Athletics: Origins of Athletics in India
Athletics is the collection of different games like, running, swimming, jumping, disk throwing and, horse riding etc. The history of athletics goes back to ancient times, when the games used to be typical and cultural. But later on with advancement in technology, the games took on new and modern forms.
The history of athletics in India dates back to the Vedic era. But the exact origin of athletics in India is a mystery. However it is said that, it was Antharva Veda who contoured the well illustrated values of athletics in India.
It is said that during the reign of Vedic and Ramayana, athletic games had typically common forms, such as, racing, archery, military tactics, wrestling, weight lifting ,swimming and, hunting etc. By turning back the pages of history one comes to know that the athletics acquired multiple dimensions during the Buddhist era. Interesting events like equitation, hammer throwing, and, chariot racing were in vogue during Buddhist reign. Besides hiking, walking and, ‘gulli-danda’ had made their presence during the last periods of ancient India. These games were made a necessary part of military training sessions in the Indian empire.
The nature and formation of sports started to change in India with the course of time, and its evolution started during the medieval period. During this era, the Indians started to play games such as, running, walking and throwing etc. Although, these games were games of the tracks, they had now turned into field sports. All of these games gained much popularity during this era, because of the capability to improve physical fitness.
Although the exact timing of contemporary athletics in India is unknown, it is usually said that, it was just after the independence of India when the modern form of athletics made its presence in the country.
Before taking the modern form, athletics in India had to pass through different phases. During the first phase, the Indians used to play on tracks and grassy fields. In the second phase or medieval period, the players of athletics in India used to play on synthetic surfaces. The synthetic surface made the job much easier for organizers of events because, there was no use for manually marking the tracks or surfaces for throwing or jumping. The third phase or the modern era is the period of technological development. Introduction of technology in sports improved the status of sports further in India with the keeping of the records of different events and players and time management became much easier.
The 40s and 50s are considered to be the most important era in the history of Indian athletics. It was during this time that different associations started there journey in India. The Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) was established during the same era. It worked in collaboration with other different athletic associations in the country for the improvement of athletics.
So far, different athletes of India have shown excellent performances both at national and international levels and in different events of athletics. They have managed to bring a considerable amount of glory to the nation. India has produced a number of brilliant athletes at the international level who have put on excellent performances in different athletic meets. Players such as, Milkha Singn, TC Yohannan, Gorbachan Singh, are considered to be successful and great athletes, or the golden boys in the athletic history of India. While, Ptusha, Anju, Saraswati Saha and, Soma etc. are considered to be the best athletes in modern Indian athletics.
With the course of time, athletics in India has also improved a lot. This is why; the Indians won a number of medals during recent Olympic events.
So, while discussing athletics in India we can say that, although the exact timing of athletics in India remains a mystery. But turning back the pages of history we come to know that athletics made its presence felt during the ancient times of the Indian history and it dates back to the Vedic era.
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