Kamat Research Database

Since ancient times, people in India believed that the human body is indeed an instrument of dharma . Hence the body is to be properly nourished, and maintained. In medieval Karnataka people gave as much importance to physical exercise as to literary education. The principle of “a sound mind in a sound body” was not only accepted but also faithfully practiced. The system of yoga was the first step in spiritual training.  Yoga comprises full-fledged toning of the body and mind. It includes the use of various body postures to control breathing and muscle movements, and to help gain control over human passions as well. It was the general belief that this balancing of the body and mind led to intellectual strength.
Village schools were usually situated in the temple premises or in the courtyard of mathas, where children played after daytime lessons. Besides this, every village had one or two playgrounds, where sporting events and games were held during the annual fair of the village deity. These involved wrestling, boxing, mallakhambha (pillar acrobatics), the shooting of arrows, and demonstrations of strength such as weight lifting. Bigger grounds were reserved for ram-fights, buffalo fights, fencing and duelling. Various ball games, and the indigenous sports of kho-kho and  kabaddi were common. Most childrens' sports in medieval India ensured body-development. The economy and variety of indigenous games were greatly admired by visiting foreign travelers.