Traditional Indian Games
Delhi Police & SSC Exams - GK Section
Introduction
India has a rich tradition of indigenous games that reflect culture, discipline, teamwork and strength. Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, Gilli-Danda, Kushti (Wrestling) inspire modern sports and are celebrated internationally.
Memory Trick: K–K–M–G–W → Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, Gilli-Danda, Wrestling. (“Khel Ki Mitti Golden Wow!”)
Kabaddi – The Game of Strength & Strategy
| Origin | Ancient Tamil Nadu (References in Mahabharata & Buddhist texts) |
| Objective | Touch opponents and return home without being caught |
| Type | Team sport (7 players per side) |
| Court | Rectangular – divided into two halves |
| Famous Leagues / Events | Pro Kabaddi League (since 2014) |
| Popular Tournaments | Asian Games, World Cup, National Kabaddi Championship |
| Governing Body | Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) |
- India won all Kabaddi World Cups (Men’s) from 2004 to 2016.
- Women’s Kabaddi Team also won multiple Asian Games golds.
Kabaddi – Catch, Breathe, Conquer.
Kho-Kho – The Game of Chase
| Origin | Maharashtra (Derived from “Rathera” game) |
| Objective | Chase and tag opponents |
| Players | 12 (9 active + 3 substitutes) |
| Court | 29m × 16m rectangular field |
| Major Tournaments | Kho-Kho Federation Cup, Ultimate Kho-Kho League (2022) |
| Governing Body | Kho-Kho Federation of India (KKFI) |
- Introduced in 1936 Berlin Olympics (Demonstration Sport)
- Maharashtra & Telangana dominate nationals
Kho-Kho – Chase and Touch, Fast as Lightning.
Mallakhamb – Art of Strength & Balance
| Origin | Maharashtra, Peshwa Period (18th century) |
| Meaning | “Malla”=Wrestler, “Khamb”=Pole |
| Type | Gymnastics on wooden pole or rope |
| Equipment | Vertical wooden pole (8.5 ft) |
| Major Events | National Mallakhamb Championship |
| Recognition | State Sport of Madhya Pradesh |
- Pole Mallakhamb
- Rope Mallakhamb
- Hanging Mallakhamb
Mallakhamb = India’s Ancient Gymnastics.
Gilli-Danda — The Rural Baseball
| Origin | Rural India (2500+ years) |
| Similar To | Cricket & Baseball |
| Equipment | Gilli (small stick), Danda (long stick) |
| Objective | Strike gilli with danda, score by distance |
| Popularity | Common in India/Nepal/Bangladesh villages |
| Current Status | Informal, recreational, village sport |
Gilli-Danda – Mini Cricket of Villages.
Wrestling (Kushti / Pehlwani) – Akhara Tradition
| Origin | Ancient India (Mahabharata & Ramayana) |
| Arena | Mud pit (Akhara) |
| Type | Combat sport, pin opponent down |
| Popular Styles | Kushti, Freestyle, Greco-Roman |
| Famous Tournaments | Bharat Kesari Dangal, Rustam-e-Hind |
| Famous Indian Wrestlers | Great Gama, Sushil Kumar, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat |
- The Great Gama (Ghulam Mohammad) — undefeated world champion (1910s–1940s)
- India excels at Wrestling in Asian & Commonwealth Games
Kushti – Strength, Soil, and Spirit.
Summary Table – Traditional Indian Games Overview
| Game | Origin / State | Nature | Major Tournament / League | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabaddi | Tamil Nadu | Contact Team Sport | Pro Kabaddi League | Strength & strategy |
| Kho-Kho | Maharashtra | Chase & Tag | Ultimate Kho-Kho League | Speed & teamwork |
| Mallakhamb | Maharashtra | Gymnastic on Pole | National Mallakhamb Champ. | Strength & balance |
| Gilli-Danda | All over India | Bat & Ball | Local tournaments | Rural recreation |
| Kushti (Wrestling) | All over India | Combat Sport | Bharat Kesari Dangal | Mud-pit wrestling |
Memory Trick: Khel of 5 Ks → Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Kushti, Khamb, Killi.
Famous Traditional Game Tournaments
| Game | Famous Tournaments / Leagues |
|---|---|
| Kabaddi | Pro Kabaddi League, National Kabaddi Championship |
| Kho-Kho | Ultimate Kho-Kho League, Federation Cup |
| Mallakhamb | National Mallakhamb Championships |
| Wrestling (Kushti) | Bharat Kesari Dangal, Rustam-e-Hind, Dangals |
| Gilli-Danda | Informal; No national tournament |
Government Recognition
- Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb: Recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
- Khelo India Scheme promotes indigenous sports
- Mallakhamb included in Khelo India Youth Games (2021) for the first time
Khelo India promotes Desi Sports with Pride.
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Which of the following is India’s indigenous game?
A) Baseball B) Kho-Kho C) Basketball D) Rugby
Show Answer
B) Kho-Kho
Pro Kabaddi League was started in —
A) 2012 B) 2014 C) 2016 D) 2018
Show Answer
B) 2014
The term “Akhara” is associated with —
A) Judo B) Boxing C) Wrestling (Kushti) D) Mallakhamb
Show Answer
C) Wrestling (Kushti)
Mallakhamb is performed on —
A) Rope or Pole B) Mat or Floor C) Net D) Table
Show Answer
A) Rope or Pole
Kho-Kho originated from which Indian state?
A) Punjab B) Maharashtra C) Tamil Nadu D) Haryana
Show Answer
B) Maharashtra
Gilli-Danda is similar to which of the following modern games?
A) Hockey B) Cricket C) Badminton D) Chess
Show Answer
B) Cricket
Kushti is another name for —
A) Archery B) Wrestling C) Fencing D) Boxing
Show Answer
B) Wrestling
The state sport of Madhya Pradesh is —
A) Kabaddi B) Mallakhamb C) Kho-Kho D) Wrestling
Show Answer
B) Mallakhamb
“The Great Gama” is associated with which sport?
A) Boxing B) Wrestling C) Weightlifting D) Kabaddi
Show Answer
B) Wrestling
The governing body for Kabaddi in India is —
A) BAI B) AIFF C) AKFI D) IOA
Show Answer
C) AKFI (Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India)
Quick Revision Table – One Line Memory
| Game | Keyword / Clue |
|---|---|
| Kabaddi | Breath control, body strength |
| Kho-Kho | Chase & touch game |
| Mallakhamb | Pole gymnastics |
| Gilli-Danda | Village cricket |
| Kushti (Wrestling) | Akhara & mud fights |
Mnemonic: Kabaddi Khelte Mallakhamb Gilli Wale Kushti Pehle.
Final Concept Recap
- Kabaddi – Tamil Nadu; Pro Kabaddi League; Team sport
- Kho-Kho – Maharashtra; Chase game; Ultimate Kho-Kho League
- Mallakhamb – Maharashtra; Gymnastics on pole; Khelo India recognition
- Gilli-Danda – Rural sport; Predecessor to cricket
- Kushti – Ancient wrestling; Practiced in Akharas
One-Line Memory: India’s soil, sweat, and spirit live in its traditional sports.
Master Traditional Sports GK!
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