Historical Evolution of Kho-Kho

Historical Evolution of Kho-Kho

Kho-Kho one of the oldest sport of India known as Rathera. The origin of Kho-Kho is difficult to trace, but many historians believe, that it is a modified form of 'Run Chase', which in its simplest form involves chasing and touching a person. History of Kho-Kho in India goes back a long way, as it was first started in the state of Maharashtra. The game has been very popular in the Marathi speaking people.  With its origins in Maharashtra, Kho-Kho in ancient times, was played on 'raths' or chariots, and was known as Rathera.

Like all Indian games, it is simple, inexpensive and enjoyable. It does, however, demand physical fitness, strength, speed and stamina, and a certain amount of ability. Dodging, feinting and bursts of controlled speed make this game quite thrilling. To catch by pursuit - to chase, rather than just run - is the capstone of Kho-Kho. The game develops qualities such as obedience, discipline, sportsmanship, and loyalty between team members.

This game, for many years, was played in an informal ways! In order to make the game very popular, the Deccan Gymkhana club of Poona tried to formalize the game! The first edition of the rules, of Aryapatya Kho-Kho and Hu-Tu-Tu, was published in 1935, by the newly founded Akhil Maharashtra Shareerika Shikshan Mandal. In order to suite the playing condition some amendments have been made.

One of the main points of a successful animal life is "Active Chase" which is a fundamental principle of the Indian game called Kho Kho, synonymous with the phrase "Game of Chase". It will not be a mistake to say that Kho Kho was a recognized sport in the ancient times even earlier to the oldest mythological writings of classics- Mahabharata. The game of chase was then also regarded as legend, as it used in phraseology as "putting Kho to someone's active chase meaning putting an effective block and stopping the progress".

The current adaptation of the game was actually an adaptation about the time of World War I in 1914, but at the same time lacked exacting rules and regulation that govern the games in the modern times. There were neither any dimension to the playground nor the poles which demarcate the central line, and the factor was also missing!

The Deccan Gymkhana of Pune so named and opened by the great Indian leader Lokmanya Tilak formulated the first ever rule and regulation, that, in a way, symbolized the rules to follow in the future. The initial stage actually marked the restrain of the playground and yet sadly lacked the poles demarking the central line in the field. Instead, two less talented players were posted squatting at the place and chasers to run around them to return to the midfield. It helped to capture the imagination of experts and they did not waste much time to realize that the game demanded high degree of quick reflexes, agile movement, good nerve reflexes and tremendous stamina, that all amount to a supreme athlete.

The year 1919 saw the game of Kho Kho delimit an elliptical field with 44 yards long midline and 17 yards width of ellipse! The 1923-24 saw the foundation of Inter School Sports Organization and Kho Kho was introduced to promote at the grass roots and consequently popularize the sports. The certainly conveyed the results and the game of Kho Kho mainly owe it to the efforts taken by Deccan Gymkhana and Hind Vijay Gmykhana. To develop expertise and skill in Kho Kho the then prevalent games of Langdi and Atya-Patya were the supporting factor. The latter needs special mention which was well-known because if its scuffle skills of defending.

          Akhil Maharashtra Sharirik Shikshan Mandal (Physical Education Institute) was set up in the year 1928 when Dr. Abasahib Natu of Pune, Shri. Mahabal Guruji of Nasik, Shri. Karmarkar Vaidya of Miraj and Dr. Mirajkar of Mumbai spared no efforts to negotiate with Kho-Kho experts and formulated the rules and regulations of the game which differed just a little from the existing rules of the Federation today. Hind Vijay Gymkhana, Baroda and Deccan Gymkhana, Pune had their own codes of rules which were in variance with each other. The experts from around sixty Gymkhanas, in 1933, came together and evolved a joint code of rules under the banner of Akhil Maharashtra Sharirik Shikshan Mandal which was circulated all over and with a few suggestions and alterations. A "new code" was taken on in 1935.
        Over the years the rules have also undergone a major change. The initial system in 1914 offered 10 points for every opponent getting out and each innings lasted for nine months. It was made to 5 points in 1919 and match lasted for eight minutes. In case the entire team scored out before time, then the chasers were allotted a bonus of 5 points for every spare minute left not played. Further changes took place with the shape of the playing ground as it became rectangular from elliptical. The distance between two poles shortened to 27 yards and the free zone beyond each pole a rectangle 27 yards x 5 yards also known as 'D' zone. The free zone had no barriers for the chaser who could move to any direction irrespective of change of direction. 
            It  was in the year 1957 the “ All India Kho Kho Federation “ was formed. The first All India Kho-Kho Championships were arranged at Vijay Wada in 1959 - 60 under Kho-Kho Federation of India where only 5 teams have participated and this tournament was conducted for men only.  The championship was won by the then Mumbai province under the leadership of Rajabhau Jeste who was a champion player, expert commentator and redoubtable coach made in one. 1960-61 featured Women's Championships for the first time.

         In the year 1963 – 64 for the first time award was introduced for the men and women for the outstanding performance at national level. The name of the award was “Ekalaya” and “Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Award”  it was given at Indore. First award was given to Viswanath Mayekar of Maharastra for men and Usha Ananth Raman of Mysore for women.

          In the year 1970 – 71 the first Junior Championship was conducted at Hyderabad in which Maharastra were the winner and Karnataka were the runner. This tournament is conducted for boys and in the same year awards for outstanding performance was initiated. The name of the award is “Veera Abhimanyu” which was received by “Hemanth Jagdev” of Maharastra. In the same year first time Arjuna Award was awarded to Kho Kho players which were given to Sri Sudir Parab of Gujarat and Ms Achala Donare of Gujarat.

            In 1974 – 75 first Junior girls championship was conducted along with the boys at Indore. In this nationals Janaki award was instituted and it was given to Savitha of Maharastra. In 1977 South Zone Committee was formed and in the same year First South Zone Tournamnet was conducted at the Chitradwiga, Karanataka.In the year of 1980 the First Junior South Zone Championship and National Championship for Sub Junior boys and girls was conducted.
            In the year 1982, the game was included as part of Indian Olympic Association and few years later in 1989 saw the game as a 'demonstration' in 'Asian Games' Festival. Some new reforms in the game have taken place that has been incorporated by the Asian Federation. The poles have been put a little close distance at 23.50 meters and the play ground also increased in the width of 16 meters. The duration of the innings will last to nine minutes. The year 1998 saw the first ever International Championship organized in the Indian city of Kolkata. Sponsors, who come from different fields, have also been associated with the game, and Bank of Maharashtra has developed their first ever team of Professional players when others like Indian Railways are about to follow the suit.