‘The Great Gama’: The Indian Wrestling Legend Who Was Never Defeated And Inspired Bruce Lee

Last Updated:June 29, 2026, 15:02 IST

Gama’s diet was as remarkable as his training. Reports suggest he consumed around 10 litres of milk, 6 desi chickens, half kg ghee, almond sherbet, and nearly 100 rotis every day

Long before modern gyms, protein shakes and fitness influencers, India produced one of the greatest wrestlers the world has ever seen. Known as ‘The Great Gama’, he remained undefeated throughout a career spanning more than five decades and earned global admiration for his extraordinary strength, discipline and endurance. Even martial arts icon Bruce Lee is believed to have drawn inspiration from Gama’s legendary training methods.

Who Was The Great Gama?

Born Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt on May 22, 1878, in Jabbowal village in present-day Punjab, The Great Gama came from a family of wrestlers. His father, Mohammad Aziz Baksh, was a renowned wrestler, but passed away when Gama was just six years old. He was later trained by his maternal grandfather and uncle, who helped shape him into one of the finest wrestlers of his generation.

A Gruelling Training Routine

From a young age, Gama became known for his incredible strength and unmatched work ethic. Historical accounts suggest he trained for nearly 15 hours a day, performing around 5,000 ‘baithaks’ (deep knee bends) and 1,500 ‘dands’ (Hindu push-ups) daily. He also ran with a 54-kg stone tied around his neck to build endurance and strength.

His Extraordinary Diet

Gama’s diet was as remarkable as his training. Reports suggest he consumed around 10 litres of milk, six desi chickens, half a kilogram of ghee, almond sherbet, and nearly 100 rotis every day to fuel his intense workouts.

The Wrestler Nobody Could Defeat

The Great Gama enjoyed an unbeaten career that lasted more than 50 years. He is widely credited with winning over 5,000 wrestling bouts, with no opponent ever defeating him in the arena.

One of his most famous victories came in 1910, when he faced Polish wrestling champion Stanislaus Zbyszko in England. Gama’s performance stunned the wrestling world and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest wrestlers in history.

After returning to India, Gama defeated several top wrestlers, including national champion Rahim Sultaniwala, despite giving away a significant height advantage. While Rahim stood nearly 6 feet 9 inches, Gama was only about 5 feet 8 inches tall. His speed, technique and raw strength earned him the prestigious title of ‘Rustam-e-Hind’.

Gama was so confident in his abilities that he once publicly challenged any three wrestlers, regardless of weight class, to face him within 30 minutes.

The American Wrestler He Crushed

American wrestler Benjamin Roller eventually accepted Gama’s challenge. Gama defeated him in just 1 minute and 40 seconds in their first bout and again in 9 minutes and 10 seconds in the rematch. The very next day, he reportedly defeated 12 wrestlers in succession, further enhancing his legendary status.

Why Bruce Lee Admired Him

The Great Gama’s influence extended far beyond wrestling. Martial arts legend Bruce Lee is believed to have admired Gama’s traditional training methods and incorporated exercises such as ‘baithaks’ and ‘dands’ into his own fitness routine. References to Gama’s workouts have also appeared in Bruce Lee’s training notes, reflecting his respect for the Indian wrestling icon’s strength, endurance and discipline.

His Final Years

After the Partition of India in 1947, Gama settled in Pakistan. During the communal violence, he reportedly helped protect several Hindu families. Despite his legendary status, he faced financial hardship in the final years of his life and passed away in 1960 at the age of 82.

More than six decades later, The Great Gama remains one of the greatest wrestlers in history. His legacy of discipline, resilience and sporting excellence continues to inspire wrestlers, martial artists and fitness enthusiasts around the world.

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