India has international level wrestlers including women. Where did this sport originate and how did it grow in popularity? Epic Channel takes you on a journey to discover the original form of wrestling, Kushti, which was developed in the Mughal Empire. The combat art combined the native malla-yuddha with influences from Persian koshti pahlavani. A practitioner of this sport was referred to as a pehlwan while the teachers were known either as ustad or guru. In the 16th century, the Central Asian Mughals, through the influence of Iranian and Mongolian wrestling, incorporated groundwork to the local malla-yuddha, thereby creating the modern Kushti. During the late 17th century, Ramadasa the father of Indian athletics travelled the country encouraging people to take up a physical activity in homage to the monkey god, Hanuman. Wrestling was the favourite spectator sport of the Rajputs and every prince or chief had a number of wrestling champions to compete for his entertainment. Find out further details about this art form all on this episode.