Pehlwani is a form of wrestling from the Indian subcontinent. It was developed in the Mughal Empire by combining native malla-yuddha with influences from Persian "varzesh-e bastani". The words "pehlwani" and "kushti" derive from the Persian terms "pahlavani" and "kosht" respectively. It is likely that the word derives from the Iranian word "Pehalavi" denoting to people of Iranian descent.