Kamboj wrestlers
Encyclopedia
In Punjab, the top credit for wrestling in the past went to the Jatts and the Kamboj
s. Among the Jatt wrestlers, there have been many celebrated names, such as Banta Singh Valtoha, Dara Singh, Randhawa (brother of Dara Singh), Jinda, Nirmal Singh, Chandgi Ram, Kikkar Singh Sandhu, etc. The wrestlers among the Jatts are considerably more than those among the Kambojs, since numerically, the Jatt population is over 35 times that of the Kambojs.
, now in Pakistan
. He is said to have fought numerous wrestling matches with famous wrestlers like Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam Pahlwaan. He was an equal match to these famous wrestlers of the yesteryear.
and was one of the famous Kamboj wrestlers of the pre-partition Punjab. He is also said to have fought several wrestling matches against great wrestlers like Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam, during the prime of his life. The outcome is said to have been indecisive or unsettled with each of them.
. It is related that he voluntarily used to drive a Kharaas (ox-driven flour mill) to grind the wheat for his co-villagers and thus, earned the nickname Santa Kharaasia.
city, in Pakistan
and was a well-known Kamboj wrestler of the pre-partition Punjab.
. He is considered the Ustaad Pahlwaan of his times. He was trained by Pahlwaan Natha Singh, who in turn received his training from Rusum-e-Zamana, wrestler Gama. Pahlwaan Hazara Singh had fought bouts in some of the biggest wrestling competitions of India and had earned a great name and fame for himself in the desi style kushtis as well. The famous Rustum-e-Hind, wrestler Kesar Singh, had been his disciple. Before partition, Hazara Singh had defeated renowned wrestlers Barkat of Naagan and Khushia of Mian Kotia. He fought kushti (wrestling) with famous wrestler Yunus in Gujranwala
but the bout remained indecisive. He wrestled with famous Pahlwaan Gauns in Delhi
, but again this match remained unsettled. Later, Hazara Singh defeated wrestler Bubbie of Amritsar
in Bahawalpur
. He fought against famous wrestler Gardawar, but the match remained undecided. He also fought kushti with famous wrestler Dhukhan of Bihar
and defeated him in Bombay. He fought with the Pahlwaan Joti Sambherha of Maharashtra
and defeated him also in Kohlapur. Later, Hazara Singh fought bouts with wrestler Subha of Lahore
and Thakur Singh of Marhi Megha and defeated them both. Hazara Singh had other eminent disciples like Mohinder Singh alias Minda and Kartar Singh alias Kartara of village Chhape Ram Singh, district Amritsar
in addition to his famous disciple, Rustma-i-Hind, Pahlwan Kesar Singh.
Hazara Singh's daily diet is said to have included two pounds Ghee (butter), four pounds almonds and four pounds he-goat meat. Besides, he also used to take soup of three pounds of he-goat-meat daily. His chest measured 56 inches (142 cm), and the contours and shape of his thigh and upper arms are said to have been a finest model of the human body. It is related that many wrestlers were quite envious of the shape and build of his powerful and muscular thighs. After partition, Hazara Singh had moved to Kotli Naseer Khaan, District Amritsar
where he continued his exercises and the wrestling until 1974. He also spent some years with his son Dr Jagir Singh in the US. He died several years ago in village Anaitpura at his daughter's house.
. His name is reckoned amongst the famous wrestlers of India
. He was over 6 in 5 in (1.96 m) tall, with a very fine athletic body. He defeated wrestler Khushia, wrestler Harnam Singh of Varnhian, wrestler Mangal Singh of Targe of Tehsil Kasur
/Lahore
, as well as wrestler Gulam Mayudin, the nephew of the Rustum-e-Zaman wrestler Gama. In pre-partition days, Sohan Singh fought kushtis with famous Moslem wrestler Sardar Khan and easily thrashed him out. Sohan Singh also fought a bout with the famous wrestler Gunga but the match remained undecided. He wrestled with Puran Singh of Jakhepal and knocked him out. Sohan Singh had participated in all famous wrestling competitions (Chhinjs) held in pre-partition as well as early post-partition India. He spent his last days in Fatepur Rajputan, District Amritsar
, where he died years ago.
Chuuhe-jhaarhia. He fought against the top-notch wrestlers of his times, knocking several of them out and earned a good name for himself and the Kamboj
community
. He died in village Kataria, District Jullundur, Punajab..
