Gama Pehalwan Life-History & Success Story

From Rustam e-Hind (Champion of India) to Rustam e-Zamana (Champion of the World) Each title conferred on Gama Pehalwan was never quite in describing his legend. Gama’s legacy has been so long that even after five decades since his death each wrestler from the Indian Subcontinent aspires to be similar to Gama- the Unbeatable. Apart from being the unbeaten wrestler, Gama’s story is filled with numerous facets that need to be explored. We will go into more detail about the tale that is Gama Pehalwan:

A Born Wrestler

On the 22nd of May, 1878 Gama was born Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, a member of the family of ethnic Kashmiri group of wrestlers from Jabbowal village in Amritsar. His family was renowned for its production of world-class wrestlers.

Initial Wrestling Lessons

When Gama was just 6 years old the day of the death of his father was devastating. Muhammad Aziz Baksh, who was also a renowned wrestler. Following the loss of his father his maternal grandfather as well as wrestler Nun Pahalwan looked after the boy, and following Nun Pahalwan’s demise the wrestler was placed under the supervision of his aunt Ida who was a wrestler who offered Gama his first lessons in wrestling.

His First Recognition

In 1888 at the age of 10 years old, Gama became famous when he participated in an athletic competition in Jodhpur. The contest was a success, Gama was among the 15 last competitors. The Maharaja from Jodhpur had been so impressed with Gama’s performances that he decided to name Gama the winner owing to his age.

Trained By A Maharaja

When the tale of Gama’s wrestling prowess was told to the Maharajas of Datia and he escorted him to training, and, from there onwards Gama’s journey to professional wrestling was underway.

Gama’s Diet Would Blow Your Mind

According to the sources according to reports, his diet consisted of 2 gallons (7.5 milliliters) of milk. six desi chickens and greater than one pound of crushed almond paste that was made into a drinking tonic.

His Exercise Plan Is Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

According to reports of his daily training, Gama used to grapple with 40 fellow wrestlers on the court. Gama also did 5000 Baithaks (squats) and 3000 Dands (pushups) throughout the day.

A Rare Feat To Achieve

According to another source during a trip to the Baroda state for an event in wrestling the wrestler lifted the stone that weighed over 1,200 kg. The stone is now stored at the Baroda Museum.

The Turning Point

In 1895 aged 17 Gama took on Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala (the former Indian Wrestling Champion), another ethnic Kashmiri wrestler from Gujranwala who is now located living in Punjab, Pakistan. Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala was a middle-aged man who was almost 7 feet tall and had a dazzling record. The fight lasted for hours and ended with an unbeatable draw. The fight with Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala marked a pivotal moment in Gama’s career.

India Sweep

By 1910, other than Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala Gama was able to defeat all notable Indian wrestlers he faced.

When His Challenge Was Considered a Bluff

Following his success at home, Gama started focusing his focus on the rest of the world. To be able to compete against the Western Wrestlers Gama traveled to England along with Gama’s younger brother Imam Bakhsh. Due to his small stature the wrestler was unable to get immediate entry. In London He made an offer to throw three wrestlers within 30 minutes, regardless of weight class, however, no one reacted as they thought it was a scam.

Bout With The First International Wrestler

Gama specifically challenged Stanislaus Zabyszko as well as Frank Gotch that either show up or they will give away the prize cash. The reality is that American wrestling champion Benjamin Roller was the first person to respond to Gama’s challenge. Gama took him down in one minute 40 seconds at the beginning of the time, and then in 9 minutes and 10 seconds in the second. The following morning, Gama gained entry to the official tournament after beating 12 wrestlers.

Bout With The World Champion

On the 10th of September, 1910 as the finalist of the John Bull World Championships in London, Gama faced world champion Stanislaus Zbyszko. The contest was PS250 (Rs22000) for prize cash. After more than three hours of fighting, Zbyszko wrestled the great Gama to an unbeatable draw. The next time, as Zbyszko, as well as Gama, were scheduled to fight one another, Zbyszko didn’t show up and Gama was declared the winner.

International Sweeps

In his trip to the Western regions, Gama defeated some of the most renowned grapplers from the world: Maurice Deriaz of France, “Doc” Benjamin Roller of the United States, Jesse Peterson (World Champion) from Sweden as well as Johann Lemm (the European Champion) from Switzerland. In the match against Benjamin Roller, Gama threw at him 13 times during the fifteen-minute contest.

When Nobody Took His Challenge

After beating a few of the famous grapplers around the world, Gama issued a challenge to the remaining wrestlers who claimed the world champion’s Title which included George Hackenschmidt of Russia, Japanese Judo champion Taro Miyake and Frank Gotch of the United States. But, all of them refused to accept his invitation.

When He Challenged 20 Wrestlers Altogether

At some time, Gama offered to fight 20 English wrestlers but nobody was willing to accept the challenge.

When Gama Earned The Title of “Rustam-e-Hind

When Gama returned to India from England He was again in the face of Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala in Allahabad. After a lengthy battle between the two, Gama emerged as the winner and was awarded the title of “Rustam-e-Hind.”

Gama’s Strongest Opponent

If asked who was his most formidable rival, Gama replied, “Raheem Bakhsh Sultani Wala.”

Laurels From The Prince of Wales

In 1922, while Gama, the Prince of Wales was on a visit to India He presented Gama with the silver mace.

When Gama Was Referred To As A “Tiger”

In the year 1927 Gama was not able to find no opponents. In the meantime after, it was announced the fact that Gama and Zbyszko were scheduled to face one another in the future. In January 1988, in Patiala, Gama defeated Zbyszko in less than a minute and took home his place in the Indian edition of the World Wrestling Championship. After the fight, Zbyszko referred to Gama as”tiger. “tiger.”

His Last Career Bout

The final fight that Gama was in was against Jesse Petersen in February 1929. The fight lasted for just 1 1/2 minutes, in which Gama won the fight.

Invitation By The Nizam of Hyderabad

The 1940s were a time of war, and upon the advice of Nizam from Hyderabad, Gama defeated all his foes. After that, Nizam sent him to take on the wrestling champion Balram Heeraman Singh Yadav who had never been defeated throughout his career. After a long struggle, Gama was not able to beat him, and ultimately neither wrestler prevailed.

His Retirement

Following split of India during 1947 Gama relocated to Pakistan. From 1952, when he retired, Gama failed to find any other rivals.

A Family Person

Based on reports Gama got married three times during his life, with Wazeer Begum, and one more. He had 5 sons as well as four daughters. His granddaughter is the spouse of Nawaz Sharif.

He Trained A New Champion

After the time of his retirement, Gama taught his son Bholu Pahalwan, who held his own Pakistani title for wrestling for more than 20 years.

His Last Days

In his final hours, Gama suffered from a chronic disease and was unable to fund his treatment. To aid him, G. D. Birla an industrialist and wrestler fan, gave him the sum of Rs2,000 as well as a monthly pension of 300 rupees. It was the Government of Pakistan also supported the medical bills for his death on May 23rd, 1960.

Gama’s Exercise Disc

A doughnut-shaped exercise disk, which was utilized by Gama for squats, has been on display in the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Museum in Patiala.