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Carved from a single piece of black basalt, this 17th century stone dumbbell or ‘nal’ from the Deccan makes a sculptural statement. With its open centre and horizontal grip, this rare object speaks of the wrestler’s hands that would have lifted it.
For the warrior class and nobility of the Indian courts, gymnastics and martial arts were an important part of their position. These ‘dumbbells’ or ‘nals’ would have been part of their physical training, and came in progressive weights for the development of biceps, triceps, and leg muscles. We can see similar weights and training objects depicted in dynamic use by bare-chested acrobats and wrestlers in Ragamala paintings representing Desakh Ragini. Swipe to see the weights in use and for a detail of two wrestlers inlaid in ivory on a rosewood chest (Gujarat or Deccan, c. 1700) made for export to Europe.

1) Wrestler’s weight (Deccan, Golconda or Hyderabad, 17th century; carved basalt; d 19 cm; dia. 27 cm)
2) Image from ‘The Encyclopaedia of Indian Physical Culture’
3) Image of a cabinet with figurative ivory inlay (Gujarat or Deccan, for export to Europe, c. 1700; rosewood inlaid with ivory; h 41 cm; w 61 cm; d: 40 cm)