There is no literary material available about physical education in ancient India. Ancient India, like ancient China, was religious and very close to Indian culture and traditions. His lifestyle was very simple.
In ancient India, the main education center was Gurukul, where sages and sages provided complete education. Special attention was given to physical activities in Gurukuls. These activities, especially wrestling, archery, mace fight, Khadak fight, yoga, horse riding, horse riding, etc. were taught and practiced, along with this they were also told about religious and cultural activities. In ancient India, all the activities were carried out in the open fields. At that time, there were no requirements of any kind, even if they were there, they were only nominal like pair, mace, rattle, bow and arrow, etc.
Distribution of History of Physical Education in India
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In ancient India, physical education was an integral part of life and it was not considered a professional occupation. As described in the Upanishads – “Physical strength is essential for spiritual strength.”
In ancient times, during the Buddhist period, despite the prohibition of sports, entertainment, and exercise by Lord Buddha, such activities were not completely stopped. Lord Buddha believed that such activities do not bring mental stability to humans. Buddha always laid special emphasis on spiritual and non-violent activities.
To study the history of physical education in India, we have to study the development of physical education from ancient times till today. The history of education and physical education in India is not available in written form, because, in ancient India, there were no historians like the Chinese, Greeks, and Arabs. Our ancient history is based on folk tales, old sagas, and oral lectures.
To study physical education, we can divide it into three periods –
- History of Physical Education in Ancient India
- History of Physical Education in British India
- History of Physical Education in Modern India
History of Physical Education in Ancient India-
Ancient India had developed into an urban civilization by about 3000 BC, clear evidence of which we find in the excavations of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. During this period, there were big gymnasiums where people used to exercise collectively and keep themselves healthy, as well as big bathing houses where citizens used to take baths. During this period, excellent arrangements for drainage were made. During this period, citizens were very conscious of cleanliness. We can divide the history of physical education in ancient India into the following periods –
Partition of Ancient India-
- Indus Valley Civilization (3250-2500 BC)
- Vedic period (2500-1000)
- Epic period (1000-600 BC)
- Pre-Hindu period (600 BC to 300 AD)
- Late Hindu period (300 AD- 1200 AD)
- Middle Period (1000 AD- 1750 AD)
History of Physical Education in British India (1825- 1947)
After 1825 AD the condition of education was pathetic. The British were interested in sports but education was implemented properly in schools. During this period, the influence of Western civilization started coming into Indian culture, as a result of which youth started becoming indifferent towards indigenous activities and they started moving away from indigenous gymnasiums. Its main reasons are as follows-
Foreign activities were more attractive and entertaining than indigenous activities.
Western arts were collective and a large number of people could participate in it simultaneously. And no special skills were required whereas indigenous activities could not be done in groups.
Swadeshi Kriya was not even included in the school curriculum.
Various foreign rulers ruled India and everyone implemented their programs, as a result of which the nature of Indian physical activity deteriorated. Just as during the Muslim period, various types of physical training were limited only to soldiers, common people were prohibited from doing this type of training. A similar system existed during Portuguese and French rule also. British rule lasted for a long time in India and during this period the importance of indigenous activities completely diminished. After the implementation of the Arms Act, Indians were banned from carrying war weapons, and Indian indigenous activities like sword fighting, stabbing, etc. were banned. As a result the physical efficiency of Indians gradually started decreasing.
During the British rule, all types of sports activities were organized only through private efforts.
History of Physical Education in Modern India (1947-till date)
After independence in 1947, new policies were implemented in the field of education, and many types of schemes for the development of physical education and recreation were also started by the Government of India. To expand education further, new schools and colleges were opened, and education was made compulsory for boys and girls up to 14 years of age without any discrimination. Many important works were also done in the field of physical education.
After independence in 1947, new policies were implemented in the field of education, and many types of schemes for the development of physical education and recreation were also started by the Government of India. To expand education further, new schools and colleges were opened, and education was made compulsory for boys and girls up to 14 years of age without any discrimination. Many important works were also done in the field of physical education.
The Indian tricolor was hoisted for the first time in the 1948 London Olympics. According to the Indian Parliament Act, the National Cadet Corps was established in 1948, the credit for which goes to Pandit Hridaynath Kunzru.
Tarachand Committee was formed in 1948 for the development of physical education, and on the suggestion of the Tarachand Committee, Laxmibai Physical Education College was established in 1957 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation was formed in 1950. The nominated members of this board were as follows-
- One member each from all the states
- Experts in physical education nominated by the Government of India
- Chairman from the Ministry of Education and Secretary from the same Ministry nominated by the Government of India.
The first Chairman of the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (the then Education Minister of the Government of India). The main objective of this board was to suggest programs and activities to the Central Government for physical education, sports, entertainment, and the development of youth. By this same board, in 1966-1967, the programs of the National Fitness Corps were implemented in all the schools and physical education institutions of the Government of India.
On 7 November 1950, Scouts and Guides were merged together and this joint organization was named The Bharat Scouts & Guides. National leaders in its establishment included the first Prime Minister – Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Education Minister – Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Governor of the State – Shri Mangaldas Pak Vasa, Scout Leader – Pandit Hridaynath Kunzru, Pandit Shriram Bajpai, Justice V.C.N Bose etc. Gave my contribution. The headquarters of The Bharat Scouts and Guides is located at Lakshmi Majumdar Bhawan, 16 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi.
The first Asian Games were organized in New Delhi in 1951. Secondary Education Commission was established in 1952-53. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Coaching Scheme was started in 1953. Amrit Kaur was the then Health Minister and was also a good tennis player. Under this scheme, good players were given training. Major Dhyan Chand ji had also given his services in this scheme. This scheme was discontinued in 1961 and it was merged into the National Institute of Sports, Patiala (NIS- National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Punjab).
General J. by the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Government of India. Of. The National Discipline Scheme was started in 1954 under the chairmanship of Bhosale. The foundation of this scheme was laid on 24 July 1954 at Kasturba Niketan, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi.
In 1965, on the suggestions of the Kunzru Committee, the National Discipline Scheme was merged with the Auxiliary Cadet Corps and Physical Education, jointly named the National Health Corps.