SPORTS IN INDIA

Traditional Games Martial Arts Popular Sports Federations Developments Awards
Traditional Games
Games of Ancient India
Asol Aap
Boat Race
Dhopkhel
Gella-Chutt
Hiyang Tannaba
Inbuan
Insuknawr
Kabaddi
Kang Shanaba
Kho Kho
Khong Kangjei
Kirip
Lamjei
Mallakhamb
Mizo Inchai
Mukna
Nagaland & Arunachal Games
Sagol Kangjei
Yubee-Lakpee Archery
 
Martial Arts
Cheibi Gad-Ga
Kalari Payattu
Silambam
Thang-ta
Thoda
 
Popular Sports
Cricket
Golf
Hockey
Kabaddi
Kho Kho
Lawn Tennis
 
Sports Federations
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Billiards
Body Building
Boxing
Bridge
Carrom
Chess
Cricket
Cycling
Equestrian
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Hockey
Judo
Kabbadi
Kho Kho
Olympics
Power Lifting
Rifle
Rowing
Squash
Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Yachting
Kayaking
 
Development
Main Schemes
Academics in the Field of Sports
Initiatives
Sports Infrastructure
Awards for Excellence
Incentives for Promotion of Sports Activities
Physical Education
 
Awards
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
Arjuna Award
Dronacharya Award
 
 

Sports

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 well-defined 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." The founders of the Olympic idea had India very much in mind when they were deciding on the various disciplines. There is a fascinating link between Greece and India which stretches back to 975 B.C. The zest for chariot-racing and wrestling was common to both the countries.

SportsIn India, dehvada or the body-way is defined as "one of the ways to full realisation." In the day and age of the Rig-Veda, Ramayana and Mahabharata men of stature and circumstance were expected to be competent in chariot-racing, archery, horsemanship, military tactics, wrestling, weight-lifting, swimming and hunting

The guru-shishya (teacher-pupil) relationship has always been an integral part of Indian sport from time immemorial. Indian sport reached a peak of excellence when Buddhism held sway here. In Villas Mani Majra, Tiruvedacharya describes many fascinating games, namely, archery, equitation, hammer-throwing and chariot-racing. In Manas Olhas (1135 A.D.), Someshwar writes about bhrashram (weight-lifting), bhramanshram (walking) and also about Mall-Stambha (wrestling).

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 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.

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