India is an ancient civilization with a unique history. Each part of the country has its own culture and traditions. It's the same with sports. Did you know that India has several amazing traditional sports and games? Many of these ancient traditional games and games are popular even today.
Several of these games are rooted in ancient India and are known in the world today.
It's interesting, isn't it? Continue reading: We have compiled a list of 25 traditional Indian games and games, some of which will soon be forgotten.
1. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a one-man show out of seven. It is known as the struggle game. In modern India, Kabaddi is one of the most famous sports. People in small towns and even in the villages love to play it.
This sport requires skill and physical strength. Kabaddi originated in India in prehistoric times. Today, people throughout India have found love in this sport. Not just playing it but watching and having fun with it. Currently, India has its own national kabaddi branch called the 'Vivo Pro Kabaddi'.
2. Kushti
The Indian subcontinent is also known as Kushti or Pehlwani. This game is also very popular. It is one of the oldest games in India and dates back to about 4000 BC.
The Mahabharata warrior has one first mention of Cush.
Kushti is different from the free-style fights that are taking place in many parts of the world. Earlier, kushti's game would have ended only when one of the contestants signed a defeat.
However, today's games have different rounds and have an intervening referee.
The sport is also one of the events in the Olympics.
3. Archery
Archery is the ability to use a bow and arrow. Archery in India from as far back as the Vedic period.
Originally, man used an arrow to hunt animals. As the years went by it became a game.
The first references to the bow in India are in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. In both episodes, most of the characters were described as archers.
Bow shooting has been a basic requirement for survival and hunting for food. Later, a bow and arrow were used as weapons of war.
Now archery is a fun sports event. In addition, it is now one of the Olympic events.
4. Hunting
Initially, hunting was a human survival. It was not only food or clothing but also protection from dangerous animals. However, we now see that hunting intentions have changed.
When hunting became a sport only the rich could do it. This hunting was done traditionally with a bow and arrow. In recent years, however, people have used guns.
Nowadays, as many species have become extinct, poaching of certain animals are not allowed.
However, the game of hunting animals can be done for many reasons. It helps control the spread of certain types of obesity, helps stop the spread of disease, and so on.
5. Kho Kho
Most of us know the game, as it was one of the most popular games of all time. Kho Kho is a fun game that people of all ages enjoy playing.
The tricks and tactics of this game may have come from the story of the Mahabharata. The game originated in Maharashtra and is famous throughout India.
Even today, we see young children and adolescents playing the game in playgrounds and parks.
6. Mallakhamb
Mallakhamb is an ancient Indian sport that combines yoga, gymnasium, and martial arts. It is known as the mother game of ancient India.
The word ‘Malla’ means exercise and ‘khamb’ means pole. So in general 'Mallakhamb' means 'exercise body pole'. The game dates back to the 12th century.
Earlier wrestlers or pehlwans used Mallakhamb to practice their kushti skills. Today, however, it is gaining the recognition it deserves. Now it’s a completely different game.
7. Gilli Danda
Yes, this too is one of the traditional Indian games. Many people have forgotten the game since very few people continue to play it.
Children in rural and small towns continue to play Gilli danda. Children from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan in particular play this game.
Gilli Danda is a popular game in rural areas and small towns for children. The game is very popular in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
Gilli Danda is a very ancient Indian game. From over 2,500 years ago. People believe that the Gilli danda promoted western sports such as cricket, baseball, and softball.
8. Kite flying
Kite Flying is a game in India that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The game takes place at the Makar Sankranti festival on January 14 and January 15 every year.
Unlike all other festivals, the sun marks the occasion. Therefore, it falls on the same day every year.
At first, only royal families flew in. In time, however, the festival became popular throughout India. Today, Makar Sankranti is also known as kite-flying day. The main purpose of this game is to keep your kite in the air for as long as possible until you are the only one left.
On January 14 and 15, Gujarat hosted the International Kite Festival. Millions of people attend and participate in this celebration each year.
9. Jallikattu
Jallikattu is a game of domestic bulls. Part of the Pongal celebration in Tamil Nadu includes this game. ‘Jalli’ means gold or silver coins and ‘kattu’ means imprisonment.
Together it means coins tied to the horns of bulls. The successful bullshit winner wins the prize.
This is an ancient game dating back more than 2,500 years. It is an ancient tradition that is very much a reflection of Tamilian culture. Every year the festival takes place on the third day of the festival.
Jallikattu is part of Tamilian pride and culture. It is similar to a Spanish festival in which people run away from angry bulls. In this case, they are designed to soften bulls. This game keeps all animals safe.
10. Vallamkali
Vallamkali is better known as a boat race. It is one of the most famous traditional games in Kerala.
This game reflects the team's extreme spirit. All sailors need to connect and paddle the boat to make sure that it stays afloat.
The game is held during the Onam festival and takes place at the Kerala lake.
These boats were introduced in the early 14th century. They are about 100 to 120 meters long. It can carry people and military equipment because it can carry heavy metals.
11. Ball Badminton
Ball badminton is an ancient sport in India. It is a ruck game involving a yellow ball made of wool.
In 1856, the royal family in Tanjore became the first to play the game. However, it is now very popular throughout India.
Ball badminton is a fast-paced game that requires skill, good judgment, and a few other qualities.
12. Dhopkhel
Dhopkhel is also called 'dhop khel' or 'dhoop khel'. A football match played by two teams of eleven players.
This is a traditional game of the province of Assam. It is said to be closely linked to state development.
This game requires toughness, speed, and strategy. This game is for certain seasons. People come from all over to play the game at the spring festival also known as Rangoli Bihu of this province.
