[note 1][1][3][4][5][6] Whilst the word gatka is commonly employed to refer to the modern Sikh martial art system as a whole, the correct historical term is shastar vidya.

[6] Originally, Gatka was actually part of just one branch (known as an aṅg) of the wider Shastar Vidya martial art system.

[6] According to Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwale, the former Jathedar of the Damdami Taksal, there are two different kinds of the vidya (science/art), the first is performative (meant for exhibition) and the second is authentic and bona fide (which is lethal).

[6] Once a student has reached an advanced level, sparring with actual lethal weapons can occur but it requires stringent discipline and focus.

[6] In-order to produce a capable warrior that is ever reminded of death even while living, the martial art stresses upon both spiritual (meditation and prayer) and temporal strengths (awareness, healthy diet, exercise, and fighting techniques) of humanity.

[6] Some pāitā forms are as follows:[6] The various offensive (attacking) and defensive (blocking) maneuvers of Shastar Vidya are based upon the positioning of the limbs (such as feet and hands) but also weapons during the footwork movements.

[6] Some offensive and defensive maneuvers are as follows:[6] When the student has reached an advanced level, they are then taught about chambers (such as feints) and other misalignment methods.

[6] It is common for particular hymns from the Dasam Granth to be recited as an incantation, such as excerpts from the Shastar Nām Mālā, Tribhaṅgī Chhand, Bhagautī Astotra, and Chaṇḍī dī Vār compositions.

[9] Since the 17th century, the Sikh tribes of the Punjab adopted the martial art and became the chief custodians and masters of this fighting system.

[10][5] Popular 18th century Sikh tradition based upon hagiographies and oral history claims that Guru Nanak had reached mastery of fourteen different subjects, one of which was martial in-nature.

[6] Due to his father's execution by the state, Guru Hargobind enacted militarization reforms of the Sikh community to raise an army of devotees to protect the faith if needed.

[2][6] He combined the martial art with the religious concept of miri and piri, which taught the importance of spiritual but also temporal power and the value of balancing them.

[6] Furthermore, this overarching narrative of a need for warfare to defend Sikh sovereignty is further stated by Rattan Singh Bhangu in-response to inquiries by the British captain David Murray.

[6] The Jaap Sahib composition is said to have been recited by the tenth guru whenever he was instructing in or observing a group of Sikhs practicing the art of shastar vidya after a morning liturgical service.

[6] Due to its banning, many Shastar Vidya masters were either killed or exiled and thus knowledge of the martial art declined.

[10] According to Kamalroop Singh, it is too simplistic and reductionist to blame the decline of traditional Sikh martial art solely on the British administrators.

[11] Rather, he also cites the changing nature of warfare brought on by technological development, seen with the surmounting of traditional martial arts by the adoption of modern firearms.

[11] However, they also affirm that the British administration did persecute ustads (masters) of traditional Sikh martial arts by imprisoning and even hanging them.

[11] In 1878, the Akal Takht sent out a hukamnama that stressed upon the importance of Sikhs learning and maintaining the martial art of shastar vidya.

[6] Writing in 1891, Giani Gian Singh describes the decline of the martial art:[6] Before 1857, many types of weapons and armour were found in every house.

[11] Many teachers of contemporary Shastar Vidya ultimately claim descent from the teacher-student (ustad-shagirad) lineage of Gian Singh 'Rab'.

[6] Many gurdwaras and Sikh organizations have begun to teach the martial art once again, where it is taught and practiced alongside gatka.

[8] The digital age and Internet has led to increased awareness and discussion of the traditional martial art amongst the diasporic Sikh youth.