The Great Gama : A Legend in Indian Wrestling History
Wrestling in India has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. Wrestling, or kushti, is more than just a sport in India, it is a way of life, a culture and a tradition. Among the many wrestlers who have graced the Indian wrestling scene, one name stands out as a unique legend : The Great Gama. He was an undefeated champion of India and the world, who dominated the wrestling arena for more than five decades. He was an amazing man who revolutionized the game and set new standards of excellence. He was also a symbol of pride and patriotism, representing the strength and spirit of India. He was the great Gamma, and he had no match.
This article will explore why Gama stands as a unique figure in the country's wrestling history, and what factors contributed to his uniqueness and legacy.
The Rise of The Great Gama
The Great Gama was born Ghulam Mohammad Bakhsh in 1878 in a village in Punjab, British India. He belonged to a family of wrestlers, with an illustrious lineage and reputation. His father, Muhammad Aziz Bakhsh, was a renowned wrestler and a protector of the Maharaja of Datia. His grandfather Noon Pehalwan was also a famous wrestler and soldier of the Sikh Empire. Gama inherited the wrestling talent and spirit of his ancestors and was introduced to the traditional Indian wrestling style, Pehlwani, at an early age. Pahalwani, also known as Kushti, is a form of wrestling that originated in ancient India, and is based on grappling and submission techniques. It is also a way of life that involves physical, mental and spiritual discipline and a strict code of conduct and morality.Pehalwan trains in a mud pit called an akhada, where they perform various drills and exercises, and follow a strict diet and regimen. For Gama, wrestling was not just a sport, but his passion and his identity.
Gama's wrestling talent was evident from an early age, as he participated and won various competitions and tournaments. He made his public debut at the age of 10, when he competed in a strongman competition that included over 400 wrestlers and participants. He impressed the audience and the judges with his patience and dedication and was declared the winner of the competition. He continued to hone his skills and challenge himself and at the age of 19, he challenged the current Indian wrestling champion Rahim Baksh Sultaniwala, who was much taller and heavier than him. The match was held in 1898, and lasted two and a half hours, but neither wrestler could gain the upper hand. The match was declared a draw, but Gama gained the respect and admiration of Rahim Bakhsh, who became his mentor and friend. Gama also gained attention and recognition from the wrestling community, and was invited to compete in various prestigious events and venues. He defeated many famous wrestlers, such as Ahmed Baksh, Kikar Singh, Imam Baksh (his elder brother) and Balram Hiraman. He traveled to different parts of India and also abroad and displayed his skills and strengths. He became the undisputed champion of India, and earned the title of Rustam-e-Hind, or Champion of India.
Undefeated Streak and Global Recognition
The Great Gama's fame and reputation reached new heights when he entered the international arena and challenged the best wrestlers in the world. In 1909, he left for England with his brother Imam Baksh and his manager Hakim Chand. He issued an open challenge to any wrestler who could stay in the ring with him for more than 10 minutes. He also offered a prize of £250 to whoever defeated him. However, he found it difficult to find opponents, as many of the top wrestlers of the time, such as George Hackenschmidt, Frank Gotch and Stanislaus Zbyszko, refused or avoided facing him. He managed to wrestle some lesser-known wrestlers like Maurice Dariaz, Benjamin Roller, and John Lemm and defeated them all with ease. He also competed in the John Bull World Championship tournament, where he faced Zbyszko in the final. The match lasted more than two hours, but Zbyszko refused to engage with Gama and avoided him. The match was stopped due to darkness and rescheduled for the next day. However, Zbyszko failed to appear, and was stripped of the match and title. Gama was crowned World Heavyweight Champion, and received a diamond-studded belt from Lord Curzon, the former Viceroy of India.
Gama's victory in England established him as the best wrestler in the world, and he continued to defend his title and his honor against any challengers. He returned to India in 1910 and was welcomed as a national hero. He was also invited to wrestle in other countries such as France, Germany, Russia and Turkey. He faced and defeated some of the most formidable wrestlers of his era, such as Jesse Peterson, Johan Lemm, Ivan Poddubny and Ahmed Madrali. He also had a rematch with Zbyszko in Patiala, India in 1928, where he defeated him in less than a minute. He also had a famous rivalry with Rahim Bakhsh's nephew, Imam Bakhsh, who was considered his nearest rival in terms of skill and strength. They wrestled each other many times and each match was a spectacle of wrestling excellence. However, Gama was always victorious and maintained his undefeated record.
Gama's wrestling career lasted for more than 50 years, during which he did not lose a single match. He never retired from wrestling and was always ready to accept any challenge. He was considered invincible and unbeatable and was revered as the greatest wrestler of all time. He was also a humble and generous man, who respected his opponents and helped his fellow wrestlers. He was a true champion both in and out of the ring.
Gamma’s influence on Indian wrestling culture
The Great Gama's impact on the world of wrestling remains immense and undeniable, as he revolutionized the sport and set new standards of excellence. He was admired and respected by wrestlers and fans alike and influenced many future champions and legends. He was also a source of inspiration and motivation for many athletes and sportspeople who wanted to emulate his skills and achievements. He was also a role model and mentor to many young and aspiring wrestlers who looked up to him and learned from him. He was also a pioneer and innovator, introducing new methods and techniques of training and wrestling. He was also a promoter and supporter of wrestling and helped popularize and spread the sport to different regions and countries.
