Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India (Contemporary Asia in the World)

Ronojoy Sen Pairs A Novel History Of India's Engagement With Sport And A Probing Analysis Of Its Cultural And Political Development. Sen Follows The Transformation Of Sport From An Elite, Kingly Pastime To A National Obsession. He Pays Special Attention To The Dominance Of Cricket In The Indian Consciousness And The Chronic Failure In International Competition. Sen Captures The Political Nature Of Sport In India And Reveals Centuries-old Patterns Of Patronage, Clientage, And Institutionalization.--from Publisher Description. Introduction -- Down The Ages: Sport In Ancient And Medieval India -- Empire Of Sport: The Early British Impact On Recreation -- White Man's Burden: Teachers, Missionaries, And Administrators -- Players And Patrons: Indian Princes And Sports -- The Empire Strikes Back: The 1911 Ifa Shield And Football In Calcutta -- Politics On The Maidan: Sport, Communalism, And Nationalism -- The Early Olympics: India's Hockey Triumphs -- Lord Of The Ring: Tales Of Wrestlers And Boxers -- Freedom Games: The First Two Decades Of Independence -- Domestic Sports: State, Club, Office, And Regiment (1947-1970) -- 1971 And After: The Religion Called Cricket -- Life Beyond Cricket. Ronojoy Sen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.