https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Shastar_VidyaShastar Vidya - Revision history2026-09-07T00:19:50ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shastar_Vidya&diff=159000&oldid=previmported>Sphilbrick: RD1 completed2021-08-07T13:59:08Z<p>RD1 completed</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Fighting systems of the Indian subcontinent}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}<br />
{{Infobox martial art<br />
| logo = <br />
| logocaption =<br />
| logosize =<br />
| image = <br />
| imagecaption = <br />
| imagesize =<br />
| name = Shastar Vidiya<br />
| aka = Sanatan Shastar Vidiya<br />
| focus = [[Strike (attack)|Striking]]<br />
| hardness = [[Full-contact sport]], [[semi-contact]], [[light-contact]]<br />
| country = [[India]]<br />
| first = [[India]], ''ca.'' Ancient<br />
| firstlabel = First developed<br />
| contact = Yes<br />
| mgender = Yes<br />
| category = Martial art<br />
| famous_pract = [[Nidar Singh Nihang]] (real name Surjit Singh Bains)<br />
}}<br />
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'''Sanatan Shastar Vidya''' (Punjabi: ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਦਿਆ, {{lang-hi|शस्तर विद्या}}) is a centuries-old Sanatan battlefield art which translates to "the science of weapons".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15480741|title=The only living master of a dying martial art|last=Hegarty|first=Stephanie|date=2011-10-30|access-date=2019-04-11|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1vqdZby8dDwC&pg=PA241 | title=Sikhs in Europe: Migration, Identities, and Representations | publisher=Routledge | last=Myrvold | first=Kristina | year=2011 | pages=241 | isbn=9781317055068}}</ref><br />
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== History ==<br />
The battle art has existed in the subcontinent for thousands of years and been preserved by people from many different cultures and religions. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-sikh-martialarts-idUSTRE56M2KD20090723|title=British Sikhs revive deadly art banned by the Raj|date=2009-07-23|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-04-11|language=en}}</ref> Since the mid-16th century, the Sikh tribes of the Punjab became the chief custodians and masters of this fighting system. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/ancient-but-deadly-the-return-of-shastar-vidiya-1679002.html|title=Ancient but deadly: the return of shastar vidiya|date=2009-05-05|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref> In North India it is believed that this art is the father of all martial arts.<br />
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After the Anglo-Sikh wars the art was banned by the new British administrators of India in the mid-19th century. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/81513/ancient-martial-arts-training-india/|title=Ancient but Deadly: 8 Indian Martial Art Forms and Where You Can Learn Them|date=2017-01-10|website=The Better India|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref><br />
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== Features ==<br />
The basis of Shastar Vidiya is a five-step movement which includes advancing on the opponent; hitting his flank, deflection of incoming blows, taking a commanding position and striking. As a full combat martial art it also includes both unarmed and armed combat techniques using swords, clubs, sticks, spears, daggers and other weapons. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indomitableindia.com/sanatan-shastar-vidiya-ancient-indian-battlefield-art/|title=Sanatan Shastar Vidiya: Ancient Indian Battlefield Art|last=Mitra|first=Rohit|date=2018-10-21|website=indomitableindia|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref><br />
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===Principle of power===<br />
Shastar Vidya is a subtle art and does not rely on fitness, flexibility or strength like western fighting systems. Instead, it uses tactical positioning and body mechanics. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.myindiamyglory.com/2017/09/30/sanatan-shastra-vidya-ancient-indian-battlefield-secrets/|title=Ancient Indian Battlefield Secrets Revealed: Sanatan Shastra Vidya, the Original Art of War|date=2017-09-30|website=myIndiamyGlory|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.darpanmagazine.com/news/interesting/video-meet-nidar-singh-nihang-the-only-living-master-of-a-centuriesold-sikh-battlefield-art-of-shastar-vidya/|title=WATCH: Nidar Singh Nihang Revives The Deadly Sikhs Martial Art Of Shastar Vidya Banned By The British Raj|website=www.darpanmagazine.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[https://www.shastarvidiya.org/ Shastar Vidya]<br />
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{{Indian martial arts}}<br />
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[[Category:Indian martial arts]]<br />
[[Category:Pakistani martial arts]]<br />
[[Category:Cultural heritage of India]]<br />
[[Category:Indian culture]]<br />
[[Category:Combat sports]]<br />
[[Category:Rajput culture]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi culture]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi words and phrases]]<br />
[[Category:Nihang]]</div>imported>Sphilbrick