Blog
Kushti Heritage
The history, traditions and culture of Indian wrestling.
Langot, Gada and Jori: The Traditional Equipment of Kushti Explained
A langot is the traditional cotton loincloth worn by kushti wrestlers, a gada is a weighted mace used both for training and as a trophy, and a jori is a pair of wooden clubs swung to build shoulder strength — together forming the core traditional equipment of kushti training and competition.
What Is Mallakhamb? The Discipline That Builds a Wrestler's Strength
Mallakhamb is a traditional Indian discipline in which a practitioner performs strength, balance and gymnastic postures on a fixed wooden pole or hanging rope. Historically practised alongside kushti to build a wrestler's grip, core strength and balance, it has since developed into its own competitive sport.
The History of Wrestling in India: From Malla-yuddha to Modern Kushti
Indian wrestling has roots in malla-yuddha, a combat wrestling tradition described in ancient Indian texts, which fused with Persian koshti pahlevani during the Mughal era to produce kushti — the earth-wrestling discipline still practised in akharas across India today.
Kushti Glossary: Akhara, Talim, Garadi Mane and Every Term Fans Should Know
This glossary explains the core vocabulary of kushti wrestling — from akhara and talim (wrestling schools) to dangal (tournament), langot (attire), gada (mace/trophy) and daaw (technique) — so newcomers can follow the sport's culture and terminology with confidence.
What Is Kushti? The Complete Guide to India's Traditional Wrestling
Kushti is the traditional form of wrestling practised across the Indian subcontinent, contested on a prepared earth surface called mitti rather than a mat. Wrestlers, known as pehlwans, train under a guru in a wrestling school called an akhara, following a strict regimen of diet and discipline.