, District Kapurthala
, Punjab and was a very well-known wrestler of 1950-1970. He was noted for his clean style of wrestling. Bakhsheesh Singh fought kushatis with renowned wrestlers of his times and had defeated famous Banta Valtohia, District Amritsar and Jinda of Badhni and several others. Bakhshisha was Ustaad (or Guru) of the Rustum-e-Hind wrestler Mehar Din. Bakhshish Singh had sold his land in Talwandi Chaudhurian in the early 1950s and bought a piece of agricultural land in district Jind
, in Haryana
. A story is related that once when he was doing his routine morning exercises at the common village well in Talwandi Chaudhurian, in the early hours of the day, a beautiful brahman girl of his village, finding a suitable opportunity, approached him and tried to seduce him, but the budding Pahlwaan Baksheesha sternly warned the girl and advised her to go home not fulfilling her carnal wishes. This incident abundantly demonstrates the character of this renowned Kamboj Pahlwaan. Bakhsheesh Singh continued to fight kushtis till 1974 and died probably in 1994.
, Pakistan
and used to participate enthusiastically in all the wrestling competitions (Chhinjs) of the pre-partition Punjab.
was imposed in Amritsar
in 1919 in the aftermath of Jallianwala Bagh massacre
, the angry Punjabis were burning down banks in Amritsar. One ill-fated English bank manager was firing upon the mob, from the second floor, when the bold and agitated Harnaam Singh went upstairs, seized the English Manager from his neck and waist and lifting him up his arms, hurled him down on the ground floor, where he instantly died. Besides, Harnaam Singh and his agitated friends were also involved in two more murders of the English officers viz: Mr Scot and Mr Thomson. Mr Thomson was burnt alive by the agitated arsonists. Harnaam Singh was arrested and charged with murders and arson and was tried by a special military court which awarded him the death penalty, which on special imperial orders, was later converted into Kala Paani. Harnaam Singh was accordingly sent to Andeman
-Nicobar
imprisonment. At Kala-Paani imprisonment, Harnam Singh caught malaria
and due to the callous negligence of the jail authorities, he succumbed to his illness and died in the jail, while in exile. Another version of the story relates that the English jaoler at Andemaan had tortured Harnaam Singh to death and had covered the murder in connivance with an English doctor documenting it as a case of malarial death. Whatever the truth, this brave Kamboj hero will always be remembered by his community and the Punjabis, both as a fearless freedom fighter as well as a wrestler of repute.
where he earned a great name and fame in desi kushti in undivided Punjab. After partition, Chhiba Mall migrated and settled in Delhi
. He was a disciple of renowned Moslem wrestler Habib. Chhiba Mall easily defeated famous wrestlers Mahini Rehnuwala as well as Pahlwaan Chaaga, disciple of the famous wrestler Kallu. Chhiba Mall also fought and defeated Shera, a disciple of famous wrestler Chuni of Sialkote. Chhiba Mall set up an Akhara in Yamuna Bazar opposite Red Fort, in Delhi and devoutly trained numerous wrestlers who earned great name and fame for themselves and their families in their careers. Chhiba had numerous disciples (Shishya or Shagirds) amongst whom were included a few famous ones like Subha Singh, Mota Singh, Santokh Singh, Shinda, Muni Lal, Banta Singh, Taru Singh as well as the Rustum-e-Hind, Mehar Din. Chhiba had visited Pakistan
several times after partition on invitation from his former colleagues in that country, and there he fought in many Dangals. On the occasion of the 18th free-style worldly championship in 1967, Zakir Hussain
(President of India
) especially honored this great wrestler. Chhiba Mall died in Delhi on Feb 2, 1971, after living a long age of 105 years.
, Punjab. He distinguished himself greatly for his characteristic wrestling style. Mohinder Singh had fought kushati (wrestling) with famous wrestlers of Delhi
, Bombay and Kolhapur, etc. He was a disciple of famous wrestler Hazara Singh of Bohoru. Mohinder Singh had fought bouts with Imaam Baksash Jr in Jullundur and defeated him. He also fought with famous wrestler of Amritsar, Banta Singh Valtohia and was drawn equal.
. He was allotted his agricultural land from Pakistan in Malaut Mandi (Ferozepur
) in Indian Punjab, where he spent the last days of life.
