What is the National Game of India?

The national game of any country plays an important role in defining its culture. It is more than just a pastime or a leisure activity for the people of the country, it is an integral part of their national identity. This is even more prevalent in countries like India, where the majority of the population is involved in some form of sports. Football, for example, is the most popular sport in many countries, but it is only one of the many popular games that are played in India. So, what is the national game of India? And how is it connected to the culture of the country? Read on to know more.

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The title ‘national game’ is somewhat of a misnomer, because there is no one official version of the game that is played throughout the country. In fact, there are many different games that are played in different regions of the country. But since they all share common features, it is easier to discuss them as a single game.

Most countries have a ‘national game’, and India is no exception. The term ‘national game’ derives from the fact that it is the main sport or hobby of the country. In the case of India, the national game is hockey.

However, what exactly is the ‘national game’ of a country? Is there more than one version of the national game? The answer to all these questions is yes. Although there is no one version of the national game of a country, there are certain characteristics that are common to almost all national games.

How is the National Game of India connected to the culture of India?

The national game of any country is often directly connected to the culture of that country. This is because the sport is an important part of the country’s identity. It is considered part of the ‘folk culture’ of the country – i.e., the culture of the masses.

In some countries, such as India, many people don’t even know there is such a thing as a ‘national game’. These people are often unaware of the connection between their country and the sport.

The first game of India

The first version of the game that is played in India is ‘Senjata’. This is mentioned in the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is also traced back to the times of the Buddha. There are drawings and illustrations of people playing games with sticks and cudgels in Indian archaeological sites that are thousands of years old.

The history of the national game of India

The history of the game of hockey in India dates back more than a century. The game was introduced to the country by the British in the 1880s. In the first half of the 20th century, the Indian Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised field hockey as an official Olympic sport only. It was reintroduced as a national game in 1962, and since then India has been one of the biggest powers in the field.

The geographical origin of the national game of India

As is evident from the name ‘canal’, the game of hockey originated in the Indian subcontinent. It was originally played in England and Scotland as ‘hurling’, and from there it spread to other parts of Europe.

Popular variations of the national game of India

The traditional ice hockey is the most popular variation of the game in India. However, field hockey is also gaining popularity. In fact, there are enough number of field hockey players in India to form their own national team.

Goalball is the variation of the game that is played with a ball that is 3.7kg or 7 pounds, instead of a standard ball. Teams in this game are made up of seven players instead of five.

Conclusion

There are many different versions of the national game of a country. Hockey is only one of them. But since they all share common features, it is easier to discuss them as a single game.