The Legendary Gama Pehalwan: A Wrestling Icon of India

Gama Pehalwan, known as The Great Gama, is a legendary figure in Indian wrestling, celebrated for his undefeated career and immense influence on martial arts. Born in 1878, he began wrestling at a young age, trained rigorously, and maintained a remarkable diet to support his intense training. His fame extended beyond India, inspiring icons like Bruce Lee. Gama's matches, including a notable draw against the towering Rahim Bakhsh, solidified his status as a wrestling icon. His legacy continues to resonate in the world of sports even after his passing in 1963.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 23, 2026, 17:48 IST

A Wrestling Legend

India boasts numerous wrestlers, but one stands out as a true icon, revered by many as a mentor. This wrestler, known for his undefeated record, gained fame that reached international shores, even inspiring the legendary Bruce Lee from China. We are referring to the remarkable Gama Pehalwan, also celebrated as The Great Gama and Rustam-e-Hind.

Celebrating Gama's Legacy

On May 22, Gama Pehalwan's 144th birthday was commemorated, with Google honoring him through a special doodle. Born in Amritsar on May 22, 1878, Gama later moved to Lahore with his family during the partition of India and Pakistan.

Wrestling from a Young Age

Gama began his wrestling journey at the tender age of 10, a passion that ran in his blood, as his father, Muhammad Aziz Bakhsh, was also a wrestler. He received early training from his father and honed his skills under the guidance of the renowned wrestler Madhos Singh. Later, he further refined his techniques while training under Maharaja Bhawani Singh of Datiya.

An Unmatched Career

Gama's wrestling career spanned an impressive 52 years, during which he faced numerous opponents without ever suffering a defeat. His rigorous training regimen included performing 5,000 sit-ups and 1,000 push-ups daily. To fuel his intense workouts, his diet was equally formidable, consisting of six native chickens, ten liters of milk, half a kilogram of ghee, almond sherbet, and 100 rotis each day.

International Fame

Gama was known to lift stone dumbbells as part of his exercise routine. Bruce Lee, the famous martial artist from China, was an admirer of Gama and drew inspiration from him to build his own physique. Lee studied articles about Gama's workouts and incorporated similar exercises into his training regimen.

Throughout his career, Gama faced many wrestlers from both India and abroad, defeating them all. In 1910, he traveled to London with his wrestling brother Imam Bakhsh for an international championship but declined to participate. Instead, he issued an open challenge to all prominent wrestlers in London, which was accepted by American champion Benjamin Roller. Gama triumphed in just 1 minute and 40 seconds.

One of Gama's most memorable matches occurred in 1895 against the formidable Rustam-e-Hind, Rahim Bakhsh Sultaniwala, who stood at 6 feet 9 inches tall, while Gama was only 5 feet 7 inches. Despite the height difference, Gama put up a fierce fight, resulting in a draw. This match significantly boosted his fame worldwide. Gama Pehalwan passed away in 1963 after a prolonged illness.