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{{Short description|Indian pole-related sport}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = November 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox sport
| name = Mallakhamba
| image = Malakhambha pradarshana Nudisir 2015 02.JPG
| alt =
| caption = A mallakhamba team performs on the pole, 2015
| union = Mallakhamb Federation of India
| nickname = 
| first = c. 2nd century BCE
| firstlabel =
| registered =
| clubs =
| contact =
| team =
| mgender = Yes
| type = Indoor or outdoor, gymnastics, [[pole sports]]
| equipment = Wrestling grips, vertical pole
| venue =
| glossary =
| region = India
| olympic = [[1936 Summer Olympics|1936]]
| world =
| paralympic =
| obsolete =
| IWGA =
}}
'''Mallakhamba''', or '''Mallakhamb''' or '''Mallarkambam''' is a [[Traditional games of India|traditional sport]], originating from the [[Indian subcontinent]], in which a group of [[gymnast]]s perform aerial [[yoga]] and [[gymnastic]] postures using [[wrestling]] grips in concert with a stationary vertical pole. The word mallakhamba also refers to the pole used in the sport.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/gamessportscultu0000unse/page/96|title=Games, sports and cultures|date=2000|publisher=Berg|last=Dyck|first=Noel|isbn=1-85973-312-3|location=Oxford|oclc=44485325|page=[https://archive.org/details/gamessportscultu0000unse/page/96 96]}}</ref> The pole is usually made from [[sheesham|shisham]] (Indian rosewood) polished with [[castor oil]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yWVYAAAAYAAJ&q=mallakhamb Sport in the USSR. - Issues 1-12; Issues 286-297, pp.9]</ref> Other popular versions of ''mallakhamba'' are practiced using a cane or a rope instead of a pole.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Bromber |editor1-first=Katrin |editor2-last=Krawietz |editor2-first=Birgit |editor3-last=Maguire |editor3-first=Joseph |title=Sport Across Asia: Politics, Cultures, and Identities |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-88438-9 |oclc=800447515 |page=137 }}</ref> The origins of [[pole dancing]] can be traced back to the sport of ''mallakhamba''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kapur |first1=Mallika |title=Aarifa Bhinderwala: India's pioneering pole dancer |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/11/asia/aarifa-bhinderwala-her-india/index.html |work=CNN |date=11 September 2017 }}</ref>

The name ''mallakhamba'' derives from the terms ''malla'', meaning wrestler, and ''khamba'', which means a pole. Literally meaning "wrestling pole", the term refers to a traditional training implement used by wrestlers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.evergalax.com/content/mallakhamb|title=Mallakhamb – History, Indian Gymnastic Pole, Information In English|date=12 September 2018|location=Mumbai, India}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On April 9, 2013, the Indian state of [[Madhya Pradesh]] declared ''mallakhamba'' to be an official state sport. By 2017, more than 20 other states in India had added it as one of their state sports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/photos-mallakamb-the-art-of-aerial-yoga/photo-P5Ml0CXIN6UMPP5846OexJ.html|title=Mallakamb: The art of aerial yoga|date=2017-06-11|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2019-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114212901/https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/photos-mallakamb-the-art-of-aerial-yoga/photo-P5Ml0CXIN6UMPP5846OexJ.html|archive-date=November 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Performing mallakhamb.jpg|thumb|300px|Performing mallakhamb]]

Early examples of ''mallakhamba'' are seen on [[Chandraketugarh]] pottery from between the 2nd century BCE and 1st century CE, where figures are shown exhibiting gymnastics by [[hanging]] on a pole like structure in the [[shape]] of a T which is held by another person. In 7th century CE, [[Chinese Buddhist]] [[pilgrim]] [[Xuanzang|Xuanzhang]] provides evidence of pole climbing of the pillar cult which he witnessed at Prayagraj. Xuanzhang records that Hindu ascetics climbed the top of a pole situated at Prayagraj, clinging onto it with one hand and one foot, and watched the sunset with their heads turned to the right as it set, marking it as a type a solar rite.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Irwin |first1=John |title=The ancient pillar-cult at Prayāga (Allahabad): its pre-Aśokan origins |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland |date=April 1983 |volume=115 |issue=2 |pages=253–280 |doi=10.1017/S0035869X00137487 |jstor=25211537 |s2cid=162953368 }}</ref> The earliest mention of ''mallakhamba'' in a literary work is in the 1135 CE Sanskrit classic ''[[Manasollasa]]'', written by the Western Chalukya king [[Someshvara III]]. A [[Rajput]] painting from 1610 CE shows athletes performing various [[acrobatics]], including [[pole climbing]], while dancing to Raga Desahka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?assetId=123705001&objectId=183952&partId=1|title=painting|website=British Museum|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215155955/https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?assetId=123705001&objectId=183952&partId=1|archive-date=February 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A Mughal painting from 1670 depicts athletes practicing [[Indian club|club swinging]], weightlifting, and pole climbing similar to ''mallakhamba''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/6980/9856/0/15059|title=Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art|last=Ashmolean Museum|first=University of Oxford|website=jameelcentre.ashmolean.org|language=en|access-date=2019-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231438/http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/6980/9856/0/15059|archive-date=February 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Little mention of ''mallakhamba'' exists between the late 17th century to the late 18th century, until it received new interest from Balambhatta Dada Deodhar, the teacher of [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao II]]. During the first half of the 19th century, [[Rani of Jhansi|Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi]] learned ''mallakhamba'' with her childhood friends [[Nana Saheb]] and [[Tantia Tope]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Deepa |first1=Agarwal |title=Puffin Lives: Rani Laxmibai: The Valiant Queen of Jhansi |date=2009 |publisher=Penguin Books India PVT, Limited |isbn=978-0-14-333084-4 |oclc=666466167 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h747vxHZd9wC&q=mallkhamb&pg=PT10#v=snippet&q=mallkhamb&f=false}}</ref>

