DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA

(PRE-INDEPENDENCE)

The briefs of Physical Education today rest on the history of this field of endeavor.
It is the source of Physical education’s identity. Many of today’s activities have their fore-
runners in history. For instance, the first Olympic dates back to 776 B.C in Ancient Greek,
yoga and Karate, activities with much recent interest, dates back to ancient oriental
societies. Many more facts that will help the physical educators to understand the present
better can be achieved by studying the past.

● DIVISION OF ANCIENT PERIOD WITH PHYSICAL EDUCATION EVIDENCES

Indus-Valley
Civilization The Vedic Period Early Hindu
Period (2500B.C- Period (600B.C-
(3250B.C- 600B.C) 320A.D)
2500B.C)

Later Hindu
British Period Medieval Period Period (320A.D-
(Till 1947) (1000A.D-1757A. 1000A.D)
 DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA (PRE-INDEPENDENCE)

1. INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION PERIOD (3250 B.C-2500B.C):

There is no record of any physical art or craft during this period. But an idea of physical
education can be carefully studied by studding the war, weapons, tools and implements, seals
sculpture found at Harappa and Mohenjodaro. During this age the objective of physical education
was achieved through a daily routine of work, game, sports and amusements. Marbles, balls and
dice were used for games. Boxing was also in practice as evident from a seal found.

2. VEDIC PERIOD (2500B.C-600B.C):

In this period the origin of Suryanamaskara was evidenced and it was performed as a
religious duty, in today's time it’s a physical exercise. Now, it has developed into a popular
exercise. The practice of pranayama was another important development that occurs in this period.
In Vedic period military training was developed and practiced. Along with military training martial
skills, hand wrestling, use of bows and arrows, dagger fight, sword fight, mace fight, hurling the
discus, horse riding, chariot racing, hunting, elephant riding, boxing were evidenced. In this period
ball games were played by both man and women. Practice of yoga was for the development of
spiritual development.

3. EARLY HINDU PERIOD (600B.C-320A.D):

Ramayana and Mahabharata make great deals of reference of physical training. Hunting was
very much popular which was considered as a royal game. Dicing and chess were very popular
games. Animal combat fight, wrestling, male fighting, chariot driving, archery and water sports
were evidenced in this period. The practice of fighting with animals was prevalent and was
considered to be important features of this age.

4. LATER HINDU PERIOD (320A.D-1000A.D):

In later Hindu period great universities like- Taksila and Nalanda were developed. Through
these universities the idea of physical, intellectual and aesthetic training was the centre of learning.
Wrestling, archery and mountain climbing were given special attention. At Nalanda University
swimming, breathing exercise and yoga were the essential part of students learning. In this period,
Gupta rulers give emphasis on importance of physical education. Hunting was very much popular
and cock fight was very much popular. Elephant and buffalo fighting were popular. But in Nalanda
university swimming hour were there for every student. Great emphasis were given on sound
health and physical fitness along with habits, regulate diet, long walking, physical labour etc.

5. MEDIEVAL PERIOD (1000A.D-1757A.D):

In the 12th century A.D our physical education system was promoted in the gurukulas by
our ancient teachers in the gymnasium. During 1200 to 1525 A.D kings paid more attention
towards the military training which results in practiced of handling different kinds of weapons for
self defence. The famous religious prophet like Shree Samarth Ramadas Swamee felt the
importance of physical education and he started practicing 1200 times Suryanamaskara every day.
He started inspiring people to develop gymnasium with a temple of God Hanuman. Due to him
only hundreds of gymnasiums were build in the country. That’s why he is known as the father of
Indian Gymnasium Movement. He introduced some physical activities inside the gymnasium such
as- Suryanamaskara, Dands, Heavy Club Swinging, Malkhams, Wrestling, Swords fighting etc.

