Wrestling: THE GREAT GAMA PAHALWAN

Date of Birth:

22 May 1878

Place:

Satna, Punjab, British India

Died:

23 May 1960

Place:

Lahore, Pakistan

Gama Pahalwan managed to get the Indian wrestling style presented in the international games. He is solely responsible for earning international fame for this form of wrestling and was given the title of “Rustam-e-Hind”. The nuances and tricks of the game were always at his fingertips.

A wrestling match was to be organized in 1910 and the champion of the match was to be conferred with the title of “Rustam-e-Hind”.

Gama Pahalwan managed to defeat all the other wrestlers simply and won the title of “Rustam-e-Hind”. He played his last wrestling match with J.J. Peterson, whom he defeated in 45 seconds flat.

He was in the game of wrestling for years and was continually a winner. His most significant characteristic was his self-respect which was very strong.

He had the excellence of befriending people with ease. The sole credit of bringing Indian wrestling to the international platform and making it popular goes to Gama Pahalwan.

Gama Pahalwan Achievements:

• He brought recognition to Indian wrestling on the International Platform.
• Gama Pahalwan managed to defeat all the other wrestlers in the wrestling matches easily and won the title of “Rustam-e-Hind”.
• He defeated all the national level wrestlers during his time.
• He was in the game of wrestling for years and was always a winner.

Gama Pahalwan died on 23^rd May 1960 after a fairly prolonged illness in Lahor, Pakistan.

He was given land by the government but he still struggled to pay for treatment for his heart and asthma. G. D. Birla, an industrialist and wrestling fan, donated ₹2,000 and a monthly pension of ₹300, and the Government of Pakistan increased the pension to Gama Pahalwan and supported his medical costs until his death.