gatka
themodern
sikhmartialart?

Taking into account the effect of the British Raj on the life, spirituality and traditions of the Punjab, Gatka is another diseased symptom of this decline.

In fact, the decline of Sanatan Hindu Sikh Shastar Vidiya began two years or so even before annexation of Punjab by the British in 1846 with the ending of the first Anglo-Sikh War as the British began the systematic disarmament of the Punjabi Sikhs.

After 1846, the conquerors dictated that only those Sikhs in the Punjab who were allowed to bare arms were those under British employment.

All other Sikhs were forbidden to do so, including the Akali Nihang Singhs.

Those Sikhs who chose to collaborate with the foreign invaders were allowed to keep their arms. However, their weapons took a transformation as the British Raj military system was different to the Sikh military system.