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Glorious Indian Sporting moments Pre-Independence

On the occasion of India's 75th Independence Day, we pay tribute to some of the glorious Indian Sporting moments pre-independence.

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Debangshu Biswas
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Dhyan Chand had a huge impact in Indian Hockey team pre-independence | SportzPoint

Indian sports history has witnessed some of the greatest moments prior to Independence. Indians have proved their knack in various genres. On the occasion of India's 75th Independence Day, we pay tribute to some of the glorious Indian Sporting moments pre-independence.

Also Read: Oksana Chusovitina and her miraculous Olympics journey

India's Olympic Debut and medal win (1900)

India Sporting moments pre-independence: Norman Pritchard brought the first Olympic medals for India | SportzPoint
Norman Gilbert Pritchard | The Man who started it for India
Image - Olympics

India's debut in Olympic Games came in the year 1900. The 1900 Paris Olympics became memorable in the Indian sport's history. The brilliance of Norman Gilbert Pritchard, a British-Indian athlete presented India as a winner on the global stage.

He showed his athletic abilities in five competitions and added his name to the Olympic medal tally in silver colours. He earned the maiden silver medals in 200m sprint and 200m hurdle events. Pritchard also became the first Asian-born athlete to win Olympic medals for the nation.

Also Read: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Final Medals Table

Great Gama's Fight (1910)

Indian Sporting moments Pre-Independence: Gama was the ultimate winner of the John Bull World Championships | SportzPoint
 Ghulam Mohammad Baksh | The Great Gama
Image - Wikimedia Commons

Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, aka the Great Gama, was a prominent wrestler of the British Indian Empire. The combat stints specialist, Bruce Lee use to follow his exercise routines and considered him as an inspiration.

Gama was the ultimate winner of the John Bull World Championships. He emerged victorious after a long and fierce wrestling bout with Polish wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko. On the other hand, he was also known for his humanity over communism when he saved thousands of people during the attacks in between religious mobs.

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Mohun Bagan's Glory (1911)

Indian Sporting moments Pre-Independence: The Immortal Eleven of the Mohun Bagan club in 1911 | SportzPoint
The Immortal Eleven
Image - Mohun Bagan A.C.

Although cricket has been the most popular sport in India by far, football achievements by India prior to independence was something special. The unforgettable victorious performance by the barefoot Bengali boys of Mohun Bagan in 1911 is one of the greatest moments in Indian sports history.

Surprisingly, these Indian footballers defeated the well-equipped East Yorkshire Regiment team at the breathtaking final match barefoot. They acquired the immortal eleven title when they became the first Indian team to win the IFA Shield Tournament.

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Phadeppa's Marathon (1920)

Indian Sporting moments Pre-Independence: Phadeppa Dareppa Chaugule finished in19th position in the 1920 Olympic Marathon at 2:50:45.2s | SportzPoint
The Indian Marathon Man | Phadeppa Dareppa Chaugule
Image - Olympics

One of the glorious Indian Sporting moments Pre-Independence came when India's Marathon man Phadeppa Dareppa Chaugule finished in19th position in the 1920 Olympic Marathon at 2:50:45.2s. He was a part of the first Indian troop sent for the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. He became the inspiration for every Indian athlete and also became the first Indian ever to compete in the prestigious marathon.

Also Read: Olympics facts: 5 gold medals by Tarzan

Start of Indian Hockey dominance (1928)

Amsterdam 1928: When India won its first Olympic hockey gold medal | SportzPoint
Amsterdam 1928: India won its first Olympic hockey gold medal
Image - Olympics

The rise of Indian hockey saw the emerging of the star Major Dhyan Chand, who will also go down as one of the sporting legends in Indian history. The Indian National Hockey Team attained much prominence for its consecutive gold victories in the Olympic Games of 1928, 1932, and 1936.

The team created history when they continued their winning streak up to 30-0 till 1960. India was also the first Non-European to become a part of the International Hockey Federation.

Also Read: Role of Odisha Government in India’s Hockey development

East Bengal's Emblem (1930)

East Bengal's first logo | SportzPoint
East Bengal's first logo
Image - Wikipedia

Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagrah was at its peak in the mid-90s. Meanwhile, the prominent Calcutta Football League was declared in favour of the Royal Regiment in the first division. Whereas, East Bengal were left out and were not promoted to the rank. As a result, the East Bengal fans and officials went on for a protest march on the East Bengal field with flaming torches.

These torches, known as "Mashals", gave an epic idea to the officials of making it the club's emblem. Even today, this Mashal is still there as the club emblem. It is the remembrance of the historic protest even in lack of democratic rights and constitutions, for fair judgment in sports.

Also Read: East Bengal Club have been handed a Transfer ban yet again

India's debut in Test match cricket (1932)

Indian cricket team in England in 1932 | SportzPoint
Indian Cricket team in England in 1932
Image - Wikipedia

Cricket is one of the most worshipped sports in India. It would be a crime not to regard India's Test debut as one of the glorious Indian sporting moments pre-independence. In 1932 on 25th June India had its first Test match at the Lord's Ground. Moreover, they became the sixth country to attain the Test status. C.K. Naidu led the first Indian Test team. Although they failed to lift the trophy, they left a mark that will further act as an inspiration for the future generation to achieve success in cricket.

Glorious India Sporting moments pre-independence | SportzPoint
Glorious India Sporting moments pre-independence
East Bengal Atk Mohun Bagan Major Dhyan Chand
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