Badminton is a sport that has been popular for centuries, with its roots tracing back to ancient India. The modern game of badminton has evolved from the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock. While the exact origin of the game is still unknown, it is believed to have originated in India and spread to other countries. While the game has changed over the years, the basic principles and rules remain largely the same. In this article, we will explore the history of badminton and find out what it was called in ancient India.
History of Badminton
Badminton has a long and storied history that dates back to the 18th century. The game was first introduced to the western world in the early 1800s by British Army officers who had served in India. The game was initially referred to as “Poona”, after the city in India where it was played. The name “badminton” was coined in 1873 when a group of English noblemen founded the Badminton Club in Gloucestershire, England.
The Rules of Badminton
The rules of badminton have changed and evolved over time. The modern game is played on a court that is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long and is divided into two halves by a net that is 5 feet tall at the center. The object of the game is to hit the shuttlecock (a feathered projectile) over the net and into the opposing player’s court. Players must use their racquets to hit the shuttlecock and can only hit it once before it passes over the net. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game.
Badminton in Ancient India
The game of badminton has its roots in ancient India, where it was known by several different names. One of the earliest known references to the game was in the epic poem “Mahabharata”, written around 500 BC. In this poem, the game is referred to as “Chaturanga”. The game was also known as “Krete” in ancient India, and was played with a stick and a shuttlecock.
The game of badminton likely evolved from the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock. Battledore was a popular game in ancient India and involved two players hitting a shuttlecock back and forth with paddles. The game was often played with a single shuttlecock, which was then replaced with a pair when the game evolved into badminton.
Conclusion
Badminton is a popular sport with a long and storied history. It originated in ancient India, where it was referred to by several different names, including Chaturanga and Krete. The game evolved from the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock and has changed and evolved over time. The modern game is played on a court that is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long and is divided into two halves by a net that is 5 feet tall at the center. The object of the game is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the opposing player’s court. Players must use their racquets to hit the shuttlecock and can only hit it once before it passes over the net. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game.