Gama Pehalvan: The man who singlehandedly shielded the Hindus in 1947

[enkidu_]

Among his legendary accomplishments was when he challenged the top 12 wrestlers of Europe and America to a bout on the same day and one after the other defeated them all, none lasting more than a few seconds!

A few years ago an international tournament of Desi Kushti was held in Kohlapur district in India’s Maharashtra state. Some wrestlers from Lahore were taking part and a rumor spread that in one of the bouts the great grandson of Gama Pehalvan is taking part. Astonishingly a crowd of 200,000 poor villagers stood in rain for 14 hours to catch a glimpse of this man only because of his heritage, the local newspaper declared, “The grandson of the God of Wrestling is coming.” I am not sure if the grandson of the God did come but certainly such an honor would not even be reserved for Sachin Tendulkar.

Ghulam Mohammaed, known as Great Gama was an incredible man and perhaps did have superhuman powers. Born in Amritsar to a Kashmiri family, he went on to win titles of Rustam-e-Hind (Champion of India) and Rustam-e-Zaman (Champion of the Universe). During a career of over 50 years he was never defeated, even though at 5 foot 7 inches he was usually much shorter than his opponent.

His diet and exercise routine were legendary and included several gallons of milk, 3000 push-ups and 5,000 sit ups every day! The famous martial arts star Bruce Lee acknowledged his respect for the Great Gama and claimed that he had adopted parts of his diet and exercise routine in his own training.

Among his legendary accomplishments was when he challenged the top 12 wrestlers of Europe and America to a bout on the same day and one after the other defeated them all, none lasting more than a few seconds!

Early in 1947 with the fire of hate spreading through Punjab Gama Sahib moved to Lahore and settled on Mohni Road. Gama Sahib told the Hindus of his mohala that if they are attacked he will defend them with his life and when one day a mob approached the community Gama Sahib stood in front of them with all of his group of wrestlers, as the leading hooligan came near a slap from Gama Sahib sent him flying and the rest ran away never to come again.

A few days later Gama Sahib escorted all the Hindus to the border where with tears streaming from his eyes he bade them goodbye giving them one weeks food from his own money.

Unfortunately towards the end of his life he struggled financially and is rather unknown among the present generation of Pakistani youth despite the fact that he is the great grandfather of Kalsum Nawaz, the wife of Nawaz Sharif.

http://nation.com.pk/blogs/08-May-2...ala-against-a-religiously-charged-mob-in-1947

 

[enkidu_]

While this may seem like an absurd and mammoth task, that’s what “The Great Gama” did at the age of 24 – but instead of two baby elephants, he lifted a rock weighing 1,200 kg. When the rock was shifted much later to a museum, it took nearly 25 men to do what the Gama could do alone.
(...)
Gama’s first major bout came in 1895 when he faced Raheem Baksh Sultaniwala, the Indian wrestling giant of the time. Raheem’s bulky frame of 6’9” made him favourable to winning, but Gama proved to be more than a worthy contender. Their match lasted for hours and ended in a draw, while catapulting Gama to the limelight.
(...)
Gama was a champion through-and-through. Post Partition, the wrestler went to settle in Lahore, Pakistan. He lived on Mohni Road, where also lived a Hindu community. When the post war mobs were ravaging the areas on both sides of the border, they also reached Mohni Road.

The Gama vowed to save the lives of the Hindus with his own. When the mobs reached them, he stood along with his wrestlers and hit the mobs which then did not dare to lift a finger against the Hindus.
(...)

https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/05/22/ghulaam-mohammed-the-great-gama-indian-wrestler

 

[CricketCartoons]

Sounds like a fan made script bollywood instead of reality. Physique looks ordinary by today's standards. Can't believe he did 3000 push ups and 5000 sit ups and a slap send someone flying.

Good point about his short height. It must have been an advantage in wrestling, with lower centre of gravity.

 

[CricketCartoons]

He lifted 1200 kg rock. When the best can barely lift 500 kg in deadlift.

But good on him to protect the lives of people..that deserves respect. Not his fault that todays fans try to make him a superman.

 

[big_gamer007]

People exaggerate things of the past but great gama was extremely famous back in his time and is spoken of as a legend as per my parents/grandparents.. Seems he was a good human being too respect to the great man..

 

[enkidu_]

Sounds like a fan made script bollywood instead of reality. Physique looks ordinary by today's standards. Can't believe he did 3000 push ups and 5000 sit ups and a slap send someone flying.

Good point about his short height. It must have been an advantage in wrestling, with lower centre of gravity.

Modern standards are more about fitness than strength I think.

It might sound borderline hagiographic sometimes but his greatness was unanimously recognized back in the days already.

 

[last_knight]

He lifted 1200 kg rock. When the best can barely lift 500 kg in deadlift.

But good on him to protect the lives of people..that deserves respect. Not his fault that todays fans try to make him a superman.

We don't know if it was an overhead lift or just lifted off the ground in which case fans can always omit the words "off the ground" thus creating an impression that it was an overhead lift. Subtle details, or their omissions, are deceiving enough.

 

[Mamoon]

His legend is exaggerated like most of the past cricketers/athletes. He was undoubtedly the best wrestler of his time, perhaps even in the world, but he was not a Hercules like he is portrayed to be. The feats of his strength and fitness routine are not humanly possible, and neither is the consumption of 15 litres of milk per day. Without going into medical jargon, in layman terms, the human stomach cannot digest so much milk, it is simply not possible. It is like asking a fish to fly.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Modern standards are more about fitness than strength I think.

It might sound borderline hagiographic sometimes but his greatness was unanimously recognized back in the days already.

Back in the days when people even believed miracles and there was no way to verify the truth. Today's manchild drools over batman and fake wwe wrestlers, the paindoos back then believed in the tall tales of superhuman wrestlers who could lift 1200 kg rock. He was a good wrestler at best and a good human being. Rest is noise.

 

[Black Zero]

Sounds like a fan made script bollywood instead of reality. Physique looks ordinary by today's standards. Can't believe he did 3000 push ups and 5000 sit ups and a slap send someone flying.

Good point about his short height. It must have been an advantage in wrestling, with lower centre of gravity.

totally agree, he could have used Sallu's trainer.

 

[troodon]

http://nation.com.pk/blogs/08-May-2...ala-against-a-religiously-charged-mob-in-1947

This man looks like Bhim from Mahabharata. That Gadha in his hands looks awesome.