{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}}

''Mallakhamba'' was [[Indian sports at the 1936 Summer Olympics|demonstrated]] at the [[1936 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="Nag 2021">{{cite web |last=Nag |first=Utathya |date=2021-04-21 |title=Was kabaddi in Olympics? Here's the truth |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/kabaddi-in-olympics-berlin-1936-exhibition-sport |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Olympics.com}}</ref> Competitive ''mallakhamba'' made its first appearance in 1958 at the National Gymnastics Championships (NGCs) held at the Pahadganj Stadium, [[Delhi]], [[India]]. The Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) proposed to recognize the game and include it in subsequent NGCs. The first national ''mallakhamba'' championships were held in 1962 at [[Gwalior]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], as part of the NGCs. Around 1968, the game was introduced in the All-India Inter-University Gymnastics Championships. The national ''mallakhamba'' championships were organized annually by the GFI until 1976. In 1977, the ''mallakhamba'' championships were removed from the GFI, and no major championship games were held until 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ramendra Singh|date=Aug 31, 2020 |title=MP state sport, mallakhamb, makes it to Tokyo Olympics {{!}} Bhopal News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/mp-state-sport-mallakhamb-makes-it-to-tokyo-olympics/articleshow/77843860.cms |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

Bamshankar Joshi and other ''mallakhamba'' enthusiasts in [[Ujjain]], Madhya Pradesh, founded an all-India level organization named the Mallakhamb Federation of India. The first all-India national ''mallakhamba'' championships were organized by the new sports association in 1981 from January 28 to 29 at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The event brought in representatives from all over India. The national ''mallakhamba'' championships have since been organized by different state associations affiliated to this federation.

Competitively, there are three variations of ''mallakhamba'' which have been in practice since 1937:

# Pole ''mallakhamba''
# Hanging ''mallakhamba''
# Rope ''mallakhamba''

All variations are practiced by both men and women, though pole ''mallakhamba'' is more commonly practiced by men, and rope ''mallakhamba'' by women.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Pole dancing, empowerment and embodiment|last=Holland, Samantha.|date=2010|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-29043-3|location=Houndmills, Balsingstoke, Hampshire|oclc=688185171|page=62}}</ref> All ''mallakhamba'' competitions are organized under the rules made by the Mallakhamb Federation of India, and 28 states are affiliated to the Federation. Himani Uttam Parab won gold medal in rope long set in the first World Mallakhamb Championship 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Shikhar Dhawan to Ankita Raina: A look at players who won prestigious Arjuna award this year |url=https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-shikhar-dhawan-to-ankita-raina-a-look-at-players-who-won-prestigious-arjuna-award-this-year-429127 |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=WION |date=November 13, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Variations and specifications ==
=== Pole ''mallakhamba'' ===
In this variation, a vertical wooden pole made of [[teak]] wood or [[sheesham]] is fixed to the ground. The pole is smeared with [[castor oil]], which helps to minimize excessive friction. Participants perform various acrobatic feats and poses while hanging on the pole. Wrestlers mount, dismount, and utilize the pole for various complex [[calisthenics]] designed to develop their grip, stamina, and strength in the arms, legs, and upper body.

There are a number of different types of pole, although the most common is a free-standing upright pole, some eight to ten inches in diameter, planted into the ground. The pole used in competitions is a straight pole made of teak or sheesham wood, standing {{convert|2.6|m|ft}} in height with a circumference of {{convert|55|cm|in}} at the base. It gradually tapers to a circumference of {{convert|35|cm|in}} at the top.

