This paper tries to probe into many intricate questions regarding the hockey career of India. The previous works mainly deal with the golden years of Indian hockey when India was supreme in the hockey field. But in my paper, I will try to show how the game hockey created a national identity among the Indians and what factors helped hockey in being the national game of India where football and cricket was also popular.
The first section of the paper will deal with the birth of hockey in India and its journey to the international sports field. In this section I will discuss which factors made hockey the ‘golden game’ of India. What held the hockey group together which lacked in the other team sports and the American influence in Indian hockey.
In this section we will discuss how hockey helped in creating a national identity for the Indians. The seed of nationalism started growing among Indian hockey players and there were several instances which showed that this game helped them create a national identity. This section will try to uphold these instances where a colonized nation could create an identity due to a game.
While it was the British who helped spread hockey in India, they were not present when the Indians won their first gold medal. Several Indian newspapers documented this incident and it is very interesting to see the reaction of the colonizers. In this section we will discuss that in detail. In the concluding section we will deal with the factors which led to the deterioration of Indian hockey and why slowly cricket became more popular than it.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. BIRTH OF THE NATIONAL GAME
- II. India within the 5 rings
- III. Indian Hockey as seen by the World
- IV. Downfall of Indian Hockey
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to briefly trace the history of Indian hockey, its rise to global dominance, the role it played in shaping Indian national identity, and its eventual decline. The paper explores the factors contributing to both the success and the subsequent fall from grace of Indian hockey.
- The development of hockey in India from its colonial origins.
- The role of hockey in the formation of Indian national identity.
- The factors contributing to India's dominance in Olympic hockey.
- The reasons for the decline of Indian hockey.
- A comparison between the national impact of hockey and cricket.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. BIRTH OF THE NATIONAL GAME: This chapter details the early development of hockey in India, tracing its introduction by the British, its initial popularity within the European and Anglo-Indian communities, and its eventual spread among the Indian population. It highlights the role of the Indian Army in promoting the sport and the establishment of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) as a crucial step towards international competition. The chapter emphasizes the pivotal role of Dhyan Chand and the significant victory over the British team at the Folkestone Easter festival, a win that arguably led to the British withdrawing from Olympic hockey for two decades. The chapter also explores the lack of a strong nationalistic fervor around this victory, despite its implications. The success in New Zealand brought Indian hockey to international prominence and paved the way for future Olympic triumphs. The chapter meticulously contrasts the narrative surrounding this victory with the more widely documented 1911 football victory.
II. India within the 5 rings: This chapter analyzes India's performance in Olympic hockey, dividing its history into three phases based on its level of success. The first phase, marked by overwhelming superiority, showcases India's mastery of the game and its baffling techniques. The second phase shows continued victories, albeit with smaller margins of victory. The third and final phase covers the decline of India's Olympic hockey fortunes, highlighting the various contributing factors to this decline. The chapter explores the geographical and physical attributes of India (climate, terrain, physique of players) as contributing factors to its early success, along with a discussion on less prominent aspects like the lack of administrative and political divides that hindered other sports. The chapter emphasizes the exceptional skills and strategies employed by the Indian teams, contrasting them with the playing styles of European teams.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Hockey, nationalism, Olympics, Indian identity, Cricket, Dhyan Chand, British colonialism, sports history, national identity, international competition.
Frequently Asked Questions: A History of Indian Hockey
What is the overall topic of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of the history of Indian hockey, exploring its rise to global dominance, its role in shaping Indian national identity, and its eventual decline. It examines factors contributing to both its success and subsequent downfall, comparing its impact to that of cricket.
What are the main chapters covered in the text?
The text is structured into four main chapters: I. Birth of the National Game; II. India within the 5 rings; III. Indian Hockey as seen by the World (not detailed in the provided preview); and IV. Downfall of Indian Hockey (not detailed in the provided preview).
What are the key objectives and themes of this text?
The text aims to trace the history of Indian hockey, analyzing its development from colonial origins, its impact on Indian national identity, the reasons for its Olympic success, and the factors contributing to its decline. It also compares the national impact of hockey and cricket.
What does Chapter I, "Birth of the National Game," discuss?
This chapter details the early development of hockey in India, its introduction by the British, its spread among the Indian population, and the role of the Indian Army and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). It highlights key victories, such as the win over the British team at the Folkestone Easter festival and the success in New Zealand, and contrasts the narratives surrounding these victories.
What does Chapter II, "India within the 5 rings," cover?
This chapter analyzes India's performance in Olympic hockey, dividing its history into three phases based on its success levels. It explores the factors contributing to India's early dominance, including geographical and physical attributes, and contrasts Indian playing styles with those of European teams. It also discusses the decline of Indian Olympic hockey and the reasons behind it.
What are some key words associated with this text?
Key words include: Hockey, nationalism, Olympics, Indian identity, Cricket, Dhyan Chand, British colonialism, sports history, national identity, and international competition.
What is the intended audience for this text?
This text appears to be intended for academic use, supporting analysis of themes related to Indian hockey, its national significance, and its historical trajectory. The structured format and detailed summaries suggest a research or scholarly purpose.
- Quote paper
- Basudhita Basu (Author), 2015, Sports and national identity. A brief history of Indian hockey 1928 - 1980, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/308557
