Seeds of Legacy Sown: The Remarkable Journey of Spreading His Martial Art Heritage

While Sqay remains at the heart of Mir Nazir's journey, this chapter sheds light on their broader contributions to society. We explore their efforts in promoting cultural exchange, fostering peace and harmony, and nurturing young talent in various fields. Through his initiatives, Grandmaster leaves an enduring legacy that extends far beyond the revival of Sqay.Even though he was a trainee himself, Nazir was soon asked by the college management to teach karate to the trainees due to his extensive knowledge in the field. He had also participated in Karate events at the University level. So in a way, it was him returning to the same art. Nazir started expanding his horizons. He learned many more forms of martial arts and started improvising his moves.

He participated in his first international event in karate in Mumbai in 1987, where ten countries participated. However, during an international event in Toronto, Canada, in 1985, Mir Nazir Ahmad became interested in promoting the traditional martial art of Kashmir, which he believed was not receiving the recognition it deserved.

As an international player, he visited different places around the world and noticed they had their own respective martial arts. The curiosity to trace Kashmir’s indigenous martial art led him to many texts and chronicles concerning Kashmir. Ultimately, he came across Sqay, which was prevalent in ancient Kashmir as war art. And got to know that, "In Sqay, we learn that true strength lies not only in the muscles but also in the mind and the heart."

Sqay is a Persian word that means knowledge of war. Nazir found that in ancient Kashmir kings used to train their army in Sqay martial arts to protect themselves from enemies. He also read that people also used Sqay to prey on wild animals in forests.

In those days, Sqay was known locally as ‘Shamsheerizen’, which was also displayed on certain festive occasions like marriage functions and fairs. However, the art faded away after 1819. For reviving this traditional art form, Nazir reintroduced Sqay as a sport in Kashmir on 7, 1987.

In his research, he further discovered that Kashmir had its own fighters known as ‘Shemsherzan’ who were experts in using swords, as documented in the oldest historical chronicle of Jammu and Kashmir, the Rajtarangni - written by Pandit Kalhana. Inspired by this knowledge, he started working on promoting SQAY, an ancient traditional martial art of Kashmir, in 1987. He started imparting training and teaching techniques and skills to athletes in this art, and framed the sport’s rules and regulations. He incorporated terms from Persian/Pashtu and Kashmiri into the sport's rules and regulations, which the technical officials use while awarding points during the bout.

Initially, people took less interest in learning this art, so Nazir focused on Thang-Ta, which is a traditional martial art form of Manipur. While coaching youngsters at the National Institute of Martial Arts ( NIMA) in Pampore, Nazir persuaded his friends and co-trainers to adopt Sqay. The Grand Master founded an organization for the promotion of Sqay with assistance from like-minded people in his native town, including Ali Mohammad Naiko, Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir, and Murrawat Hussein. This organization was the precursor to today’s International Council of Sqay.

After instructing his friends and the people of his own state, Nazir began to spread the sport throughout the nation and the world. When Maharashtra State embraced the sport following a demonstration by him, his spirits were raised. The first nation to accept Sqay was Thailand. However, the biggest step forward occurred in 2006, when this sport was accepted by about 20 nations following a demonstration by the Grand Master in Bangladesh.

When Mir started on the journey of getting Sqay popularized, he faced hurdles at many steps. First, it was not a recognized sport, and governments were apathetic toward its situation. Second, Kashmir was a troubled zone. Those were the bloodiest days of its history. Survival was the first thing on people’s minds. People who could afford to live elsewhere left the valley and settled in peaceful areas, seeking a secure life. There was a lack of funding, support, and public interest. Mir Nazir Ahmed faced it all. If his battle was hard and long, he was indeed a warrior.

And finally, he made it, In 2004, he succeeded in his endeavor to bring SQAY Martial Art to the National level when it was incorporated in the National School Games Calendar by the School Games Federation of India (the Federation Responsible for Organising National School Games) and as of date SQAY Martial Art is a regular feature of School Games Federation of India. Ever since it was adopted in the Calendar of Activities by the Youth Services and Sports Department, most of the medals the Jammu and Kashmir players win come from this sport. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is leading in medal Tallies at the National level as the Athletes are trained at the Grassroots level in training centers opened by the SQAY Martial Arts athletes who are well versed in this Sport. These training centers also provide a livelihood to the trainers, as parents voluntarily register their children in these centers to improve their skills.

