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More than a physical victory, in these 'Dand Yudh', a King desired a moral victory of 'Dharam' over the opposing army.

The outcome of these 'Dand Yudh' could decide the outcome of the entire battle. If the duelists of one side, who represented the best warriors of the army, were all slain, then this psychological blow could crush the moral of that army resulting in its defeat.

'Rasmi Gatka' is culled from the practices described above of 'Dand Yudh', which hark back to the classical times of Mahabharat. Rasmi Gatka, after 1857 was performed as a crowd-pleasing exhibitionist art before religious and cultural Sikh processions, functions or festivals.

Instead of the King, the Gatka practitioners salute (if in Sikh temples) both scripture and weapons. If not in temple but demonstrating at religious or cultural functions, weapons are laid out on the ground in the designated area and saluted. If moving ahead of a religious or cultural procession, the Adi Guru Durbar and weapons are normally placed on a platform on a moving vehicle behind or ahead of the performing 'Gatkabaj'.

Thus after ritual saluting the scripture and/or weapons, the opposing Gatkabaj make a formal salutation to each other - called a 'Fateh Nama'. They then spar with 'Mansui' weapons.