When we usually discuss Indian martial arts, all we tend to mention is Kalaripayattu. While reading about it, I was intrigued to learn about another Indian martial art that traces its origins to the great Maratha empire. It is the ‘Mardani Khel’. Even though this sport is called Mardani Khel (loosely translated into the masculine sport), women have always been at the forefront of training. This traditional Maratha martial art involves hand-to-hand combat with opponents using weapons such as swords, spears, lances, and daggers.
Tracing Its History
Around the 1730s, the Purdah System was widely practiced in India. During that time, a woman commander-in-chief, Sarsenapati Umabaisaheb Dabhade, led the Marathas to victory against the Mughals in the Battle of Ahmedabad near Bhadra Fort. Following the victory, she was honored by Maharaj Shahu with the hereditary 80 tolas (a tola was 12gm then) gold anklet.
Umabaisaheb was well-versed in military warfare. Following the deaths of her husband and eldest son (in different battles), she took command of Shahu Maharaj's army as the first and only woman commander-in-chief of the Marathas. From an early age, she was trained in Mardani Khel, horse riding, and warfare. Her guru was also a woman – Rani Tarabai, the wife of Kolhapur’s ruler Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Bhosale. Tarabai ensured that every man, woman, and child was trained in Mardani Khel. As a result of the efforts of such individuals, this martial art has been able to survive to date without much documentation or government support.
Weaponry
In Mardani Khel, you can learn 14 different ways to wield a sword, stick, or weapon of your choice (including the weapons used in Maratha Warfare). There are some fascinating weapons used in Maratha warfare, like the Madhu, which looks like an animal horn and has a spear attached to one end. The British called them 'Maratha Boomerang'.
Training For Mardani Khel
Just like any other martial art, the preparation for Mardani Khel also involves strength training and fitness. The learner is first taught exercises to strengthen their muscles and gain flexibility. Exercises such as Surya namaskar, push-ups, and sit-ups are done.
Once the learner is fit enough, they are taught movements with the lathi or stick. Upon mastering the stick movements, they are taught to use bhala (spear), dand-patta (gauntlet sword), bow and arrow, and other weapons. All these weapons are made based on the height and weight of the user.
In the end, they are taught fari-gadga, which involves learning defense and attack moves using a leather shield and a stick and throwing the vita.
Costume
The women wear lugda or kashta, the traditional nine-yard Nauvari saree tied in dhoti style, and leather mojaris on their feet. And, the men wear mandchol, a thigh-length tunic, and knee-length breeches under it. They wear a headdress called mundasa and leather mojaris.
The Present Situation and The Way Forward
Kolhapur still remains the heart of this martial art. Various ‘talims’ or training centers have been established in and around Kohlapur, training men, women, and children in this martial art. The Kolhapur municipal body has introduced new programs to encourage youngsters to learn this martial art, especially women, for their self-defense. But the practice is limited to some regions of Maharashtra.
Although Mardani Khel is of cultural importance, the practitioners feel that practicing it as a sport is not feasible as it has no recognition or certification as a sport compared to other indigenous martial arts of India. Furthermore, this martial art is treated as performing arts and has been exhibited in various sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games, Women’s Cricket World Cup, etc.
The only way to preserve this martial art is for more and more young people to train themselves in it, for researchers to document this martial art and its techniques, and for the government to recognize it formally.
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* The pictures are not owned by me. It is purely for educational purposes only.
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