However, Gama's influence was not limited to the wrestling field but also extended to the cultural and social spheres. He was a symbol of pride and patriotism for the Indian people living under the colonial rule of the British Empire. He represented the strength and spirit of India and challenged the supremacy and dominance of the British. They also embraced the values and traditions of Indian culture and demonstrated the richness and diversity of Indian heritage. He was also a bridge and bond between different communities and religions, as Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others respected and admired him. He was also a supporter of peace and harmony and avoided any political or religious conflict. He was also a philanthropist and humanitarian, donating his money and time to various causes and charities. He was also a humble and simple man, who lived a modest and respectable life. He was a cultural icon and national treasure who transcended the boundaries of wrestling and became a legend.
Factors contributing to the uniqueness of Gamma
The Great Gama was a unique and extraordinary figure in the history of wrestling and the sport, and there are many factors that contributed to his status and legacy. Some of these factors are :
● Pehlwani Tradition : Gama was a product and practitioner of the ancient and traditional Indian wrestling style, Pehlwani, which gave him an edge and advantage over his opponents. Wrestling was not only a sport but also a culture and philosophy, which shaped Gama's personality and character. Wrestling taught him the values of discipline, dedication and respect and the skills of strength, endurance and flexibility. Pahalwani also gave him a distinctive and diverse repertoire of wrestling techniques and moves, which were different from and superior to Western styles of wrestling. Pahalwani was the foundation and essence of Gama's wrestling career, and he remained faithful to it till the end.
● Social context : Gama was born and brought up in a time and place that were challenging and turbulent, and this influenced his motivation and ambition. He lived during the era of colonial oppression and exploitation, where the Indian people were subjugated and humiliated by the British rulers. He also witnessed the first war of independence in 1857 and the subsequent oppression and atrocities by the British. He also experienced the hardships and poverty of his family and village and the lack of opportunities and resources for his development. These factors instilled in them a sense of pride and patriotism and a desire to prove themselves and their country.
He also saw wrestling as a way to pursue his passion and his potential and achieve his dreams and his glory. He also faced many obstacles and difficulties in his wrestling journey, such as finding opponents, traveling abroad and facing discrimination and prejudice. These factors fueled his determination and perseverance, and his hunger and thirst for victory. He also received many opportunities and rewards for his wrestling career, such as recognition, fame and money. These factors enhanced his confidence and charisma, and his generosity and humility. In his wrestling journey he encountered many influences and inspirations such as his mentors, teammates and opponents. These factors enriched his knowledge and experience and his respect and admiration. He also witnessed many changes and developments in his wrestling journey, such as the evolution of the sport, the emergence of new styles and techniques, and the growth of audiences and media. These factors challenged their adaptability and creativity, and their innovation and leadership. He was a product and participant of his time and place, and he shaped them and was shaped by them.
● Training Philosophy : Gama was a master and pioneer in his training philosophy, which gave him an edge and advantage over his opponents. He followed a strict and rigorous routine, which included both physical and mental exercises. He trained every day regardless of the weather or conditions and never missed a single session. He performed thousands of Hindu squats and Hindu pushups, which are traditional Indian exercises that develop strength, stamina and flexibility. He also lifted heavy weights such as stone slabs and maces and practiced various wrestling moves and techniques. He also wore a leather equipment, which weighed 200 pounds, and ran several miles with it. He also had a unique way of training his grip strength, which involved digging his fingers into an earthen pot filled with butter and then squeezing the butter out. He also practiced meditation and breathing exercises to calm his mind and focus his attention. He also consumed large quantities of wholesome and nutritious food such as milk, butter, almonds and fruits. He abstained from meat, alcohol and tobacco and followed a vegetarian and satvik diet. He slept at least eight hours every night and avoided any stress or distraction. He believed that a healthy body and a healthy mind were essential for a successful wrestler and he stuck to his principles. He also experimented and innovated his training methods and introduced new exercises and techniques. He also shared and taught his training methods to his fellow wrestlers, and helped them improve their skills and performance. He was a visionary and leader of his training philosophy and he followed it till the end.
The Quest for Another Gama
The Great Gama was a unique and extraordinary figure in the history of wrestling and sports, and after his death in 1960 there has been no one like him. He was a phenomenon and a marvel who dominated the wrestling arena for more than half a century. He was a legend and myth who transcended the boundaries of wrestling and became a cultural icon. He was the great Gamma, and he had no match. The search for the second Gama has been a long and elusive one, and replicating a personality like his in modern Indian wrestling is very difficult.
Conclusion
The Great Gama was a unique and extraordinary figure in the history of wrestling and sports, and left a lasting impact on Indian wrestling. He was the undefeated champion of India and the world, who dominated the wrestling arena for more than half a century. He was an amazing man who revolutionized the game and set new standards of excellence. He was also a symbol of pride and patriotism, representing the strength and spirit of India. He was the great Gamma, and he had no match.