Thanks to the popularity of the sport which can only be credited to Mir Nazir, the SQAY training is imparted in schools in Jammu and Kashmir as so many Physical Education Teachers have been trained at the Zonal level by the Department of Youth Services and Sports to promote the sports at grassroots level. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the ancient Shamsherizen has restored much of its past glory thanks to the efforts of one lone warrior.

After working hard, the Sport was recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in 2015, and since then, regular competitions have been organized at the National level.

Mir Nazir didn't look back and took SQAY Martial Arts to the International level. At present, it is being played in 62 countries, and the Championships are regularly held at the International level, like the Tri-Nation, South Asian SQAY Championship, and World Championship. In fact, Mir Nazir personally organizes the Annual International Coaching Camp in Kashmir Valley, in which instructors from Asian and European Countries receive training in SQAY Martial Arts from the Grand Master Mir Nazir himself.

Recently, the Art has been included in the National Games and All India Police Games, and hopefully, in the near future, the SQAY Martial Art will be included in the Common Wealth and Olympic Games, for which we are working very hard to achieve this milestone.

The Art is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and at present the Sqay is getting financial Assistance from the UT and Central governments."In the pursuit of reviving a martial art, remember that greatness is not achieved overnight. It is forged through countless hours of practice, dedication, and an unyielding spirit. Trust in your purpose, believe in your abilities, and let your passion guide you. Your efforts will bring forth a renaissance, breathing new life into a treasured legacy."

Today The Sqay has received spectacular recognition and felicitations on both national and international platforms. But, bringing this almost extinct martial art to this stage was not at all easy. Engaging learners and audiences with this sport takes lots of courage and magnanimity. And this courage was shown alone by one person, Mr. Nazir. But the efforts he put into the upbringing of this sport can be better understood under the limelight of Kashmiri circumstances. Because, "In the face of adversity, Sqay teaches us to stand tall, embrace challenges, and conquer our fears."

Undoubtedly, Kashmir is among the most beautiful and breathtaking places on earth; but the circumstances of this land stain the very beauty of this valley. On this disputed land, where the residents of Kashmir try to live and survive peacefully, foreign and bad elements try to hinder the peace and harmony of this valley, and almost every second day the news of someone’s demise comes. The disturbed nature of this valley has always been an obstacle for the residents of Kashmir to go out and let their children go and learn something new. In this scenario, making people understand the value of Sqay and encouraging both parents and their children to learn Sqay was not that easy. And even in these circumstances, Mir Nazir did not stop and followed his heart, because, for him, the Sqay is not merely a martial art but also a way of life for all Kashmiris.

The Social disturbances and natural calamities in this valley make it compulsory/obligatory for Kashmiris to learn this form of a martial art because learning this will protect humans from the attack of wild animals as well as from the bad elements of the society as this is the best self-defense technique. Plus, protecting the very legacy of our forefathers is equally important, this is the same legacy that is vulnerable and has to be protected. But the most difficult terrains can not cross their ways, in fact, these disturbances pave a new way.

This poem well describes the actions of Mir Nazir and his students

In rugged lands where mountains rise, A trainer's spirit fiercely flies. With Sqay's art, they pave the way, Guiding warriors day by day.

Their footsteps echo through rocky trails, As strength and discipline never fail. Through winding paths and valleys deep, They inspire hearts, and their promises keep.

In treacherous terrains, they remain, Teaching Sqay amidst nature's domain. Their voice a beacon amidst the storm, Urging students to rise and transform.

With every strike, with every block, They unlock courage, like a mountain's rock. Their teachings echo in each warrior's heart, As they navigate this challenging martial art.

Through snow-capped peaks and rivers wide, They instill passion, side by side. Their words of wisdom echo loud and clear, Guiding warriors with unwavering cheer.

In sun and rain, through wind and hail, Their dedication never fails. For in their hands, Sqay comes alive, A testament to the strength they derive.

So let us raise our swords up high, To honor this trainer, reaching the sky. In difficult terrains, they stand tall, Teaching Sqay, inspiring one and all.

But with all his struggles and persistent courage Sqay is now played in 62 countries of the world which include India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka.

Words of Mir Nazir on his hardships,

“I faced a lot of hardships. As someone has rightly said If you want to change the world start with yourself. And I started giving training in martial arts from my home itself; I taught my sister and close relatives.

Initially, i started training athletes on my own and prepared so many Athletes in SQAY Martial Arts who became my ambassadors, you could say, to introduce the Sport in Kashmir.

After so many years of hard work, Local Sponsors and the government started providing financial Assistance in organizing training camps.

As I told you that I started it from my home, obviously people around me noticed, and they started asking me to train their children, and this way SQAY started gaining popularity in society.”