The specifications of pole ''mallakhamba'' are as follows:

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
!Range
!Height (senior group)
!Height (sub-junior group)
|-
|colspan="3"|Note: All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)
|-
|Above the ground
|2600 to 2800
|2400 to 2600
|-
|Under the ground
|800 to 900
|700 to 800
|-
|Neck
|180 to 200
|180 to 200
|-
|Top
|70
|60
|-
|Total length
|3400 to 3700
|3100 to 3400
|-
!colspan="3"|Circumference
|-
|colspan="3"|Note: All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)
|-
|Bottom
|530 to 550
|480 to 500
|-
|Below the neck
|300 to 350
|300 to 350
|-
|Neck
|180 to 200
|180 to 200
|-
|Top
|350
|300
|-
|}

=== Hanging ''mallakhamba'' ===
This type of ''mallakhamba'' is similar to pole ''mallakhamba'', but uses a shorten wooden pole shorter than the one used in pole ''mallakhamba''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Mallakhamb |url=https://tamilnadumallakhambassociation.com/about-mallakhamb/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Tamilnadu Mallakhamb Association |language=en-US}}</ref> Instead of being planted into the ground, the pole is hung with hooks and a chain, leaving a gap between the ground and the bottom of the ''mallakhamba''.

The specifications of hanging ''mallakhamba'' are as follows:

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
!Range
!Height
|-
|colspan="3"|Note: All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)
|-
|{{Clarify|reason=Missing range|date=November 2019}}
|1700 to 1900
|-
|Neck height
|180 to 200
|-
|Top height
|70
|-
|Distance between bottom and ground
|650 to 700
|-
|Height of the structure
|4600 to 4800
|-
!colspan="2"|Circumference
|-
|colspan="3"|Note: All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)
|-
|Bottom
|4500 to 5000
|-
|Neck
|180 to 200
|-
|Below the neck
|250 to 300
|-
|}

=== Rope ''mallakhamba'' ===
In this variation, the participants perform exercises while hanging on a rope suspended from a support at the top.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/mallakhamb-ancient-indian-sport|title=Mallakhamb: Ancient Indian sport|date=5 December 2012|newspaper=MSN News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116105646/http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/mallakhamb-ancient-indian-sport|archive-date=16 January 2013|location=India}}</ref> The rope is typically {{Convert|5.5|m|ft|abbr=}} long, and approximately {{Convert|1 to 2|cm|in|abbr=}} in diameter. The rope is caught by the performer in the gap between the big toe and the second toe, along with one or both hands. After climbing upwards on the rope, the performer ties the rope around the body through a sequence of steps. The performer then reaches various positions called ''Udi'' ("to fly"), some of which are imitations of standard [[asana]].

Rope ''mallakhamba'' was historically performed on a piece of [[Cane (grass)|cane grass]], but due to the lack of access to cane, a cotton rope is commonly used. Performers are expected to perform various exercises without knotting the rope in any way.

The specifications of rope ''mallakhamba'' are as follows:

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
!Dimension
!Measurement (Senior Group)
!Measurement (Sub-Junior Group)
|-
|colspan="3"|Note: All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)
|-
|Length
|6000 to 6500
|6000 to 6500
|-
|Thickness
|18 to 20
|12 to 13
|-
|Height of the structure
|5800 to 6000
|5800 to 6000
|-
|}

== Official international organizations ==
* Vishwa Mallakhamb Federation (VMF)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/india-hosts-first-ever-world-mallakhamb-championship-in-mumbai-5590757/|title = India hosts first-ever World Mallakhamb Championship in Mumbai|date = February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/india-win-team-event-at-mallakhamb-world-championship-2039549.html|title = India Win Team Event at Mallakhamb World Championship|date = February 17, 2019}}</ref>
* Mallakhamb Confederation of World (MCW)
* Asian Mallakhamb Federation (AMF)
* South Asian Mallakhamb Federation (SAMF)
* Mallakhamb Federation USA (MFU)