-born-and-raised Kamboj wrestler had also enthusiastically participated in numerous wrestling competitions of pre-partition/post-partition India. He had also participated in wrestling competitions staged in foreign countries.
an countries and had participated in several wrestling bouts staged in Italy
, France
, Germany
, England
and other countries of Europe. Famous wrestler Ram Murti had especially recruited these three Kamboj wrestlers to exhibit or display their excellently built athletic bodies in numerous foreign circus
shows, held in several countries of the European sub-continent.
), Pehlwan Maula Bakhsh (Lahori) and Ustad Mela, etc. There undoubtedly have been numerous famous Kamboj wrestlers in the recent and remote past, and still there are many more, currently active but for want of sufficient authentic information, they have not been included in the list.
Kamboj
The Kambojs , also Kamboh, are an ethnic community of the Punjab region. They may relate to the Kambojas, an Iranian tribe known to the people of Iron Age India and mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts and epigraphy. Kamboj is frequently used as a surname in lieu of the sub-caste or the gotra name...
s. Among the Jatt wrestlers, there have been many celebrated names, such as Banta Singh Valtoha, Dara Singh, Randhawa (brother of Dara Singh), Jinda, Nirmal Singh, Chandgi Ram, Kikkar Singh Sandhu, etc. The wrestlers among the Jatts are considerably more than those among the Kambojs, since numerically, the Jatt population is over 35 times that of the Kambojs.
List of Kamboj wrestlers
The list below introduces a few well-known Kamboj wrestlers of the recent past about whom scant information has been collected from the words of some old people. Undoubtedly, there have been many more celebrated Kamboj wrestlers about whom not much authentic information was forthcoming and hence they have not been included in following Kamboj list.Bhaag Singh Bohoru
Pahlwaan Bhaag Singh was a famous wrestler of village Bohoru, District SheikhupuraSheikhupura
Sheikhupura or Shekhupur , formerly Kot Dayal Das or Singhpuria or Virkgarh , is an industrial city in the province of Punjab slightly northwest to Lahore in Pakistan. It is known for its historical places, and is commonly known locally as Qila Shaikhupura, because of the fort in the city,...
, now in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. He is said to have fought numerous wrestling matches with famous wrestlers like Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam Pahlwaan. He was an equal match to these famous wrestlers of the yesteryear.
Jodh Singh Bohoru
Pahlwaan Jodh Singh was also from village Bohoru, District Sheikhupura, now PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and was one of the famous Kamboj wrestlers of the pre-partition Punjab. He is also said to have fought several wrestling matches against great wrestlers like Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam, during the prime of his life. The outcome is said to have been indecisive or unsettled with each of them.
Santa Singh Kharasia
Pahlwaan Santa Singh alias Santa Kharaasia was also contemporary of the celebrated wrestlers Kallu, Kikar Singh and Gulam and had fought wrestling matches with each of them. Santa Singh Kharasia belonged to AmritsarAmritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
. It is related that he voluntarily used to drive a Kharaas (ox-driven flour mill) to grind the wheat for his co-villagers and thus, earned the nickname Santa Kharaasia.
Bawa Malikpuri
Pahlwaan Bawa belonged to village Malikpur situated near LyallpurLyallpur
Lyallpur may refer to* the former name of Faisalabad city, Pakistan* Lyallpur Town, a municipal area of Faisalabad city, Pakistan...
city, in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and was a well-known Kamboj wrestler of the pre-partition Punjab.
Natha Singh Bohoru
Pahlwaan Natha Singh alias Natha also belonged to village Bohoru, District Sheikhura, now in Pakistan. He was a well-known wrestler of the then Punjab. He was the Ustaad (Guru) of the famous Kamboj Pahlwaan Hazara Singh, who also belonged to village Bohoru, Pakistan. Wrestler Natha Singh had received his training from Rustum-e-Zamana, wrestler Gama.Hazara Singh Bohoru
Pahlwaan Hazara Singh was born in 1908 in village Bohoru, District Sheikhupura, PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. He is considered the Ustaad Pahlwaan of his times. He was trained by Pahlwaan Natha Singh, who in turn received his training from Rusum-e-Zamana, wrestler Gama. Pahlwaan Hazara Singh had fought bouts in some of the biggest wrestling competitions of India and had earned a great name and fame for himself in the desi style kushtis as well. The famous Rustum-e-Hind, wrestler Kesar Singh, had been his disciple. Before partition, Hazara Singh had defeated renowned wrestlers Barkat of Naagan and Khushia of Mian Kotia. He fought kushti (wrestling) with famous wrestler Yunus in Gujranwala
Gujranwala
Gujranwala is a industrial city in the north-east of the Punjab province. It is the sixth largest city in Pakistan with a population of approximately 2,661,360 as on 24 June 2011...
but the bout remained indecisive. He wrestled with famous Pahlwaan Gauns in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, but again this match remained unsettled. Later, Hazara Singh defeated wrestler Bubbie of Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
in Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states...
