The Gama Pahwalan was not the actual name of the legendary wrestler. He was born Ghulam Mohammad Baksh on May 22nd, 1878, in the Jabbowal vill in Amritsar, India.
| Real Name | Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt |
| Ring Name | The Great Gama |
| Nick Name | Rustam-e-Hind |
| Profession | Wrestler |
| First Encounter | Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala |
| Religion | Kashmiri Muslim |
| Father’s Name | Aziz Baksh |
| Mother’s Name | |
| Place of Birth | Jabbowal, Amritsar |
| Birth | 22 May, 1878 |
| Death | 23 May, 1960 |
| Height of Gama Pehalwan | 1.71 meters |
| Weight of Gama Pehalwan | 113 kg |
| Siblings | Imam Baksh Pahalwan |
| Granddaughter | Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif |
Even the names Rustam-e Hind (Champion of India) and Rustam-eZamana (Champion of the World) don’t do justice when it comes time to discuss the legendary wrestler that is no other than Gama Pehalwan. Gama Pehalwan is the inspiration for many wrestlers across the globe regardless of how many years have gone by. While more than five years have passed, Gama, also referred to as The Undefeated is unbeaten in his hearts across people of the Indian subcontinent.
Biography/ Wiki
The Great Gama The Great Gama, also known by his name in the ring Gama Pehalwan, was born on the 22nd of May, 1878 (82 years) as Ghulam Muhammad Baksh to an ancient Kashmiri Muslim family of wrestlers in the village of Jabbowal, Amritsar, Punjab, British India.
The Baksh family was known to produce top-quality and great wrestlers. In his entire life, the wrestler was famous for challenging national and even internationally renowned wrestlers to take on him. This famous wrestler that he was able to take down his adversaries within a matter of minutes.
Diet & Exercise
If reports are believed to be true, the Great Gama’s diet for the day included 2 Gallons (7.5 Liters) of dairy, 6 chickens from the desi breed as well as more than one pound of crushed almond paste that was made into a drinking tonic.
His training sessions have to be an easy task. Gama used to wrestle with 40 fellow wrestlers on the court. Gama also did 5000 Baithaks (squats) and 3000 Dands (pushups) during the course of a single day.
The early days of the Gama Pahalwan
The Gama Pahwalan is not the actual name of the legendary wrestler. He was born Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, born on 22 May 1878 in the Jabbowal village in Amritsar, India.
He was part of an extended group consisting of Kashmiri Muslims in wrestling.
Family, Wife, and Children of Gama Pehalwan
The father of Gama Pehalwan was “Muhammad Baksh Aziz” and was a wrestler. He was a member of a Muslim Kashmiri family and had one brother who was named “Imam Baksh Pehalwan”.
Gama was married twice in his lifetime; Wazir Begum, and another. He had four sons and five daughters. Kalsoom, his granddaughter Kalsoom is married to Nawaz Sharif. The other sister of Kalsoom, Saira Banu is the wife of Jhara Pehalwan.
Family support and the beginning of the Wrestling Industry
Ghulam Muhammad Baksh Butt’s father i.e. Gama Pehalwan’s grandfather used to wrestle in the Maharaja Bhawani Singh of Datia.
His father Aziz Baksh saw the idea of making Gama a wrestler but, before he was able to make his son a professional wrestler, unfortunately, he passed away. Six-year-old Ghulam Muhammad Baksh Butt was taken in by their maternal grandpa Noon Pehalwan to teach him and his brother how to wrestle. Following this, Gama Pehalwan’s maternal uncle Ida Pehelwan taught both of the boys wrestling techniques.
First Recognition of ‘The Great Gama’ in Wrestling
Because he came from an athletic family, it was obvious that he’d had an inclination towards it since the time he started. He was also a fan of wrestling and began training at the age of 10. It was just at the age of ten in 1988 that his first attention was drawn to him. He was a participant in a tough man contest at Jodhpur with hundreds of grapplers who participated.
Retirement
Before the time of his retirement, in 1952 Gama was unable to locate another opponent. Following his departure, Gama trained his nephew Bholu Pahalwan, who won his own Pakistani title for more than twenty years.
Death
In his final moments, Gama suffered from a chronic disease and was unable to fund his medical treatment. In order to help him, G. D. Birla who was an industrialist and wrestler gave him his money to the charity Rs2,000, and also a monthly allowance of 300 rupees. It was the Government of Pakistan also supported the cost of his medical bills until the day of his death, 23 May 1960.
