Sqay

SQAY (Kashmiri: صقاي; sometimes written SQAI) is a TRADITIONAL KASHMIRI MARTIAL ART based on SWORDSMANSHIP + UNARMED COMBAT — originating in the KASHMIR VALLEY (Jammu & Kashmir, India + Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir) with DOCUMENTED history spanning CENTURIES. HISTORY: Kashmiri martial traditions predate the modern era; SQAY is believed to descend from PERSIAN-INFLUENCED CENTRAL ASIAN SWORDSMANSHIP that reached Kashmir via the SILK ROAD + MUGHAL era (16th-19th c). Practiced traditionally by Kashmiri warriors + preserved through folk traditions. Revived as a formal competitive sport in the LATE 20TH CENTURY by GRAND MASTER MIR NAZIR AHMAD (Kashmiri martial artist who codified rules + established international federation 1979). Recognized by INDIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION + featured at KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES + SOUTH ASIAN GAMES since 2010s. GAME MECHANICS — TWO MAIN FORMS: (1) SWORD FIGHTING (LOWH-KHANDA — 'weapon-blade'): Fighters wear FULL PROTECTIVE GEAR — CHEST GUARD, HELMET WITH MESH FACE PROTECTOR, forearm guards, shin guards, groin guard. Fight with TWO WEAPONS: TORA — foam-covered wooden curved sword ~90 cm long (main striking weapon, held in dominant hand); BARGULLA — foam-covered small round SHIELD ~40 cm diameter (held in off-hand for defense). Match takes place on a 6 M × 6 M SQUARE MAT. Bouts are 2 ROUNDS × 2 MINUTES each with rest between. POINTS scored for CLEAN CONTACT with TORA on legal target zones: HEAD (top or side), CHEST, SIDES OF TORSO, ARMS, THIGHS. NO strikes to face-mask/neck/groin/spine/knees allowed. (2) UNARMED SQAY (SINGLE HAND) — includes KICKS, PUNCHES, and THROWS resembling other traditional Asian martial arts; used for self-defense component. RANKING SYSTEM: BELT-COLORED progression like Karate: WHITE → GREEN → BLUE → PURPLE → BROWN → BLACK (with Dan degrees 1-10 for masters). GOVERNING: INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SQAY MARTIAL ARTS (ICSM, founded 1979 in Srinagar, Kashmir); WORLD SQAY FEDERATION (WSF); AMATEUR SQAY FEDERATION OF INDIA (ASFI, national body); PAKISTAN SQAY FEDERATION. COMPETITIONS: KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES (annual, India — Sqay is one of the featured indigenous sports since 2019); SOUTH ASIAN GAMES; ASIAN SQAY CHAMPIONSHIPS; WORLD SQAY CHAMPIONSHIPS held periodically. Countries participating: INDIA, PAKISTAN, IRAN, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, TURKEY, GERMANY, UK, US — mostly through Kashmiri + South Asian diaspora. GROWING FAST especially in India + Pakistan youth PE programs. Notable practitioners: MIR NAZIR AHMAD (founder + Grandmaster); ABDUL RASHID SALARZAI (Pakistan international); multiple Kashmiri regional champions. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Sqay is a source of PRIDE for Kashmiri identity across the LOC (Line of Control), practiced by BOTH INDIAN + PAKISTANI KASHMIRIS + serves as CULTURAL BRIDGE between the two administrations of the divided region. Featured in Kashmiri cultural festivals + celebrations.

Points per clean strike; highest total wins bout.

Win condition · Highest points at end of 2 rounds wins; ties may extend or use judges.

Standard martial arts competition mat; indoor venue.

• Tora (foam-covered curved wooden sword, ~90 cm)

  Primary striking weapon

• Bargulla (foam-covered small round shield, ~40 cm)

  Defensive off-hand shield

• Helmet with mesh face protector

  Mandatory head protection

• Chest guard + forearm + shin + groin protectors

  Full protective gear

• Uniform: white or colored uniform + colored belt (rank)

  Standardized attire

• Combine tora attack with bargulla defense — dual-weapon flow

  Foundation of Sqay.

• Head strike scores highest — set up with feints

  3-pt priority zone.

• Use small mat to control corners

  6m × 6m rewards ring craft.

• Cross-train with other martial arts for well-rounded skills

  Sqay's technique library complements karate/kendo.

Sqay (صقاي)

Traditional Kashmiri martial art.

Tora

Foam-covered curved wooden sword — primary weapon.

Bargulla

Foam-covered small round shield.

Loeh-Khanda

'Weapon-blade' — the sword-fighting form.

Single Hand

The unarmed variant (kicks + punches + throws).

White → Green → Blue → Purple → Brown → Black belts

Rank progression system.

Dan

Master degrees within Black Belt (1-10).

Khelo India

India's youth games — featuring Sqay since 2019.

• Khelo India Youth Games (Sqay)

  annual · India · since 2019

• World Sqay Championships

  biennial · Global · since 1995

• Asian Sqay Championships

  biennial · Asia · since 2000

• South Asian Games (Sqay demonstration)

  biennial · South Asia · since 2016

• National Sqay Championships (India, Pakistan)

  annual · India + Pakistan · since 1980

• 🇮🇳India
• 🇵🇰Pakistan
• 🇮🇷Iran
• 🇲🇾Malaysia
• 🇮🇩Indonesia
• 🇹🇷Türkiye
• 🇩🇪Germany
• 🇬🇧United Kingdom
• 🇺🇸United States
• 🇨🇦Canada
• 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

• International Council of Sqay Martial Arts (ICSM)

  Founded 1979 · Srinagar, Kashmir

• World Sqay Federation (WSF)

  Founded 1995 · Kashmir

• Amateur Sqay Federation of India (ASFI)

  Founded 1980 · New Delhi

• Pakistan Sqay Federation

  Founded 1985 · Islamabad

• Wikipedia — Sqay— Wikipedia
• Amateur Sqay Federation of India— ASFI