Maharashtra Board Class 10 History Chapter 7 Sports and History PDF Download

7. Sports and History

Sports combine entertainment and physical exercise.

To play is a natural human instinct. Hence, the history of sports begins with the origin of mankind. Various games have been played since the beginning of civilisation. Hunting was indeed a way of obtaining food for the ancient people but it was also looked upon as a game and entertainment. The ancient Indian literature and epics mention various games such as games of dice (dyut), wrestling, Horse and Chariot races and chess.

Sports and Greeks is a very ancient equation. The Greeks were the first to Standardise the rules of sports and organise them systematically. They started sports competitions of Discus throw, Horse and Chariot Races, Wrestling and Boxing, etc. The ancient event of Olympic competitions used to be held at Olympia, the ancient Greek city. To be able to participate in Olympics and be a winner is supposed to be a great honour for sports persons.

There are a number of training centres for wrestling and other sports.

1. Vyayamshala of famous wrestlers Jummadada and Manikrao, Vadodara.

2. Kreeda Vidyapeeth, Patiyala.

3. Svarnim Gujarat Sports, Gandhinagar.

4. Khasbag Talim and Motibag Talim, Kolhapur.

5. Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amaravati.

6. Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul, Balewadi, Pune.

7.1 Importance of Sports

To play games is very important for us. It enables us to overcome suffering and worries. Games help us to relax and refresh our minds. Games, which involve lot of physical activities, provide good exercise as well. Games help in building a tenacious and strong body. Playing games also helps us in developing courage, determination and sportsmanship. Games needing collective participation help us to develop a sense of cooperation and team spirit. It also helps in developing leadership.

Teacher's Note

Playing games is very good for your body and mind. When you play kabaddi with your friends, you become stronger and learn to work as a team.

Exam Trick

Remember: Games = Exercise + Fun + Courage. All these three things come together when you play sports.

Points to Remember

Sports help us overcome worries and relax our minds.
Games give us good physical exercise and build a strong body.
Playing games helps develop courage and sportsmanship.
Team games teach us cooperation and team spirit.
Games also help develop leadership qualities in us.

7.2 Types of sports

Sports are of two types, 'Indoor Games' and 'Outdoor Games'.

Indoor Games: Indoor Games are played within a closed environment and a number of them are played by sitting at one place. They include chess, card games, games played with gamesmen and dice, carom, etc. The game known by various names as Kachkavadya or Chaukabara, or as Indian Ludo is very popular among Indians. The game known as Sagargote played with a bunch of seeds or stones, is usually played by girls. There is another game known as Bhatukali (playing house) which is usually played by girls. However, all the members in the family can also participate in it, especially in the mock wedding of a girl doll and a boy doll. It is an occasion of family celebration.

Indian games like marbles, Lagori, Vitti-Dandu or Gilli-Danda, Bhingari (whorls), Bhovare (tops), Phugadi, Zimma are quite popular.

The international games include Badminton (alternatively spelt as Badmington), Table Tennis, Hockey, Cricket, Football, Golf, Polo, etc.

Outdoor games: The outdoor games can be categorised into two types, 'Indian sports' and 'International Sports'. Indian games include Langadi, Kabaddi, Atyapatya, Kho-kho, etc.

Among outdoor sports, running races are popular all over the world. Sprints or short distance running races are usually arranged for 100 and 200 metres. There are also middle distance and long distance races. Marathon is a long distance running race. Other types of running races are hurdles and relay races.

Shot put, discus throw, long jump, high jump, water sports like swimming competitions, water polo, rowing and sports that combine physical exercise and acrobatics like mallakhamb, rope mallakhamb, gymnastics, etc. are all included in the outdoor sports based on physical skills.

Adventurous games: Ice skating, skiing, ice hockey, etc. are popular games that require balancing skills.

There are many other adventurous games which include rock-climbing, gliding, auto racing – cars and motorbikes, etc.

Sports Competitions: Sport competitions of various types is a worldwide phenomenon. Sport competitions like Olympics, Asian Games also known as Asiad, Paralympic or Special Olympics for disabled people, Cricket World Cup, etc. are organised on regular basis. Also international competitions for many other sports like hockey, wrestling, chess, etc. are organised on a grand scale. In India hockey and cricket are very popular. Hockey is our national game. Competitions of all these games are organised at local, city, taluka, district, state, national and international levels. Sportspersons who perform well in national and international competitions have good career prospects.

Major Dhyan Chand, an expert player of hockey was also the captain of the Indian hockey team. Indian Hockey team won a Gold Medal in 1936 at Berlin Olympics under his captaincy. He was also part of the previous Indian hockey teams in 1928 and 1932, which played at Olympics and won Gold medals. 29th August, the birth date of Dhyan Chand is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India. He was known as the 'Wizard of Hockey'. He was honoured with a 'Padmabhushan' in 1956.

Teacher's Note

There are many types of sports - some you play in a room like chess, and some you play outside like kabaddi. In India, hockey is our national game which is very important.

Exam Trick

Remember: Indoor = Inside room (chess, carom). Outdoor = Outside in ground (cricket, kabaddi). Easy to remember!

Points to Remember

Sports are divided into Indoor Games and Outdoor Games.
Indoor games are played sitting in one place like chess and carom.
Outdoor games include running races, swimming, and team games like kabaddi.
Hockey is India's national game.
Major Dhyan Chand was a famous hockey player and his birthday is National Sports Day.

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