In some sense, the characteristic features of a dangal (tournament) de-
fine a wrestler in India as a pahalwan, but only to the extent that it high-
lights the tension between two alternative modernities. Dangals are
wrestling tournaments that are organized by various local, regional, state,
and national groups, any of which may be either political, economic, or
cultural in orientation. Thus, a village leader, a trade union, or an organi-
zation such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (a militant, pro-Hindu
nationalist organization) may sponsor a dangal. In colonial and precolonial
times, rajas and maharajas organized tournaments, and the success or fail-
ure of a wrestler reflected directly on his patron. Dangals are defined by the
wrestlers who compete, and sponsors often seek to attract well-known
Wrestling and Grappling: India 725A traditional Indian sandpit wrestling match, ca. 1950. (Courtesy of Joe Svinth)