Jyesthimalla

The Jyesthimalla (literally "the greatest warriors") are a clan of martial artists in India who practice the martial art of Vajra Mushti. The clan is mentioned in medieval Indian literature and unlike the South Indian Nair clan, are thought to be Brahmins (priests).

The Jyesthimallas are synomymous with combat in the Indian state of Gujarat and in the past, have been patronised by kings, princes and rulers for many centuries. They have been associated with Indian royalty, like the Gaekwads.

The Jyesthi clan incorporates a knuckleduster like weapon in the martial art of Vajra Mushti.

The "Malla Purana" is a "kula purana", dating most likely to the thirteenth century, about the Jyesthimallas, which categorizes and classifies types of wrestlers, defines necessary physical characteristics, describes types of exercises and techniques of wrestling as well as the preparation of the wrestling pit, and provides a fairly precise account of which foods wrestlers should eat in each season of the year. [Alter, Joseph S. (1992b). The Wrestler's Body: Identity and Ideology in North India. Berkeley: University of California Press.]

Notable Australian martial artist John Will trained with the Jyesthi clan in the Gujarat state of India. His account is one of the few first hand accounts of Vajra Mushti in western media.

External links

* [http://www.bjj.com.au/john_article_web_7.html Vajramushti The Ancient Vale Tudo of India by John B Will]

References