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Army cricket team, Calcutta, 1861 (b / w photo)
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Army cricket team, Calcutta, 1861 (b / w photo)
5925013 Army cricket team, Calcutta, 1861 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (19th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Army cricket team, Calcutta, 1861.
Photograph, India, 1861.
The British introduced cricket to India in the 18th century. Initially, Indians were only spectators to contests played between Army and Navy units, but by the late 19th century the game had acquired popular appeal. Both Hindu and Muslim native soldiers took up cricket with enthusiasum. For the British, cricket was part of their colonising mission. The cricketing historian Cecil Headlam, travelling in India during the 1903 Delhi Durbar, reflected on its place in the imperial scheme:
First the hunter, the missionary, and the merchant, next the soldier and the politician, and then the cricketer - that is the history of British colonisation. And of these civilizing influences the last may, perhaps, be said to do least harm. The hunter may exterminate deserving species, the missionary may cause quarrels, the soldier may hector, the politician blunder - but cricket unites, as in India, the rulers and the ruled. It also provides a moral training, an education in pluck, nerve and self-restraint [that is] valuable to the character of the ordinary native.
From an album of 100 photographs, 1858-1859.); eNational Army Museum; out of copyright
Media ID 22568140
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the Army cricket team in Calcutta, India in 1861. The image, taken by an unknown photographer from the 19th century, is now housed at the National Army Museum in London. During this time period, cricket was introduced to India by the British in the 18th century. Initially, Indians were mere spectators to matches played between Army and Navy units. However, as time went on, cricket gained popularity among both Hindu and Muslim native soldiers who took up the sport with great enthusiasm. For the British colonizers, cricket became a part of their mission to civilize and control India. Cecil Headlam, a renowned cricketing historian who traveled through India during the 1903 Delhi Durbar event reflected on its significance within imperial rule. He stated that while hunters may exterminate species and missionaries may cause quarrels, cricket unites both rulers and ruled without causing harm. Furthermore, he believed that it provided moral training for natives by teaching them qualities such as pluckiness, nerve strength, and self-restraint. This particular photograph is one of many captured during this era which showcases not only historical moments but also sheds light on how sports like cricket played a role in shaping colonial relationships between Britain and its colonies.
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