Blue Valley Libraries: Recreation in Ancient India: Home

Sports and games have always played a significant role in human culture, serving as a source of recreation, community bonding, and even spiritual expression. In ancient India, sports held an essential place in society, integrated into education and daily life. Contrary to popular belief, games like polo, tennis, football, and cricket are not modern inventions; ancient India had a rich tradition of sports that not only entertained but also helped to maintain physical fitness and social cohesion.

To better understand the types of sports in ancient India, we can categorize them into four groups:

Games Played for Fun: These games were primarily for entertainment and included board games, dice games, and other activities enjoyed by families and friends. They were meant to engage players in a light-hearted manner, often fostering camaraderie and social interaction.
Sports for Spectator Enjoyment: This category encompasses games and activities designed to entertain audiences. Events such as chariot races, wrestling, and archery contests were popular, drawing large crowds and showcasing athletic skills.
Sports with Religious Significance: Many sports and games were associated with religious festivals and rituals. These sports were integral to religious ceremonies, where participants played in honor of deities or during auspicious occasions.
Mixed Sports with Unclear Classifications: This category includes sports that don’t neatly fit into the other three groups. These games might have elements of fun, competition, or ritual significance, often blending different aspects of traditional Indian culture.

Ancient Indians participated in a variety of recreational activities, including:

Games: Traditional games like kho-kho, kabaddi, ekka-dokka, gollachut, pachisi, and pallanguzhi were played. Some games were played with little to no equipment. For example, in pithoo, two teams use flat stones and a ball to hit a stack of stones.
Martial arts: Archery, wrestling, boxing, swordsmanship, and atyapatya were practiced.
Hunting: Hunting was a common recreational activity for both royals and others.
Acrobatics: Some communities were known for their acrobatic performances, such as dancing on bamboo.
Indoor games: Chess and snakes and ladders originated in ancient India as the games of Chaturanga and Gyan Chauper, respectively.
Animal activities: People provoked intoxicated elephants to build strength by maneuvering around them. They also kept birds as pets, especially parrots.
Exercise: Ayurvedic medical treatises emphasized exercise as a way to avoid conditions like diabetes.

Through this lens, ancient Indian sports emerge as a complex and multifaceted tradition, reflecting the values, beliefs, and social dynamics of the time. From the playful games of childhood to the grand spectacles of festivals, these sports showcased the creativity and diversity of ancient Indian society. Understanding these games provides us with a unique perspective on the history and culture of India, reminding us that the spirit of competition and the joy of play are timeless.

Mishra, Sampadananda. “KREEDA — Uncovering the Games of Ancient India | by Sampadananda Mishra | Medium.” Sampadananda Mishra, 23 April 2024, https://sampadanandamishra.medium.com/kreeda-uncovering-the-games-of-ancient-india-d8f091451b88. Accessed 5 November 2024.

Chess was devised in India, and was known as Ashtapada (which means 64 squares). Unlike how the game is played today, it used to be played with a dice on a checkered board, but without black and white squares. A few years later, the game was called Chaturanga (quadripartite). It was divided into four parts called angas, which were symbolic of the four branches of an army. Just like the real ancient Indian army, it had pieces called elephants, chariots, horses and soldiers, and was played to devise war strategies. In 600 CE, Persians learned this game and named it Shatranj. ‘Checkmate’ comes from the Persian term in thegame, ‘Shah-Mat’, meaning ‘the king is dead’.

Ludo is a board game that we’ve all played at least once. Earlier in India it was called Pachisi, and the board was made out of cloth or jute. A depiction of Pachisi is found in the caves of Ajanta in Maharashtra, showing that the game was quite popular in the Medieval Era. The Mughal Emperors of India, such as Akbar, also liked playing Pachisi. In the late 19th century, different variations of the same game were played in England; in 1896, a similar game appeared that was called Ludo, and thus the name was patented.

Reflection

Yoga began thousands of years ago in ancient India as a way to bring together the mind, body, and spirit. It originally developed as part of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where people practiced yoga to achieve inner peace, focus, and self-awareness. Over time, yoga was shared through stories, poems, and teachings, becoming an important part of Indian culture.

The practice of yoga includes physical postures (called "asanas"), breathing exercises, and meditation. These elements were designed to keep the body healthy and help people focus their minds. The ancient text *Yoga Sutras*, written by a sage named Patanjali around 2,000 years ago, organized yoga into steps and introduced the idea of using yoga for mental and emotional balance.

In the 20th century, yoga started spreading around the world. Teachers from India introduced it to Western countries, where people embraced it for its health benefits. Today, yoga is practiced by millions globally. It's popular for improving flexibility, strength, and relaxation, and many people use it to help manage stress.