. He fought against famous wrestler Gardawar, but the match remained undecided. He also fought kushti with famous wrestler Dhukhan of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and defeated him in Bombay. He fought with the Pahlwaan Joti Sambherha of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
and defeated him also in Kohlapur. Later, Hazara Singh fought bouts with wrestler Subha of Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
and Thakur Singh of Marhi Megha and defeated them both. Hazara Singh had other eminent disciples like Mohinder Singh alias Minda and Kartar Singh alias Kartara of village Chhape Ram Singh, district Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
in addition to his famous disciple, Rustma-i-Hind, Pahlwan Kesar Singh.
Hazara Singh's daily diet is said to have included two pounds Ghee (butter), four pounds almonds and four pounds he-goat meat. Besides, he also used to take soup of three pounds of he-goat-meat daily. His chest measured 56 inches (142 cm), and the contours and shape of his thigh and upper arms are said to have been a finest model of the human body. It is related that many wrestlers were quite envious of the shape and build of his powerful and muscular thighs. After partition, Hazara Singh had moved to Kotli Naseer Khaan, District Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
where he continued his exercises and the wrestling until 1974. He also spent some years with his son Dr Jagir Singh in the US. He died several years ago in village Anaitpura at his daughter's house.
Sohan Singh Chele-wala
Pahlwaan Sohan Singh was born in village Chele-wala, District Sheikhupura, now in PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. His name is reckoned amongst the famous wrestlers of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He was over 6 in 5 in (1.96 m) tall, with a very fine athletic body. He defeated wrestler Khushia, wrestler Harnam Singh of Varnhian, wrestler Mangal Singh of Targe of Tehsil Kasur
Kasur
Kasur , the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony...
/Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, as well as wrestler Gulam Mayudin, the nephew of the Rustum-e-Zaman wrestler Gama. In pre-partition days, Sohan Singh fought kushtis with famous Moslem wrestler Sardar Khan and easily thrashed him out. Sohan Singh also fought a bout with the famous wrestler Gunga but the match remained undecided. He wrestled with Puran Singh of Jakhepal and knocked him out. Sohan Singh had participated in all famous wrestling competitions (Chhinjs) held in pre-partition as well as early post-partition India. He spent his last days in Fatepur Rajputan, District Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, where he died years ago.
Sohan Singh Chuuhe-jhaarhia
Pahlwaan Sohan Chuuhe-jhaarhia was born in village Chuuhe-jhaar, District Sheikhupur, now in Pakistan, and hence earned the surnameSurname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
Chuuhe-jhaarhia. He fought against the top-notch wrestlers of his times, knocking several of them out and earned a good name for himself and the Kamboj
Kamboj
The Kambojs , also Kamboh, are an ethnic community of the Punjab region. They may relate to the Kambojas, an Iranian tribe known to the people of Iron Age India and mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts and epigraphy. Kamboj is frequently used as a surname in lieu of the sub-caste or the gotra name...
community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
. He died in village Kataria, District Jullundur, Punajab..
Bakhsheesh Singh Talwandi
Pahlwaan Bakhsheesh Singh alias Bakhsheesha belonged to village Talwandi Chaudharian, Tehsil Sultanpur LodhiSultanpur Lodhi
Sultanpur Lodhi is a city and a municipal council in Kapurthala district in the Indian state of Punjab. The town is named after its founder, Sultan Khan Lodhi who was a general of Mahmud of Ghazni in AD 1103, which has been also mentioned in Ain-e-Akbari...
, District Kapurthala
Kapurthala
Kapurthala is a city in Punjab state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Kapurthala District. It was the capital of the Kapurthala State, a princely state in British India. The secular and aesthetic mix of the city with its prominent buildings based on French and Indo-Saracenic...
