The history of martial arts is as old as civilization itself. Scholarly investigations about the origins of martial arts have revealed that the martial arts and its techniques were born in the cradle of civilization itself. Some of the primitive techniques practiced before any civilization had appeared in China or Far East are still practiced. Overtime the concept of primitive Martial arts spread in India and people soon understood the value so of this art and they became adept in various form of martial art to protect themselves and their endeavors.

Soon the practice of martial arts gained prominence in China. . However further the history of this practice has been reduced to a legendary tale by the Chinese revolving around one holy man- Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma belonged to a highly rich Indian family. He left India and his family disheartened with the family’s wealth and sought enlightenment. He wandered and reached China around 520 A.D, and introduced the monks to what was to become Zen Buddhism.

It is said that Bodhidharma whose Chinese name was Ta-Mo, himself meditated continuously in the cave for 9yrs.To help the monks sustain their physical health he taught them exercises that were fundamentally martial arts. They practiced Martial arts as a constituent to health, philosophy and religion.

China soon became known as the home of Martial arts. During this period of development these arts spread to other Asian countries including Japan and Korea. Today these countries have evolved with other forms of native martial arts influenced by the Chinese.

Just as mankind has invented concepts like language, religion and government since civilization began, so martial arts too has been developed and evolved in the same form.

Martial art is not a property of any one person or set of people –it belongs to each one of us and it will continue to gain prominence and existence in the future.