== Official Indian mallakhamb sport national organizations ==
* '''Mallakhamb Federation''', widely known as '''Mallakhamb Federation of India (MFI)''', registered on 7 June 1984<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mallakhamb Federation Of India - About MFI |url=https://mallakhambfederationofindia.com/about_mfi.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104105643/http://mallakhambfederationofindia.com/about_mfi.php |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 4, 2022 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=mallakhambfederationofindia.com}}</ref> with Registration No. 13752 in [[Ujjain]], M.P. It is affiliated with Vishwa Mallakhamb Federation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VISHWA MALLAKHAMB FEDERATION |url=https://vishwamallakhamb.com/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=vishwamallakhamb.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mallakhamb Federation Of India - World Championship |url=https://mallakhambfederationofindia.com/world-championship.php |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=mallakhambfederationofindia.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424110618/https://mallakhambfederationofindia.com/world-championship.php|archive-date=24 April 2023|url-status=usurped}}</ref> In September 2022, ''[[The Times of India]]'' revealed that following allegations for sexual harassment and the failure to comply with the national sports code of India 2011, the MFI's recognition as a National Sports Federation was withdrawn and its annual financial grant stopped by the sports ministry.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Sabi |title=Mallakhamb federation's president resigns over sexual harassment charges |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/mallakhamb-federations-president-resigns-over-sexual-harassment-charges/articleshow/94316158.cms |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |date=20 September 2022 }}</ref>
* '''Mallakhamb Sports Federation of India (MSFI)''' has been affiliated with Mallakhamb Confederation of World (MCW), Asian Mallakhamb Federation (AMF), South Asian Mallakhamb Federation (SAMF).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mallakhamba |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/1455914291329179/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |publisher=Facebook|language=en}}</ref>

===Indian National Sports Award recipients===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:73%"
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Year
! scope="col" style="width:30%" | Recipient
! scope="col" style="width:19%" | Award
! scope="col" style="width:16%" | Gender
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Ref(s)
|- {{anchor|MallakhambAA}}
| style="text-align:center;" |2020
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Yogesh|Malviya|nolink=1}}
| [[Dronacharya Award]] || Male || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1647633|title=National Sports Awards 2020 announced – Rohit Sharma, Mariyappan T., Manik Batra, Ms Vinesh and Ms Rani bag the Khel Ratna|date=2020-08-21|publisher=Press Information Bureau Delhi|access-date=2024-08-07}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |2021
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Himani|Parab|nolink=1}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Arjuna Award]] || Female || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://alumni.deccansociety.org/newsroom/news/Kirti-College-student-Ms-Himani-Parab-won-the-Arjuna-Award-2021.dz|title=Kirti College student Ms. Himani Parab won the Arjuna Award 2021|date=2021-12-11|publisher=Deccan Education Society Alumni Network|access-date=2024-08-07}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |2022
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Sagar Kailas|Ovhalkar|nolink=1}}
| Male || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-chemburs-mechanical-engineer-becomes-first-man-to-receive-arjuna-award-for-mallakhamb|title=Mumbai: Chembur's mechanical engineer becomes first man to receive Arjuna Award for Mallakhamb|date=2022-12-18|publisher=The Free Press Journal|access-date=2024-08-07}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[Bo-taoshi]]
* [[Chinese pole]]
* [[Insuknawr]]
* [[Kalaripayattu]]
* [[Malla-yuddha]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite thesis |last1=Burtt |first1=Jon |title=Mallakhamb: An investigation into the Indian physical practice of rope and pole Mallakhamb |date=2010 |url=https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1870/ }}
* {{Cite web|title=IndiaPress.org|work=Listing of traditional games and sports of India|url=http://sports.indiapress.org/mallakhamb.php|accessdate=April 1, 2007}}
* {{Cite web|title=mallkhambindia.com|work=Mallakhamb: The Authentic Indian Sport|url=http://www.mallkhambindia.com/|accessdate=April 1, 2007|archive-date=May 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515144433/http://mallkhambindia.com/|url-status=dead}}
* {{Cite web|title=aquafishsilver.com|work="MALLAKHAMB" – A Great Traditional Ancient Art of Indian Physical Culture.|url=http://www.aquafishsilver.com/aquafishsilver/mbfwhtml/healthandfitness_mallakhamb_the_complete_body_workout.html|accessdate=April 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702144200/http://www.aquafishsilver.com/aquafishsilver/mbfwhtml/healthandfitness_mallakhamb_the_complete_body_workout.html|archive-date=July 2, 2007|url-status=dead}}
* {{Cite book|editor-last=Mujumdar|editor-first=D.C.|title=The Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture|publisher=Baroda: Sree Ram Vijaya Printing Press|year=1950}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101210030821/http://library.thinkquest.org/11372/data/mallakhamb.htm Mallakhamb] on [[ThinkQuest]] (archive)

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Malkhamb}}
* [http://www.mallakhambindia.com Mallakhamb India website]
* [https://mallakhambinusa.org/ Mallakhamb in USA website]

[[Category:Cultural history of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Culture of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Exercise equipment]]
[[Category:Gymnastics apparatus]]
[[Category:Gymnastics disciplines]]
[[Category:Sport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Sports originating in India]]
[[Category:Traditional sports of India]]
[[Category:Yoga]]
[[Category:Wrestling in India]]
[[Category:Indian inventions]]

Mallakhamba - Revision history

TeresitaBunch at 17:53, 27 November 2025