WRESTLING IN SIAM

Illustration of a fight in the classical epics of India called Mahabharata (महाभारत) 1500 BC. This illustration resembles some fighting style don't you think? And they talk a lot about the Khmer culture and its influence in Thailand. They say little more that the Indian culture influences the entire eastern region.

Mahabharata

MALLA : Sanskrit, Pali
MALLYUDDHA ( wrestling combat )

Indian sculpture of wrestlers, possibly malla-yuddha (c. 5th century AD)
This terracotta sculpture from 5th century AD India depicts two wrestlers. It is likely this is intended to depict malla-yuddha, a form of south Asian wrestling, as this was the most widespread form of wrestling in India from the 5 to 15th centuries.

Malla-Yuddha (c. 5th century AD) Terracotta Sculpture: Indian Wrestlers

MALLO - wrestler or pro fighter

MUAI - first English translation

First attestation in Ramayana

In this Indian painting shows Ramayana in her this two Mallo - MALLO - wrestler or professional fighter

First attestation in Ramayana

MUAI - first English translation
MUAYTHAI adopted 1973

Muay Thai and Wrestling (Muai Plam มวยปล้ำ ) will always coexist in the kingdom of Siam. In Anna Harriette Leonowens' book entitled The English Governess at the Siamese Court of the year 1870. In which she talks about her experiences while working as a teacher for one of the sons of King Rama IV (King Mongkut).. In this book she talks about having wrestling matches and that these were part of royal entertainment until the 19th century. The name Muay became the name officially and specifically for Siamese Boxing during the reign of King Rama II. Before the name Muai was also used to identify wrestling.

The word Muai or Muay, which is now interpreted as "boxing", but until the early 1920's also "wrestling ," actually came from the term Malla in Sanskrit, meaning wrestling or fighter, whilst Mallo ( Pali) is the professional fighter.

This is a painting from the 1500s depicting a Mughal or Hindu wrestling match. Mughal wrestling was very popular among the population of Siam. Siamese Boxing and Wrestling were very popular in Siamese society in the old days. Siamese Boxing was often used to represent Wrestling.

Mughal wrestling

This is a 15th or 16th century decorative sculpture from Ayutthaya in Siam. Wrestling was a very popular sport in Siam until the reign of King Rama IV (King Mongkut). In the Siamese Royal Court, three methods of combat were practiced: Muay Boran, Wrestling and Sham (fencing and simulated combat using various weapons).

Greenish figurine of two wrestlers found in Sawankhalok in Thailand.
It is dated to the Ayutthaya Period, 15th - 16th centuries.

"Jiaodai" fighter figurines with green glass Henan Museum Collection in the Song Dynasty.

"Jiaodai" fighter figurines with green glass Henan Museum Collection in the Song Dynasty. The Song or Sung dynasty, which ruled China from 960 to 1279.
"Jiaodai" is an ancient Chinese wrestling sport. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it was called "wrestling", which was one of the subjects of military training. Like the statue found in Ayutthaya

Greenish figurine of two fighters

Greenish figurine of two fighters

Sawankhalok, Thailand - Ayutthaya period, 15th to 16th centuries

Sukhothai

Wrestling statues found in Sukhothai