Wrestling is one of the oldest forms of sport known to mankind. It has been very popular in India from ancient times and history bears eloquent testimony to this. There is the memorable fight between Bhima and jarasindhu narrated in the Mahabharata and the dual between Rustom and Sohrab mentioned in Shah Nama. India has produced world-class wrestlers like Bhima and Karna. Balram brother of lord Krishna was a renowned wrestler of his time. In the Ramayan there is mention of King Bali of Vanaras, having won against the mighty Ravana, the king of Lanka in the "Mall Yuddha" wrestling contest.

The name of Bajarang Bali i.e. Hanumanji is symbolic with Indian wrestling and even today people worship him for his prowess and might and seek his blessings for victory. During Sivaji's regime we hear of his son Sambhaji performing great feats in wrestling and finally tearing a lion with his own hands. with such a background, it is not surprising that India in recent times had world beaters of the class of Gama, Kikkar Singh, Karim Bux, Ghulam and Gobr. It is about Kikkar Singh Dev-e-Hind, that his chest measured 80 inches (unexpected). Karim Bux was the first wrestler to get into world headlines, when he defeated Tom Canon of England in 1892. Ghulam accompanied the late Pandit Motilal Nehru, the present Prime Minister's grandfather, to Paris in 1900 and defeated Kader Ali of Turkey to become the world champion. Gobar defeated Ali Santal in San Francisco in 1921 and became the world champion.

The great exploits of Ramzi Pahlwan, Kalloo and labhu Lohar are well known. The high traditions set by our wrestlers were maintained by Rahim Sultaniwala, Viddo (Satara-a-Hind of Lahore), Imam Bux, Bular, Goonga Baliwala, Mhani Reniwala, Gutta Singh Khakhanwala, Hamida, Gainda Singh Johl, Haider Amritsaria, Bholu, Joginder Singh Tiger, Dara Singh and Ajit Singh. India reached its peak of glory in the IV Asian Games (later on called Jakarta Games) in 1962 when all the seven wrestlers were placed on the medal list and in between them they bagged 12 medals in Free and Greco-Roman Styles.

A repetition of this performance was witnessed last year when all the 8 wrestlers sent to the Commonwealth Games at Kingston (Jamaica) had the distinction of getting medals for the country. Our record in other international events- at home and abroad- is equally noteworthy. India is now among the first eight or nine wrestling nations of the world. India is playing host to the world wrestling championships of 1967, which is being held in New Delhi in November 1967.

The P & T Department feels privileged to commemorate the occasion by bringing out a special postage stamp on the 12th November, 1967 the opening day of the championships.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India