Page 7 - Lesson 1.xps

Introduction and Historical Development MODULE-1
Concept of Physical
Education and Yog
The Rajputs were divided into hundreds of clans and often fought among them
selves. There was no central authority; however they remained supreme up to
13th century. The Rajputs called themselves pure Kshatriya and their profession
was fighting. Horse riding, Javelin throwing, archery, wrestling, hunting and
mace fighting etc. were very popular activities. Girls were also taught to ride a
horse without saddle. Dancing and Music have been a part and parcel of the
Rajput life.

Note
DO YOU KNOW ?

Great emphasis was laid on the military and physical art during Ganga dynasty
in Orissa.

1.2.2 Medieval Period

Muslims ruled India for about 600 years. They were very fond of sports. Sports
like wrestling, boxing, polo, rugby, shooting, archery, swimming, sword fighting,
chess, horse riding, and Javelin throwing were popular during medieval period.
Hunting, pigeon flying and animal fighting were also very popular during the
period.

1.2.3 Modern Period

Physical education had always existed in the Indian society in one form or other,
but had never been considered a part and parcel of school curriculum. No doubt
the English men were sports loving people, yet they also did not pay any attention
to the inclusion of physical education in the school educational programme. In
1833, Government of India shouldered the responsibility of education and in
1870, education was made a state subject, the centre only retained the supervisory
powers. For the first time in 1882, the Indian Education Commission
recommended physical training in school education. It recommended that physical
training be promoted in schools by encouragement of native games such as
gymnastics, drills and other exercises. This spurred the interest of the school
children to take to physical activities

Private organisations for physical education like gymnasia, Vyayam-Shala,
Akhadas and Kreeda mandals contributed much for the spread of traditional
interest in the subject. Danda, Baithaka, folk dances, wrestling and exercises
with light apparatus received greater attention. Indigenous games like Kho-Kho
and atye-patye also became popular. Physical education such as drills and P.T.
exercises were imparted in some schools by ex-servicemen. They also prepared
the students as Scouts for school ceremonies. The outstanding development of
physical education in pre-independent India goes to the Y.M.C.A., College of

Physical Education and Yog
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