ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gatka

Gatka is a type of traditional martial art that originated in India. It involves using weapons like swords, sticks, and daggers to defend oneself and attack opponents.

Imagine you are playing a game of pretend with your friends, pretending to be knights, pirates, or ninjas. You might have sticks or foam swords that you use to pretend to fight each other. Gatka is like that, but instead of pretending, people are actually learning how to use real weapons and defend themselves in case they ever need to.

The people who practice gatka learn different moves and strategies for using different weapons in different situations. For example, if someone is attacking them with a sword, they might use a stick to block that attack and then strike back. Or they might use a dagger to defend themselves if someone is trying to grab or hold them.

Gatka is also sometimes used in festivals or celebrations in India, where performers will show off their skills to crowds of people. It's a way of keeping a traditional practice alive and celebrating the culture and history of India.