Koshti
/ˈkɒʃ.ti/noun
A traditional form of Iranian or South Asian wrestling, especially associated with Persianate wrestling culture.
Did you know?In Iran’s zurkhaneh, koshti training developed alongside ritual music, poetry, devotional recitation, and highly formalized codes of masculine honor.
Etymological Timeline
Middle Persian period
Middle Persian
kustīg
“Wrestling or a wrestling contest; the likely earlier form behind later Persian variants.”
Early New Persian
Persian
kuštī
“Wrestling, grappling, or combat sport.”
Medieval period
Persianate languages
kuštī / kustī
“A wrestling discipline transmitted through Persian cultural and literary influence.”
Medieval–Early Modern period
Hindi and Urdu
kuśtī / kushtī
“Traditional wrestling, especially the formal practice associated with the akhara training ground.”
Modern English
English
koshti
“A transliterated variant referring to Persian or South Asian traditional wrestling.”