Gama’s younger brother, Imam Baksh, was born in 1883 in the state of Datia where his father was a court wrestler. After his father’s death in 1886, the brothers were raised by their maternal uncle, Ida Pahelwan, who taught them the basics of the art.
Imam Baksh Pahalwan and Gama both received patronage in various royal courts. They wrestled in the court of Rewa for four years until the maharaja’s untimely death forced them to return to Datia.
Imam Baksh Pahalwan
Pehlwani is a Persian style of wrestling and those who practice this is called Pehalwan. This is practiced mostly in Pakistan, Iran, India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. This requires great courage and strength to beat competitor and such renowned Pehalwan was Imam Baksh Pahalwan.
He enlightened the name of Pakistan as he was entitled as champion of Lahore. The brother of Imam Baksh Pahalwan, Ghulam Mohammad was also a great Pehalwan who went to the tournament in England with other fellow members. Although Imam Baksh was a superior Pehalwan compared to Ghulam Mohammad.
Imam Baksh was having an attractive personality with a height of 5’11 and weight of 205 pounds. He was born in the state of Datia in 1883. The father of Imam Baksh was also a court wrestler who was passed away in 1886 and both his sons Imam Baksh and Ghulam Mohammad were taught the basic of arts by their maternal uncle, Ida Pehalwan. Maharaja Bhopinder Singh employed Imam Baksh as a wrestler in his empire when they witnessed his tremendous talent by fighting a wild bear in the forest.
Imam Baksh was given a title of Rustum-e-Hind by his brother who was unofficially retired. Imam Baksh received this title because he defeated Rahim Sultaniwala within 20 minutes in a major tournament of Kolhapur. Imam Baksh was an unbeatable Pehalwan who was defeated only once by Goonga in 1924. The great Pehalwan kept defeating the best Pehalwan’s such as Hassan Baksh and Kalia Pehalwan. He defeated the young wrestler Goonga in 1935. Imam Baksh lived in Patiala for a long time and he married the daughter of famous Rehmani Pehalwan. Imam Baksh and his family moved to Lahore after the partition. Out of six sons of Imam Baksh five contributed in wrestling whereas his second son did not become professional wrestler.
The sons of great Pehalwan Imam Baksh continued to develop the name of their father in Pakistan and family also owns famous gym. He spent his last days in Pakistan when he was mostly involved in prayers. He also prepared native medicines which he distributed among poor and needy for free. People who met Imam Baksh had a feeling of meeting a true Dervish, a true Yogi. He finally passed away in 1977 by leaving his ballistic sons for keeping his name alive in Pakistan and in the history of Pehlwani (Wrestling).
