Reports from TOI archives and books written on the recreational activities of the British throw light on India’s obsession with the sport
India’s historic win in the Thomas Cup, the top prize in men’s team badminton, isn’t just well-deserved recognition for our talented players. It also feels truly appropriate for a game that started with a craze in India 150 years ago.
Badminton’s equipment clearly derives from battledore and shuttlecocks, small bats and feathers stuck in corks. Children had played simple games with them for ages, typically using bats to keep shuttlecocks aloft. At some point in the 19th century, players started facing each other over a net and the game became more adversarial.
Badminton’s equipment clearly derives from battledore and shuttlecocks, small bats and feathers stuck in corks. Children had played simple games with them for ages, typically using bats to keep shuttlecocks aloft. At some point in the 19th century, players started facing each other over a net and the game became more adversarial.