Last living master of the centuries-old Sikh battlefield art of Shastar Vidya...

[beoram]

...seeks a successor.

See: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/10/news-from-the-future-nidar-singh-wants-you.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+makezineonline+%28MAKE%29

A former factory worker from the British Midlands may be the last living master of the centuries-old Sikh battlefield art of shastar vidya. The father of four is now engaged in a full-time search for a successor.

The basis of shastar vidya, the “science of weapons” is a five-step movement: advance on the opponent, hit his flank, deflect incoming blows, take a commanding position and strike.

It was developed by Sikhs in the 17th Century as the young religion came under attack from hostile Muslim and Hindu neighbours, and has been known to a dwindling band since the British forced Sikhs to give up arms in the 19th Century.

Nidar Singh, a 44-year-old former food packer from Wolverhampton, is now thought to be the only remaining master. He has many students, but shastar vidya takes years to learn and a commitment in time and energy that doesn’t suit modern lifestyles.

 

[Gorog]

Very impressive weaponry they had. I hope he is successful in his search.

 

[beoram]

I don't quite get the "dwindling band since the British forced Sikhs to give up arms in the 19th Century" bit since obviously the British employed many Sikhs in the Indian Army.....

 

[JayGoliath]

I don't quite get the "dwindling band since the British forced Sikhs to give up arms in the 19th Century" bit since obviously the British employed many Sikhs in the Indian Army.....

Good point. I've also seen many Sikhs in the Gurkhas. It was made known that out of the top 5 tribes (Thapa,Gurung, Limbu, Rai & Magar) a small number of the rest are Sherpa and possibly Sikh too.

Here's a few articles about old Indian warfare:
http://culturalassignment-ck.blogsp...howComment=1320225056440#c2382112497937525085

Toradar Bandook reminded me of Rajkumar's rifle model.

Wondered how the Jangi Mojeh feels like?

 

[Piso Mojado]

I had a Sikh friend in college from Kolkata (which we called Calcutta) where there are not many Sikhs, and his family was not disarmed. They had a holiday when they went on the roof to clean and sharpen their weapons, and they would fire a few rounds before they cleaned the firearms. He said it promoted friendly relations with the neighbors.

 

[stevomiller]

Interesting that they label what we call a katar a peshkabz (which I associate with a single edged, reinforced point, 't' backed bladed knife/kard). Think its a Sikh thing, or a mistake in the article? Also the name of the shield is similar to dhal or lentil - is it due to the similarity in shape?