![]() Traditional Sports in Ancient India The people from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Harappa and Indus Valley Civilisation used to play a variety of games using marbles, balls and dice and the sports like hunting, swimming, boating and boxing were some of the most common sports during that period. All those sports were played and nurtured quite extensively in India in ancient times. Traditional Sports in Veda The main anthem in the history of traditional sports in India was a mantra depicted in the Atharva Veda. The mantra says that, "Duty is in my right hand and the fruits of victory in my left". There is a common notion that many of modern Olympic disciplines are actually the sophisticated versions of the traditional games of strength and speed that flourished in ancient India. Some of the popular sports of today, like Chess, Wrestling, Polo, Archery, Hockey, Ludo, Playing Cards, Indian Martial Arts, Judo in India and Karate etc. are also believed to have originated in India and hence, can be called as Indian traditional sports. Apart from these sports, Yoga is another form of sports that has a huge presence in the history of traditional sports in India. Yoga was an integral part of ancient Indian culture and it was practised by almost every school of thought to achieve spiritual and mental peace. Traditional Sports in Indian Epics The history of traditional sports in India mentions that traditional sports were even common during the epic era. These epics state about a number of Indian traditional sports like dicing, gymnastics, and Gilli Danda. In the Manas Olhas (1135 AD.), Someshwar described the sports like Bharashram (weight - lifting) and Bharamanshram (walking), both of which are established Olympic disciplines at present. He also mentioned about Mall-Stambha, which was a peculiar form of wrestling. Traditional Sports in Indian Puranas The Indian Puranas also mention about the game of rope fighting. Most of these Indian traditional sports were also an integral part of military practise in the ancient Indian empires. Traditional Sports in Medieval Era The medieval history of traditional sports in India witnessed the introduction of a number of new sports. The sports like Thoda, Kalari Payattu, Chaupar,Pallanguli, Gilli Danda, Asol Aap, Vallamkali or Boat Race in Kerala, Gella - Chutt,Hiyang Tannaba, Inbuan, Insuknawr, Kang Shanaba, Kabaddi, Kho Kho, Lamjei,Mallakhamb, Mizo Inchai, Mukna, Yubee - Lakpee, Sagol Kangjei etc came into existence during this period. Traditional Sports in Modern ERa ![]() Related Articles Thoda Khong Kangjei Vallamkali Wrestling In India Ke Nang Haun Ramayana Mahabharata Indian Puranas Kite flying in India Gaming Top Atya Patya Surr Thirudan Police Raja-Rani Oru Kodam Thanni Oodi Puduchi Vilayaduradh... Jallikattu Aivarnaatakam Rural Sports in India Urban Sports in India Group Sports in India Thoda Kalari Payattu Chaupar Pallanguli Gilli Danda Asol Aap Vallamkali, Boat Race Gella - Chutt Hiyang Tannaba Inbuan Insuknawr Kang Shanaba Lamjei Mallakhamb |