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There were very big stadiums in early India
| Author | Subject: There were very big stadiums in early India |
| bhattathiri |
Posted At 19:55:56 08/14/2004
There were very big stadiums in early India and games and sports were very much concerned for the development of the physique and for the art of offence and defence.All kings encouraged this and personally enjoyed by their presence. Also games were considered a kind of recreation, which played a vital role in the development of a man's personality. Important of them included indoor games, music, fishing and boating, singing and dancing, water sports, etc.
Fortunately India has a rich heritage of these activities as can be found in the archaeological excavations of Mohenjadaro and Harappa, the Vedic literature, The Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the literary works of Kautilya, Kalidasa, Panini and Dandin as well as a whole lot of Buddhist and Jain literatures. Various archaeological evidences like coins, inscriptions and monumental carvings support them.
Swimming which has strong evidence as to the presence of the "Great Bath" which is analogous to the present day modern swimming pool.
People took much interest in games during this period. Ayodhya, Kiskindha and Lanka the three great places related with this period were centers of many games and sports. Chariot -riding and horse- riding were popular. Hunting was taken as a royal sport. Swimming was also popular and it is learnt that Ravana had a beautiful swimming pool in Asoka Vatika where he used to sport. Gambling with dices was also well known. "Chaturang" or chess as we call it today developed during this period and India is proud to be called the homeland of this great sport. Ball games were popular with the women.
Archery is found mentioned in the Jataka stories. The Bhimsena Jataka tells that Boddhisatva learnt archery at Takshila. Wrestling was popular and descriptions of such breath-holding bouts in wrestling are available in the Jataka stories. Two kinds of games called Udyana Krida or garden games and Salila Krida or water sports are also mentioned.
M.P. Bhattathiri,
Radhanivas, Thaliyal, Karmana, Trivandrum, 695 002, Kerela, India,
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