Gama Pehlwan – Legendary Indian Wrestler

Gama Pehlwan was a legendary wrestler who has left an indelible mark on the world of Indian wrestling. Born in the city of Amritsar in 1878, Gama Pehlwan’s real name was Ghulam Muhammad. He was a wrestler from a young age, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were also accomplished wrestlers. Here’s everything you need to know about Gama Pehlwan, the wrestler.

Gama Pehlwan - Wrestler

Background

Gama Pehlwan’s achievements in the wrestling arena are nothing short of remarkable. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, having won over 5000 bouts in his career. He was also known for his incredible strength and technique, which helped him to defeat opponents much larger than himself.

Gama Pehlwan’s prowess as a wrestler earned him the nickname “The Great Gama”. He was a national hero in India, with fans across the country following his every move in the wrestling arena. He was also a mentor to many young wrestlers, passing on his skills and knowledge to the next generation.

Gama Pehlwan - Wrestler 2

Despite his fame and success, Gama Pehlwan remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to wrestle well into his seventies, only retiring from the sport shortly before his death in 1963. Today, he is remembered as a true legend of Indian wrestling, and his legacy lives on in the many wrestlers he inspired and trained over the course of his remarkable career.

About

Full Real Name: Ghulam Muhammad
Stage Name: Gama Pehlwan
Date of Birth: May 22, 1878
Place of Birth: Amritsar, Punjab, British India (now in India)
Current Residence: Deceased
Profession: Wrestler
Net worth: N/A
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Islam
Ethnicity: Punjabi
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Education: N/A
School/College: N/A
Height (approx.): 5’7″ (170 cm)
Weight (approx.): 200 lbs (90 kg)

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Early Life

Gama Pehlwan was born as Ghulam Muhammad in Amritsar, Punjab, British India (now in India) on May 22, 1878. He was born into a family of wrestlers, with both his father and grandfather being accomplished wrestlers themselves. Gama was introduced to wrestling at a young age, and he quickly showed an aptitude for the sport.

Gama’s father, Aziz Baksh, was a renowned wrestler in his own right, and he recognized his son’s potential early on. He began training Gama rigorously, teaching him the various techniques and strategies of wrestling. Gama proved to be a quick learner, and he soon began to win matches against older and more experienced opponents.

At the age of 10, Gama participated in his first wrestling tournament, which he won easily. This was the beginning of a long and illustrious career, which would see him become one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Gama continued to train hard, honing his skills and techniques, and he quickly gained a reputation as an unbeatable wrestler.

Gama Pehlwan - Wrestler 3

Despite his success in the wrestling arena, Gama never forgot his roots, and he remained deeply committed to his family and his community. He was known for his humility and his generosity, and he often used his success to help those in need. Gama’s early life laid the foundation for his remarkable career, and it was his dedication, hard work, and natural talent that made him one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

Career

Gama Pehlwan’s career as a wrestler spanned several decades, during which he won countless matches and tournaments. He competed in both India and England, where he gained a reputation as one of the toughest wrestlers in the world. Gama’s style of wrestling was unique and highly effective, relying on a combination of strength, technique, and agility to defeat opponents much larger than himself.

One of Gama’s most famous matches was against the wrestler Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala, which took place in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1907. The match lasted for four hours, during which Gama managed to pin his opponent to the ground, winning the bout. This match cemented Gama’s reputation as one of the greatest wrestlers in the world, and it earned him the nickname “The Great Gama”.

Gama Pehlwan - Wrestler 4

Gama’s career was marked by numerous victories and championships, including the Indian Wrestling Championship, which he won seven times in a row between 1910 and 1916. He also won the Rustam-e-Hind, the most prestigious wrestling championship in India, multiple times. Gama’s success in the wrestling arena earned him a place in the hearts of his fans, who revered him as a national hero.

In addition to his success as a wrestler, Gama was also a mentor to many young wrestlers, who looked up to him as a role model. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to share his knowledge and expertise with others. Gama continued to wrestle well into his seventies, and he only retired from the sport shortly before his death in 1963.

Today, Gama Pehlwan is remembered as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and his legacy lives on in the many wrestlers he inspired and trained over the course of his remarkable career.

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Additional Details

  • Gama Pehlwan was a vegetarian and never ate meat, which was considered unusual for a wrestler of his time who typically ate a high protein diet to build muscle.
  • Gama was a highly spiritual person and often meditated and read religious texts. He was known to have recited the Quran daily and believed that his faith was integral to his success as a wrestler.
  • Gama Pehlwan was a polyglot and could speak several languages fluently, including Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, English, and Persian.
  • Gama was a close friend of the Indian freedom fighter and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi. The two men shared a mutual respect and admiration for each other.
  • Gama’s success as a wrestler earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only wrestler in history to have remained undefeated throughout his entire career.
  • Gama Pehlwan was not just a wrestler, he was also an accomplished weightlifter, and he once lifted a stone weighing over 1,200 pounds.
  • Gama was a philanthropist and gave generously to charitable causes throughout his life. He built several schools and hospitals in his native Punjab and donated money to help those affected by natural disasters.
  • After his death, a statue of Gama Pehlwan was erected in his honor in Lahore, Pakistan, where he had lived for much of his life. Today, the statue is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Gama’s enduring legacy.

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