GATKA

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HOMEPAGE OF THE INTERNATIONAL GATKA FEDERATION ( IGF )
I.G.F. featuring informations on the traditional martial art of the Sikhs. It covers fighting with a wide range of weapons as well as meditation and philosophy.

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He has helped to write and publish a book in English called Gatka which teaches the basic's of this art.
There is no real evidence that Sri Guru Hari Rai Ji (7th Guru) practised Gatka, but being the successor of an expert martial artist and a great militant leader he must have initially learnt such an art.
Sri Guru Hargobind Ji, also encouraged and taught his followers, of which a majority joined his army to keep fit and practice Gatka, along with their NITNEM (prayers).
He was known as the greatest master of weaponry of his time and it is assured that he was taught Gatka by his father and his followers from a very young age.
Baba Buddha Ji, who was alive from Guru Nanak 's (1st Guru) time, was Sri Guru Arjan 's (5th Guru) fencing master and from this the knowledge of Gatka was passed onto the sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who lived military life.
In the last 2-3 years Sikh Nahang, Bhai Nanak Dev Singh, an American who converted to Sikhi by the influence of Bhai Harbajan Singh Ji -"yogi", has helped to spread Gatka around the world, especially around America and Europe.

Together with his spiritual guidance and with the aid of Gatka defended all the God loving souls (Bhagats) from all religions, to uphold the name of God.
As far as the Sikhs can recall Gatka goes back to about 1200 years, but some say it goes back a lot further.
During our research we learned that in 1984 when the Golden Temple was attacked by the Indian Army, it is said that four Singhs stood at each of the doors of the temple, swinging their Shasters (full length swords) in a basic movement from the Gatka and nobody could come within a ten-metre range of them.
The ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji was supposedly seen practising Gatka alone by the Mogul army, his speed and accuracy was both an alarming and surprising experience for them.
An introduction of Gatka, on Sky television (Sky Sports) has also been shown in September of a demonstration which took place earlier this year in Paris.
Although in his time and in his successors time (Sri Guru Hari Krishan Ji), the art of Gatka was practised by a few people.
Publicity about Gatka is also progressing very well, since a number of demonstrations take place in Universities and Gurudwaras.
However the real lift of Gatka began in his son's time Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji who is and was described as the most perfect person on earth, as he was very intelligent and could speak and write a number of different languages with equal comfort.
The organisers also hope to develop a team of Gatka students to fight one another in tournaments in the future.
Gatka.  An Introduction.  Sikh Culture & Arts .  Sikh Women Community
However it is taught by the masters of this art that, Gatka, either when fighting in a battle or in simple self-defence is absolutely useless without `Gurbani'.
So clearly the effectiveness of Gatka has been proved for centuries, not just by the Sikhs but also the earlier practitioners of this art.
In the past few centuries, Gatka has mainly been practised in India by the Nahang Singhs, who are Sikhs who believe in the importance of preserving the type of dress (Bana) and weaponry as was worn by the Gurus.
Gatka An Introduction by Harkirat Singh Gatka, is an ancient martial art used by the Gurus to help defend the religious beliefs of Sikhi and also those of other religions.
He was forced to defend himself and so took out his Kirpan (sword) and using his knowledge of Gatka, seriously injured and killed many of his attackers.

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Gatka was originally practised by the Sikhs in the Punjab to defend themselves against the Mogul invaders.
At the end of the visit, they sat down to watch the traditional Sikh martial art, Gatka - which dates from the early 17th century - performed by the Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara, from Leyton, east London.
DEFINATIONS, Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Budha, Guru Hargobind, Dasam Granth, Bani, Gurbani, Gatka, Guru Granth Sahib, Golden Temple, Gurdwara
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, covers her eyes next to Britain's Prince Charles while watching a Gatka demonstration Picture: Reuters March 2006.
Probably the most common combination of weapons in the hands of Gatka practitioners of today and in the past is the sword and shield.
Gatka is normally taught with rhythmic accompaniment, and the object is to achieve fluid, natural and flowing movement, without hesitation, doubt or anxiety.
Gatka is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern India for many thousands of years.
However the real lift of Gatka began in his son's time Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji who is and was described as the most perfect person on earth, as he was very intelligent and could speak and write a number of different languages with equal comfort.
He has helped to write and publish a book in English called Gatka which teaches the basic's of this art.
The techniques within Gatka were combined with the spiritual practices of the Sikhs to create a perfect fighting system.
9th Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji was supposedly seen practising Gatka alone by the Mughal army, his speed and accuracy was both an alarming and surprising experience for them.

The most common weapon used by Gatka exponents today is the lathi (a stick of varying length), but all of the other traditional weapons are still taught.
In the last 2-3 years Sikh Nihang, Bhai Nanak Dev Singh, an American who converted to Sikhi by the influence of Bhai Harbhajan Singh Ji -"yogi", has helped to spread Gatka around the world, especially around America and Europe.
In its physical form , Gatka is the original feudal art of the Saint Soldiers "Khalsa ", for whom the way of life is the same as the art of war.
The ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji was supposedly seen practising Gatka alone by the Mughal army, his speed and accuracy was both an alarming and surprising experience for them.
Gatka is a complete martial system which uses spiritual, mental and physical skills in equal portions to help one fully competent in defending themselves and others.
Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master.
History Live Kicking Baba Budha Ji who witnessed the period of Sikh history from Guru Nanak to Guru Hargobind trained an army of Sikhs, called the Akali Sena or Budha Dal in Gatka.
Gatka
During his time Gatka warriors successfully defended the Golden Temple of Amritsar from a Mughal siege.
Gatka During Gurus' Period Baba Budha Ji who witnessed the period of Sikh history from Guru Nanak to Guru Hargobind trained an army of Sikhs, called the Akali Sena or Budha Dal in Gatka.
Gatka demostration where blindfolded swordsman slices clean through a melon resting on a collegues chest.
He was known as the greatest master of weaponry of his time and it is assured that he was taught Gatka by his father and his followers from a very young age.
As far as the Sikhs can recall Gatka goes back to about 1200 years, but some say it goes back a lot further? In the past few centuries, Gatka has mainly been practised in India by the Nihang Singhs, who are Sikhs who believe in the importance of preserving the type of dress (Bana) and weaponry as was worn by the Gurus.
The panthra exercise is a flowing, non-stop movement, and there are no specific preset "moves" similar to say, karate in Gatka.
The word Gatka actually refers to the wooden stick used in training called soti, which is equipped with a basket hilt.
According to its adherents, it is so effective that when the Golden Temple was attacked in 1984 by the Indian Army, four Sikh warriors stood at the doors swinging their swords in a Gatka movement and no Indian soldier could get close to them.
Just like the various "beats cycles" in Jaap Sahib , advance Gatka incorporates these different cycles and rhythms.
Opposing forces have documented how awesome these Sikhs were at battle! The art of Gatka involves a series of integral combat training systems that include several systems of duels armed - unarmed and the use of weapons of defense and offence.