Badminton, one of the most popular racket sports in the world today, has a long and interesting history. It has been played for centuries, in different forms and under different names. In India, the game of badminton was known as ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’. This article will explore the history of badminton in India and discuss how its name changed over time.
Origin of Badminton in India
The origins of badminton in India can be traced back to the 16th century. The game was first played in the Mughal court of Akbar, where the emperor and his courtiers used to play a game called ‘Poona’. This game was similar to modern-day badminton, and was played with a shuttlecock and battledore. The battledore was a wooden paddle-like instrument with a handle, and the shuttlecock was a small, feathered projectile.
The game of Poona was popular in the Mughal court and soon spread to other parts of India. The game became particularly popular in Bengal, where it was known as ‘Goli’. Over time, the game evolved and became increasingly popular across India.
The Name ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’
The game of badminton was known as ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’ in India for many years. The name was derived from the equipment used to play the game – the shuttlecock and the battledore. The shuttlecock was a feathered projectile, and the battledore was the wooden paddle-like instrument with a handle. The game of badminton was known as ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’ in India until the late 19th century.
The Introduction of the Modern Game of Badminton
The modern game of badminton was introduced in India in the late 19th century, when the British army officers who served in India began to play the game. The British officers adapted the game of Poona and developed the modern game of badminton. The game was popular among the British officers, and they began to call it ‘Badminton’, after the country estate in Gloucestershire, England, where the game was first played.
The game of badminton gradually became popular in India and the old name of ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’ was replaced by the new name ‘Badminton’. The game was officially recognized as ‘Badminton’ and the name has since been adopted by most countries around the world.
Conclusion
Badminton is a popular sport in India, and it has a long and interesting history. For many years, the game was known as ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’ in India. The game was introduced in India in the late 19th century by British officers and it was quickly adopted by the Indians. The game was officially recognized as ‘Badminton’, and the old name of ‘Shuttlecock and Battledore’ was replaced by the new name. Today, badminton is played in India and around the world, and it is one of the most popular racket sports in the world.