the Pantra. This is a balance and co-ordination exercise and is to be practised repeatedly. The movement requires equal and simultaneous use of both hands and makes one ambidextrous. This basic movement is followed when using all weapons and imparts impeccable balance to the practitioner.
  • Lathi - The lathi or quarterstaff is a wooden stick as tall as the warrior and made of oak.
  • Barcha — The spear is a long shafted weapon and has a hook at the spearhead used to pull away the opponent's shield.
  • Chakram - The chakram is a flat steel ring, five to 12 inches in diameter and with a sharp outer edge. It is held between the thumb and index finger and thrown towards the opponent with an underhand flick.
  • Katar - The Katar is a double-edged and straight bladed dagger used to pierce armour. The handle has two sidebars to provide protection and a better grip.


  • Khanda - This is a typical Indian sword and has a broad, straight blade, usually widening towards the point, which is blunt. Sometimes it is also double-edged.
  • Kirpan - The Kirpan is a short curved dagger and all Sikh men are required to carry it by tradition.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, covers her eyes next to Britain's Prince Charles while watching a Gatka demonstration Picture: Reuters
  • Tapar - The battle-axe is very distinct from the normal axe and sometimes has a dagger concealed in the handle.
  • Talwar - The sword is usually curved with a thin and sharp blade. The Talwar is greatly respected and treated with care.
  • Tir Kaman - The bow and arrow is a potent weapon. The arrow is made of steel heads with reed shafts. The bow is also composite and made of layers of wood and steel.
  • Chakar - The Chakar looks like a wagon wheel with weights at the end of each spoke. The chakar is wielded by grasping the centre and spinning it around, causing damage upon anyone coming too close to the spinning weights.

History Live & Kicking

  • Baba Budha Ji trained an army of Sikhs in Gatka called the Akali Sena or Budha Dal. Traditional Sikhs called Nihangs, who stand by their outlook & attire of Gurus' times to this day have carefully preserved this grand martial tradition. They are generally nomadic and are fully trained in Gatka, which they perform at fairs. This art is taught at Gurdwaras with the aim of keeping alive the historically prized soldierly spirit of Sikh Society.


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