Gatka

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Gatka: The Sikh martial art form.

The basic principle of Gatka is the 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

Gatka is the traditional martial art of the Sikhs. 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. 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.


The sixth guru reportedly led a militant life to protect his followers from the Mughals. During his time Gatka warriors successfully defended the Golden Temple of Amritsar from a Mughal siege. 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.


The basic principle of Gatka is the unification of the mind, body and spirit in a rhythm of life to train a saint-soldier. 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.
  • 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.


Baba Budha Ji trained an army of Sikhs in Gatka called the Akali Sena or Budha Dal. The soldiers were called Nihangs and to this day it is the Nihang Sikhs who carry on the martial tradition. They are generally nomadic and are fully trained in Gatka, which they perform at fairs. It is their duty to protect Sikhism and anybody who asks for protection. This art is taught at most Gurudwaras though it is no longer considered essential to the Sikh way of life.



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