, Punjab and was a very well-known wrestler of 1950-1970. He was noted for his clean style of wrestling. Bakhsheesh Singh fought kushatis with renowned wrestlers of his times and had defeated famous Banta Valtohia, District Amritsar and Jinda of Badhni and several others. Bakhshisha was Ustaad (or Guru) of the Rustum-e-Hind wrestler Mehar Din. Bakhshish Singh had sold his land in Talwandi Chaudhurian in the early 1950s and bought a piece of agricultural land in district Jind
Jind
Jind is a town in Jind District, Harayana state, India.It is one of the oldest districts of Harayana. It is one of the first Sikh Kingdoms. It lies in central Haryana and is the fourth district of the Jat belt .The city is beautiful...
, in Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
. A story is related that once when he was doing his routine morning exercises at the common village well in Talwandi Chaudhurian, in the early hours of the day, a beautiful brahman girl of his village, finding a suitable opportunity, approached him and tried to seduce him, but the budding Pahlwaan Baksheesha sternly warned the girl and advised her to go home not fulfilling her carnal wishes. This incident abundantly demonstrates the character of this renowned Kamboj Pahlwaan. Bakhsheesh Singh continued to fight kushtis till 1974 and died probably in 1994.
Bhola Singh Montgomery
Pahlwaan Bhola Singh was a renowned wrestler of MontgomerySahiwal
Sahiwal is a city in Punjab, Pakistan. It is the administrative centre of Sahiwal District and Sahiwal Division. Sahiwal is approximately 180 km from the major city Lahore and is the city between Lahore and Multan...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and used to participate enthusiastically in all the wrestling competitions (Chhinjs) of the pre-partition Punjab.
Sher Singh alias Sheru
Pahlwaan Sher Singh alias Sheru was son of renowned wrestler Bhola Singh and was quite popular in the desi-style kushti.Bagga Singh
Pahlwaan Bagga Singh was the second son of wrestler Bhola Singh and was also quite popular in desi-style kushtis. However, not much authenticated information is available about these two brother wrestlers which could be furnished here.Bishn Singh Nawan Pind Donewal
Pahlwaan Bishan Singh alias Bishna was a dedicated Kamboj wrestler of the post-partition era and steadfastly participated in numerous wrestling competitions of the Punjab. He belonged to Nawan Pind Donewal, near Lohian, District Jullundur.Harnaam Singh Peethiwala
Pahlwaan Harnaam Singh Peethiwala was over 6 in 6 in (1.98 m) tall and could easily lift his competitors in kushati on his two arms above his head. This was his characteristic style in wrestling, it is said. He was so powerful in his physique that he could easily seize two sturdy humans from their necks and would not let them budge an inch. Interestingly, wrestler Harnaam Singh was also a freedom fighter of repute. When martial lawMartial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
was imposed in Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
in 1919 in the aftermath of Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre , also known as the Amritsar massacre, took place in the Jallianwala Bagh public garden in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, and was ordered by Brigadier-General Reginald E.H. Dyer...
, the angry Punjabis were burning down banks in Amritsar. One ill-fated English bank manager was firing upon the mob, from the second floor, when the bold and agitated Harnaam Singh went upstairs, seized the English Manager from his neck and waist and lifting him up his arms, hurled him down on the ground floor, where he instantly died. Besides, Harnaam Singh and his agitated friends were also involved in two more murders of the English officers viz: Mr Scot and Mr Thomson. Mr Thomson was burnt alive by the agitated arsonists. Harnaam Singh was arrested and charged with murders and arson and was tried by a special military court which awarded him the death penalty, which on special imperial orders, was later converted into Kala Paani. Harnaam Singh was accordingly sent to Andeman
Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are a group of Indian Ocean archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal between India to the west, and Burma , to the north and east...
-Nicobar
Nicobar Islands
The Nicobar Islands are an archipelagic island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean...
imprisonment. At Kala-Paani imprisonment, Harnam Singh caught malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and due to the callous negligence of the jail authorities, he succumbed to his illness and died in the jail, while in exile. Another version of the story relates that the English jaoler at Andemaan had tortured Harnaam Singh to death and had covered the murder in connivance with an English doctor documenting it as a case of malarial death. Whatever the truth, this brave Kamboj hero will always be remembered by his community and the Punjabis, both as a fearless freedom fighter as well as a wrestler of repute.
