The first written records of Asian martial arts are found in India. Their martial art was called Virami (vee rah me), or Vijramusthi (veej ra moosht hee). Virami means “warrior’s methods” and was standard training for the Kshatriya or warrior cast. Its empty handed techniques included striking, kicking, joint locks and grappling. Weapons included bow and arrow, spear, lathi (laht hee) and the chakra.

Many of the members of the Kshatriya or warrior’s class in India become monks. It is believed that Indian Virami was taken with the monks who traveled to China to teach Buddhism. Virami thus served as the foundation for the many forms of Chuan-fa or “fist methods” that developed in China.