Martial arts are an age-old practice, often associated with physical and mental discipline. While many people are familiar with the Indian martial art, Kalaripayattu, not many are aware of the martial arts that existed before it.

The earliest evidence of martial arts is found in India, in the form of inscriptions on rocks and temple walls dating back to the 3rd century BCE. These inscriptions suggest that systems of unarmed combat were practiced in India at the time. It is believed that these systems were the precursors of Kalaripayattu.

In addition to India, martial arts were also practiced in China, Japan, and Korea. In China, martial arts were known as Wushu and were practiced by the military and by Buddhist monks. In Japan, martial arts were known as Bujutsu and were practiced by the samurai. In Korea, martial arts were known as Taekwondo and were practiced by the military and by Buddhist monks.

All of these martial arts systems had some similarities, such as the use of kicks, punches, and throws. They also had some differences, such as the weapons used and the techniques employed.

The practice of martial arts has evolved over the centuries, and Kalaripayattu is just one of the many forms of martial arts that exist today. While we may never know exactly what martial arts existed before Kalaripayattu, we can be sure that martial arts were an important part of life in the ancient world.

The martial arts of the East have been around for centuries, with each country having its own unique style and history. Among these, Kalaripayattu stands out as the oldest known martial art form in the world, having originated in Kerala, India over 3000 years ago. But what martial arts existed in the East before Kalaripayattu?

One of the earliest martial arts to have been documented in the East is the Chinese martial art known as Wushu. This form of martial arts has a long and storied history, having been practiced in China since ancient times. Wushu is a comprehensive practice involving physical, mental and spiritual aspects, and is said to have originated from Taoism. It incorporates elements from various Chinese martial arts disciplines and is said to have been taught to various Chinese dynasties over the centuries.

Another early martial art to have been documented in the East is the Japanese martial art of Jujutsu. This form of martial arts was developed by monks in Japan during the 15th century. Jujutsu is a form of unarmed combat which focuses on manipulating an opponent's energy instead of relying on physical strength. It incorporates techniques from various Japanese martial arts, such as Judo, Aikido and Karate, and is known for its effectiveness in self-defense.

The ancient art of Kalaripayattu is an important part of the martial arts tradition of the East, but it is far from the only form of martial arts to have originated in the region. Wushu and Jujutsu are two of the earliest known martial arts forms to have been documented in the East, and each has its own unique history and style.

The earliest martial arts known to have existed before the advent of Kalaripayattu can be traced back to the 10th century BC in ancient India. This ancient form of martial arts was known as Malla-yuddha, which translates to "wrestling combat". This form of martial arts is believed to have originated in the regions of what is now modern-day India and Pakistan. Malla-yuddha was an ancient form of hand-to-hand combat that focused on grappling, throws, and locks. The techniques used in Malla-yuddha were later incorporated into Kalaripayattu, making it one of the oldest martial arts in the world.

In addition to Malla-yuddha, there were several other martial arts that were practiced in ancient India. These include Varma Kalai, an ancient martial art that focused on pressure points, and Pankrations, a form of martial arts that was derived from wrestling and boxing. Both of these martial arts were practiced in India, but eventually faded away with the advent of Kalaripayattu.

In China, a form of martial arts known as Shuai jiao was practiced as early as the 8th century BC. Shuai jiao was a form of unarmed combat that incorporated a variety of techniques such as joint locks, throws, and strikes. It is believed that the techniques used in Shuai jiao were later adopted by Kalaripayattu, making it the oldest martial art in China.

Finally, there was a form of martial arts known as Chuan Fa, which was practiced in China during the 5th century BC. Chuan Fa was a form of unarmed combat that focused on strikes, throws, and joint locks. This form of martial arts is believed to have been adopted by Kalaripayattu, making it the oldest martial art in China.

While the exact origins of Kalaripayattu are unknown, it is clear that it was influenced by the various martial arts that existed before it. It is likely that the techniques used in these ancient forms of martial arts were adopted and adapted by the practitioners of Kalaripayattu, making it one of the oldest and most influential martial arts in the world.