2. HISTORY OF GAMES AND SPORTS IN INDIA
1. Introduction
The history of sports in India dates back to the Vedic era. Physical culture in
ancient India was fed by a powerful fuel--religious rites. There were some welldefined values like the mantra in the Atharva-Veda, saying," Duty is in my right hand
and the fruits of victory in my left". In terms of an ideal, these words hold the same
sentiments as the traditional Olympic oath: "...... For the Honour of my Country and
the Glory of Sport."
Badminton probably originated in India as a grownup's version of a very old
children's game known in England as battledore and shuttlecock, the battledore being
a paddle and the shuttlecock a small feathered cork, now usually balled a "bird."
In the area of recreation and sports India had evolved a number of games. One
would be surprised to know today that games like, Chess, Snakes and Ladders,
Playing Cards, Polo, the martial arts of Judo and Karate had originated as a sport in
India and it was from here that these games were transmitted to foreign countries,
where they were further modernized.
It is more than likely that many of today's Olympic disciplines are
sophisticated versions of the games of strength and speed that flourished in ancient
23
India and Greece. Chess, wrestling, polo, archery and hockey (possibly a fall-out from
polo) are some of the games believed to have originated in India.
Hockey, in which India has an impressive record with eight Olympic gold
medals, is officially the national sport. Other popular games are football, cricket,
basketball, volleyball and badminton. Cricket has become a very popular game in
India. After the IX Asian Games in New Delhi in 1982, the capital city now has
modem sports facilities. Such facilities are also being developed in other parts of the
country. Besides sports and games included in the international sporting agenda, there
are many which have developed indigenously. Among these are wrestling and several
traditional systems of martial arts.
In early India, games and sports were very much concerned about the
development of the physique and for the art of offence and defense. Also games were
considered a kind of recreation, which played a vital role in the development of a
man's personality. Important of them included indoor games, music, fishing and
boating, singing and dancing, water sports, etc.
India has a rich heritage of these activities as can be found in the
archaeological excavations of Mohenjadaro and Harappa, the Vedic literature, The
Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the literary works of Kautilya, Kalidasa,
Panini and Dandin as well as a whole lot of Buddhist and Jain literatures. Various
archaeological evidences like coins, inscriptions and monumental carvings support
them.
Several games now familiar across the world owe their origins in India,
particularly, the games of chess, ludo (including ladders and snake), and playing
24
cards. The famous epic Mahabharata narrates an incidence where a game called
Chaturanga was played between two groups of warring cousins.
The age when epic Mahabharata was written is variously dated around 800 BC
to 1000 BC. In some form or the other, the game continued till it evolved into chess.
H. J. R. Murry, in his work titled A History of Chess, has concluded that chess is a
descendant of an Indian game played in the 7th century AD. The Encyclopedia
Britannica states that we find the best authorities agreeing that chess existed in India
before it is known to have been played anywhere else.
The game of cards also developed in ancient India. Abul Fazal was a scholar
in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar. In his book, Ain-e-Akbari, which is a mirror of
life of that time, records game of cards is of Indian origins.Martial arts by the name of
Kalaripayattu were a native of Kerala. Kalaripayattu consists of a series of intricate
movements that train the body and mind.
2. Indus valley civilization (3250 BC to 2750 BC)
A statuette found in the Mohenjadaro remains is that of a dancer, which points
out that the important pastime of the people then was dancing and singing. The other
important game was swimming which has strong evidence as to the presence of the
"Great Bath" which is analogous to the present day modem swimming pool.
Marbles, balls and dice were used for games and dicing was the important
game as is evident from lots of dices unearthed. Besides, a type of board game
resembling the modem chess was also prevalent. A cylindrical gamesman resembling
the present-day game of Draught has also been excavated at Harappa.
25
Hunting was the next important game. Seals showing men using bows and
arrows for killing wild boars and deers have been found. Punching or boxing was also
played. A number of toys of children made of clay have been found which shows that
children engaged themselves with lots of games.
3. Vedic period (2500 BC-600 BC)
The Vedic women received a fair share of masculine attention in physical
culture and military training. The Rigveda tells us that many women joined the army
in those days.
A form of chariot race was one of the games most popular during the Vedic
period. People were fond of swinging. Ball games were in vogue in those days by
both men and women. Apart from this, a number of courtyard games like" Hide and
seek" and "Run and catch" were also played by the girls. Playing with dice became a
popular activity. The dices were apparently made of Vibhidaka nuts. From the
Rigveda, it appears that the Vedic Aryans knew the art of boxing.
4. Early Hindu period (600BC-320BC)
4.1 The Ramayana
People took much interest in games during this period. Ayodhya, Kiskindha
and Lanka the three great places related with this period were centers of many games
and sports. Chariot -riding and horse- riding were popular. Hunting was taken as a
royal sport. Swimming was also popular and it is learnt that Ravana had a beautiful
swimming pool in Asoka Vatika where he used to sport. Gambling with dices was
26
also well known. "Chaturang" or chess as we call it today developed during this
period and India is proud to be called the homeland of this great sport. Ball games
were popular with the women.