13. Kambala
Kambala is best known as the buffalo race. The race took place on the Karnataka coast.
The game takes place between midnight buffalos. Each couple has one passenger. In this game, buffalos have to run through paddy fields full of mud and mud.
Initially, the reward for the game was coconut. Nowadays, however, the reward is gold or silver coins or sometimes even a monetary reward.
The event takes place every year from November to March. Many people came together to watch and enjoy the race.
People believe that the Kambala festival originated about 800 years ago. They believe that by celebrating the festival, they can please the gods with a good harvest.
14. Silambam
Silambam is an Indian martial art that uses a stick as a weapon. The game is from the Tamil Nadu region.
It is one of the oldest martial arts in the world as it is more than 5,000 years old. Islam is a martial art used by most of the rulers of South India.
Silambam has little to do with the art of the war of Kerala Kalaripayattu.
There is a theory that Shaolin's famous style of martial arts is based on Indian warfare.
15. Camel Race
The camel race is held every January at the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The Bikaner Camel Festival is a two-day and night festival that brings people to visit from all over the world.
Camel Race is the most popular race in the festival. People gathered in large numbers to watch and support the race.
The race is part of Rajasthani culture. The origin of this race is unknown. But it is said that the race was held every year for years.
16. Mukna
Mukna is a mixed wrestling and judo sport. It originated in the province of Manipur in the 15th century. It has been very popular ever since. It is said that the game dates back to the Hayachak era.
The game is played every day on the last day of the Laarei Haraoba festival. It explains what a powerful competition it is.
Mukna's techniques and styles are similar to those of Kushti. However, the two games are different from each other.
17. Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest arts in India. It originates in Kerala and can be traced back to 15,000 BCE.
These martial arts use swords, knives, spears, and the like as weapons. It examines the connection between the mind and the body.
Kalaripayattu training includes learning about Ayurveda and gaining important body points.
The training of these martial arts is very meditative as opposed to being violent.
18. Chess
Chess is a very popular game that people around the world love to play.
You probably don’t know this but the origins of chess come from Northern India. It then spread throughout Asia and is now a world-famous sport.
The origins of chess trace go back some 1,500 years.
According to one legend, a wise man wanted to convince the Indian King that everyone in his kingdom was important. Therefore, he instituted a game that represented the state. The king, his wife as queen, other members of the empire such as bishops, rooks, knights, and pawns
The king loved the game as he saw that the game was like real life. He then convinced everyone in his kingdom to play it.
19. Carom
Carom is another popular board game that requires skill and precision. This game is very popular and fun to play. It is said that the origins of carom go back to the Indian subcontinent.
What we do know for sure is that people have been playing this game for the past two hundred years. There is no direct evidence that carom existed before this.
Carom is similar to many other board games such as billiards and paddleboard. However, it is different because carom requires the use of fingers to play.
Some people believe that carom was invented by the Maharajas to appease the British colonies. This could be the reason why this game is so similar to most British games.
However, there is no evidence to the contrary.
20. Pachisi/Chaupar
Pachisi is called the Indian national game. Pachisi is a board game that translates to 'twenty-five'.
Peach is different from Ludo. It was simplified and renamed Ludo. One should avoid confusing these two things.
The meaning of the play is based on ancient India, in the 16th century. When the Mughal emperor Akbar played the life-size game of Pachishi.
In addition, the Mahabharata also mentioned the meaning of the game, in which it is said that Sakuni, a man at the time who was a champion in the game.
21. Gutte
Gutte is best known as the five gemstones. Both children and adults can play this game.
This game is very easy to play. Obviously, you will need five stones in this game. The object of the game is to take all five stones while circling one in the air.
The game was very popular with women and young girls.
The game is said to have originated in ancient India from 1184 BC.
22. Lagori/Satoliya
Lagori / Satoliya is also known as seven tiles. This game requires two teams.
You need seven stones, one smaller than the other. These stones are then placed on top of each other according to their size, from the largest to the smallest.
This sport requires extensive running and physical strength. We often see children playing the game on the playgrounds and on the streets.
The game is said to have originated in the southern part of India.
23. Kancha
Kancha is a traditional Indian game played by children throughout India. Earlier we saw boys everywhere standing in circles playing the game.
This game is very simple. Everyone who plays this game carries their marbles. They must aim and hit the selected marble. A winner who can beat all the marbles gets the marbles of other players too.
Kancha is played in rural and small towns. The origins of this game go back to ancient India.
24. Lattu
Lattu is a game of wrapping a rope at the top and pulling a rope to make it a spin. Many rural areas in India continue to play the game. Although, today it loses its value and is forgotten.
Lattu dates back thousands of years. The first article is made of clay-like many other household items.
Woodentops came into existence around 2,000 BC. Not only were the above children used to play with them but they were also used to prophesy, gamble, and sometimes as gifts of godliness.
25. Nondi
Nondi is the oldest game in India. It was a very popular game that all the kids loved to play on the school grounds.
Nondi is a traditional South African sport. It is a hopping game played in many rural and small towns. It was reportedly a game played only by young girls.
However, the game is now over as there are not many children playing it.
The game has been around for the past several years. I hope it continues to do so.
Did any of these games revive your childhood? The mine really did it.
Most people do not know how amazing India is. There are many world-famous games from India itself. We should be proud of this fact.
Despite the introduction of the internet and new technologies, today's generation is living indoors rather than playing the kind of games we have created.
It is worse to see these traditions gradually disappear. However, we can be sure that they will not disappear altogether.
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