Chhiba Mall Patasiyanwala
Pahlwaan Chhiba Mall Patasiyanwala was an Ustaad pahlwaan of yesteryear. He originally belonged to LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
where he earned a great name and fame in desi kushti in undivided Punjab. After partition, Chhiba Mall migrated and settled in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. He was a disciple of renowned Moslem wrestler Habib. Chhiba Mall easily defeated famous wrestlers Mahini Rehnuwala as well as Pahlwaan Chaaga, disciple of the famous wrestler Kallu. Chhiba Mall also fought and defeated Shera, a disciple of famous wrestler Chuni of Sialkote. Chhiba Mall set up an Akhara in Yamuna Bazar opposite Red Fort, in Delhi and devoutly trained numerous wrestlers who earned great name and fame for themselves and their families in their careers. Chhiba had numerous disciples (Shishya or Shagirds) amongst whom were included a few famous ones like Subha Singh, Mota Singh, Santokh Singh, Shinda, Muni Lal, Banta Singh, Taru Singh as well as the Rustum-e-Hind, Mehar Din. Chhiba had visited Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
several times after partition on invitation from his former colleagues in that country, and there he fought in many Dangals. On the occasion of the 18th free-style worldly championship in 1967, Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (politician)
Dr. Zakir Hussain , was the third President of India from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969. He was the first elected Muslim president of India....
(President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
) especially honored this great wrestler. Chhiba Mall died in Delhi on Feb 2, 1971, after living a long age of 105 years.
Mohinder Singh
Pahlwaan Mohinder Singh belonged to village Chhape Ram Singh, District AmritsarAmritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, Punjab. He distinguished himself greatly for his characteristic wrestling style. Mohinder Singh had fought kushati (wrestling) with famous wrestlers of Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Bombay and Kolhapur, etc. He was a disciple of famous wrestler Hazara Singh of Bohoru. Mohinder Singh had fought bouts with Imaam Baksash Jr in Jullundur and defeated him. He also fought with famous wrestler of Amritsar, Banta Singh Valtohia and was drawn equal.
Kartar Singh
Pahlwaan Kartar Singh alias Kartara was a well-known Kamboj wrestler. He was a disciple of famous Kamboj wrestler Hazara Singh of Bohoru. Kartar Singh belonged to village Chhape Ram Singh, District Amritsar and fought in almost all famous competitions (Chhinjs) of Punjab and IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He was allotted his agricultural land from Pakistan in Malaut Mandi (Ferozepur
Firozpur
Firozpur is a city on the banks of the Sutlej River in Firozpur District, Punjab, India, founded by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq , a Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388.The Manj Rajputs say the town was named after their chief, a Rajput of...
) in Indian Punjab, where he spent the last days of life.
Harikishan Lal
Pahlwaan Harikishan Lal was the elder brother of famous Kamboj wrestler Chhiba Mall. This LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
-born-and-raised Kamboj wrestler had also enthusiastically participated in numerous wrestling competitions of pre-partition/post-partition India. He had also participated in wrestling competitions staged in foreign countries.
Khushhal Chand and Nanak Chand
Pahlwaan Khushal Chand and Pahlwaan Nanak Chand were brothers and originally belonged to Lahore. Accompanied by Pahlwaan Harikishan Lal, both Khushal Chand and Nanak Chand took to a wrestling tour of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an countries and had participated in several wrestling bouts staged in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and other countries of Europe. Famous wrestler Ram Murti had especially recruited these three Kamboj wrestlers to exhibit or display their excellently built athletic bodies in numerous foreign circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
shows, held in several countries of the European sub-continent.
Miscellaneous
There are many more Kamboj Pahlwaans of note, such as Harbhajan Singh of village Sapan Wala, Swaran Singh Chandi of Anupgarh, Tahla Ram of village Rano Wal, Malava Ram, Hukam Chand of village Baluane Wala, and Mohri Ram of village Beri Wala, etc. Among the Muslim Kamboh (Kamboj) wrestlers, a few famous names which come to mind are Rustam-e-Hind Chanan Din Kamboh, Pehlwan Fazal Din Phaija s/o Chaudhury Mohammad Shafi (LahoriLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
), Pehlwan Maula Bakhsh (Lahori) and Ustad Mela, etc. There undoubtedly have been numerous famous Kamboj wrestlers in the recent and remote past, and still there are many more, currently active but for want of sufficient authentic information, they have not been included in the list.