4.2 The Mahabharata
Special mention has been made of games and gymnastics during this period.
Jumping, arms contracting, wrestling, playing with balls, hide and seek, chasing
animals were some of the games prevalent during this period. Ball games were
popular and it is said that Lord Krishna played ball-games with maidens on the banks
of the Yamuna." Iti-Danda " or "Gullidanda" was also one of the games played
and it involves one long and one short stick. Bhima was well versed in this and this is
similar to the present day cricket. There is also a mention of the Kauravas and the
Pandavas playing Gulli Danda in the Mahabharata.
Yudhistar had a great liking for dicing and it is known that he lost his whole
kingdom, his brothers and his wife in this game to his opponents. People also enjoyed
water sports. Bhima was a great swimmer. Duryodhana was an expert in swimming.
All the Pandava and Kaurava princes, on the invitation of Duryodhana, went to the
ganges for some water games.
During the era of the Rigveda, Ramayana and Mahabharata, men of a certain
stature were expected to be well - versed in chariot - racing, archery, military
stratagems, swimming, wrestling and hunting. Excavations at Harappa and
Mohenjodaro confirm that during the Indus valley civilization ( 2500 - 1550 B.C ) the
weapons involved in war and hunting exercises included the bow and arrow, the
dagger, the axe and the mace.
27
These weapons of war, for instance, the javelin (toran) and the discus
{chakra), were also, frequently used in the sports arena. Lord Krishna wielded an
impressive discus or sudarshan chakra. Aijuna and Bhima, two of the mighty
Pandavas, excelled in archery and weightlifting respectively. Bhimsena, Hanuman,
Jamvanta, Jarasandha were some of the great champion wrestlers of yore.
Women also excelled in sport and the art of self - defence, and were active
participants in games like cock fighting, quail fighting, and ram fighting.
4.3 The Puranas
The use of Discus was very popular. At times, the attack of sword was also
rendered useless by the discus. The Munda monster is said to have used it.
Rope fighting or Pasi-yuddha was also prevalent. The rope was the main weapon of
some of the Gods and because of the use of rope, Varuna is called Pasi. The art of
using silambu or long sticks, lathi and slings was also taught during this period.
4.4 Buddhist and Jain Literatures
The game of chess is found mentioned in the canonical texts of Jainism. Chess
was found prevalent in the campus of Nalanda. Archaeological excavations have
found gambling dice in monasteries and other Buddhist sites. Another item of
amusement was swimming. The Viharas offered the pleasure of bathing pools.
Boxing was also popular.
With the flowering of Buddhism in the country, Indian sport reached the very
peak of excellence. Gautam Buddha himself, is said to have been an ace at archery,
chariot - racing, equitation and hammer - throwing.
28
4.5 Jataka stories
Archery is found mentioned in the Jataka stories. The Bhimsena Jataka tells
that Boddhisatva learnt archery at Takshila. Wrestling was popular and descriptions of
such breath-holding bouts in wrestling are available in the Jataka stories. Two kinds
of games called Udyana Krida or garden games and Salila Krida or water sports are
also mentioned.
In Villas Manx Manjri, Tiruvedacharya describes many of these games in detail.
5. Later Hindu Period (320AD-1200 AD)
Great Universities like Takshila and Nalanda developed during this period.
Takshila was famous for military training, wrestling, archery and mountain- climbing.
In Nalanda, swimming, breathing exercises and yoga formed an integral part of the
curriculum. Harshavardhana, of the Gupta dynasty was a great sportsman and he
encouraged his subjects as well. Another great contemporary of Harsha, Narasimha
Mamallah, the Pallava ruler was also a great wrestler.
Archery was also popular among the women during this period, as can be seen
from the Ahicchatra images. Hunting, elephant fighting, ram fighting, and partridge
fighting were the other important games of this period.
In Manasollasa - 1135 AD. - Someshwara writes at length about bharashram
(weight lifting), bharamanshram (walking), both of which are established as Olympic
disciplines at present, and mall -stambha, a peculiar form of wrestling, wherein both
contestants sit on the shoulders of their 'seconds', who stand in waist - deep water
throughout the game.
29
The renowned Chinese travelers Hieun Tsang and Fa Hien wrote of a plethora
of sporting activities. Swimming, sword - fighting ( fencing, as we know it today ),
running, wrestling and ball games were immensely popular among the students of
Nalanda and Taxila.
6. Mughal period (after 1200AD)
In the 16th century, a Portuguese ambassador who visited Krishnanagar was
impressed by the range of sports activity, and the many sports venues, in the city. The
King, Krishnadevraya was an ace wrestler and horseman, himself.
The Mughal emperors were keen hunters of wild animals and avid patrons of
sports, especially wrestling.
The Agra fort and the Red Fort were the popular venues of many a wrestling
bout, in the times of Emperor Shahjahan.
30