6. BRITISH PERIOD (TILL 1946):

● Before independence the evidence of physical education is nowhere, but some where it
was evidenced.
● Before independence physical education was the part of our society but not the part of
school curriculum. In 1870 it is evidenced that British Govt. has started including
physical education in the school curriculum in their different regions.
● In 1882 Indian education commissioner has stated that physical education has its
importance in each and every youth’s life. In the year 1882 in each and every schools
and institutions sorts, physical training, gymnastic, drill were in the school curriculum.
● In 1885 when congress party came into power they give emphasis on physical education
to make the youth generation strong to fight against the British rule. This idea helps the
youth generation to promote physical activities such as- wand fight, swords fighting,
wrestling, dand-bethak (push ups) etc. In the year Akharas were established, yoga centers
etc.
● In 1894 a proposal was send to include physical education in school curriculum but it
was rejected. In the beginning of 1894 British introduced Swedish gymnastic in India in
all schools but it was not allowed for the poor peoples.
● In 1903 in all school along with Swedish gymnastic, Indian sports started such as-
football, kho-kho, Kabaddi, hockey etc. In 1903 British Govt. has stated promoting
physical education in different parts of India. British Govt. has started physical education
which is a commendable. In Saint Joseph School Swedish Gymnastic and other Indian
sports are included in school curriculum.
● In 1920 govt. schools and Institutions has stated including physical education curriculum
along with their school curriculum. At that there was a shortage of well qualified
teacher’s and to full fill up that Govt. has started establishing Colleges and Universities
in which Y.M.C.A Institute of Physical education was commendable, Hyderabad
Physical Education College, West Bengal Banipur Physical Education College, Lucknow
Christian Physical Education College, in Bombay Kandivalli Training Institute of
Physical Education, and in Amravati Sri Hanuman Vyam Prasarak Mandal were
established.
● In 1923 Indian Olympic Committee was established.
● In 1925 Indian Hockey Federation was established.
● In 1926 Indian Cricket Control Board was established.
● In 1927 Indian Olympic Association was established. From 1934 Ranji Trophy started.
● In 1940 Indian Billiards Association was established. In 1940 Indian Swimming
Federation was established.
● In 1944 Indian Amateur Athletic Federation Was established.
● In 1946 Amravati Sri Hanuman Vyam Prasarak Mandal and Akhil Maharashtra Physical
Education Mandal combinely organised a Physical Education Open conference.
● In this open physical education conference Indian recognized associations were involved
because these associations were responsible for the development of Physical education
in India during that time. Due to this Physical education clubs, Gym, Akharas were
developed and Physical education movement was started by aiming to make the India
free from British rule.

DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA (POST-INDEPENDENCE)

● In the year 1946 development of Physical Education was evidence in compare to
the developed countries. But in this year 1946 the aims and objectives of Physical
Education were just written only no action was done on those aims and objectives.

● In 1948 Central Govt. of India established a committee of Physical Education which

was named as Tarachad committee. From 1948 Govt. physical education colleges
has been established in each and every states of India for fulfillment of required
teachers. One year diploma course has been started.

● In 1953 coaching scheme has been started which was initiated by Rajkumari Amrit
Kaur. The coaching scheme was named after Rajkumari Kaur and the name of the
coaching scheme was Rajkumari Coaching Scheme.

● In 1954 Indian Govt. established a curriculum advisory board whose function was
to help the Indian Govt. in making a physical education curriculum. In 1954 Indian
Sports Council was made. Its function was to communicate with the central govt.
in favour of sports federations and associations. Under this council each and every
state and district sports council was made and they have to function according to it.

● In 1954 under the guidance of J. K. Bhosle National Defence Scheme was

constructed, its aim was to control the overcrowded refugee’s after the participation
happens. In this year Indian School Games Federation was established in Kolkata
to conduct Inter-state competition among the school students. In 1954 Indian
Cricket Council was established.

● In 1956 emphasis were laid upon Physical education curriculum and after that
physical education curriculum was made.

● In 1957 on the name queen Jhansi, Laxmibai National Institute of Physical

Education was established. Under this institute first time 3 years physical education
course was started.

● For physical education development, sports development and for motivating youth
generation toward physical fitness and activities Indian Govt. has opened a different
section of Education departments in 1958. In 1958 Central Govt. along with
 different physical education committees has started discussing on the possible ways
of including physical education in every schools and colleges.

● In 1959 Indian Govt. has created Ad Hoc committee whose function is to visit
different schools and institutions and to advise to include more sports and physical
activities.

● In 1961 NIS (National Institute of Sports) was established, under this institution
specialization in one specific game has started to make the sports person well
equipped knowledgeable in one particular game. Later, NIS Centre was
established in Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. In 1962 Indian Govt. has educational
handbook.

● In 1963 Kalyani University, Punjab University in Chandigarh, Banaras Hindu

University in Uttar Pradesh has started Physical Education Curriculum along with
Physical Education courses.

● In 1964 University Grant Commission (UGC) has published committee report,

in this report it is mentioned that overall development of human beings and
education, importance should be given to physical education in college and
university level. In between 1964-66 Kothari Commission was established and
through Kothari Commission a proposal was submitted to include Physical
Education in school level.

● In 1974 West Bengal started physical education as a part of school curriculum and
also as a subject upto secondary level.

● In 1975-95 in demand of physical education specially West Bengal has started

establishing Teachers’ training institutes’ such as- In 1975 State Institute of
Physical Education for Womens’ were established in Kolkata; In 1975
Jadavpur University Department of Physical Education were established; In
1975 Union Christian Training College and Baharampur Department of
Physical Education were established; In 1978 Nikhil Banga Teachers’
Training College Bishnupur.

● In 1982 B.P.Ed course started in Kalyani University West Bengal.

● In 1983 Government College of Physical Education for Womens’ Hugli were
established.

● In 1994 Physical Education as subject started in Banipur University and

Jadavpur University.

● From 1995 B.P.Ed course in physical education started in Department of Physical

Education Kapgari Seva Bharati Vidyalaya, Panskura Banamali College,
Garhbeta College, and Mugberia Gangadhar College. From 1995 physical
education became the part of education system as an elective subject in colleges
and universities.

● From 1999 three (3) years degree course in physical education were started in
Visva-Bharati University.