Class 9 Social Science Notes Chapter 7 (History and sport: the story of cricket) – India and the Contemporary World-I Book

Alright class, let's delve into Chapter 7, "History and Sport: The Story of Cricket," from your NCERT Class 9 History textbook. This chapter is interesting because it uses the popular game of cricket to explore broader historical themes like social change, nationalism, colonialism, and commercialization. Pay close attention, as understanding these connections is crucial, not just for your exams but also for comprehending how sports reflect society.

History and Sport: The Story of Cricket - Detailed Notes

1. Introduction: Sport and History

• Sport history helps us understand contemporary society.
• Cricket, originating in England, provides a lens to view social hierarchies, political changes (like colonialism), and economic shifts (like commercialization).

2. The Historical Development of Cricket in England

• Origins:
  • Evolved from various stick-and-ball games played in rural England over centuries.
  • By the 17th century, it was recognizable as a distinct game.
  • Became popular in southern England by the 18th century.
• Codification (Formal Rules):
  • First written 'Laws of Cricket' drawn up in 1744.
  • Key features decided: stumps (2), bail across them, pitch length (22 yards), ball weight (5-6 ounces), umpires' powers.
  • World's first cricket club: Hambledon Club (formed in the 1760s).
  • Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) founded in 1787, became the guardian of cricket laws, based at Lord's ground in London.
• Early Peculiarities:
  • Bat Shape: Initially curved (like a hockey stick); changed to straight bats as bowling evolved (underarm to round-arm, then overarm).
  • Test Match Duration: Could go on for five days and still end in a draw – reflects the slower pace of pre-industrial life. Football matches were much shorter.
  • Pitch Size: Not specified, only length (22 yards). Size and shape of the ground were not fixed (unlike soccer or hockey).
• Cricket and Victorian English Society:
  • Gentlemen vs. Players: Reflected England's class divisions.
    • Gentlemen: Amateurs, played for pleasure, usually wealthy aristocracy or gentry. They were batsmen.
    • Players: Professionals, played for wages, usually working-class individuals. They were often bowlers or fielders.
    • Social distinctions maintained: Separate entrances, changing rooms, captains were usually Gentlemen. The term 'amateur' denoted superior social standing.
  • The 'Amateur Ideal': Cricket was seen as embodying fair play, discipline, and gentlemanly conduct – values the British elite wanted to emphasize.

3. The Spread of Cricket: Imperialism and Sport

• Cricket and the British Empire:
  • The game spread primarily through British colonial networks.
  • Played mainly in colonies settled by white populations (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies) and later adopted by local elites in non-white colonies like India.
  • Cricket was initially used to showcase British superiority and civilizing influence.
• Racial Discrimination:
  • Despite playing cricket, non-white teams often faced prejudice.
  • Example: In the West Indies, initially, only white players (planters and their descendants) could lead the team. The first black captain, Frank Worrell, was appointed only in 1960.

4. The Story of Cricket in India

• Introduction:
  • Brought by British sailors, soldiers, and merchants in the 18th century.
  • First Indian club: Calcutta Cricket Club (1792), established by Europeans.
• The Parsis: Pioneers of Indian Cricket:
  • The Parsis were the first Indian community to embrace cricket.
  • Driven by a desire to integrate with the British rulers and prove their 'modernity'.
  • Founded the Oriental Cricket Club in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1848.
  • Sponsored and supported by Parsi businessmen like the Tatas and Wadias.
• Challenges and Conflicts:
  • Early Parsi teams faced discrimination – difficulties finding grounds, prejudice from British clubs.
  • Parsi Gymkhana vs. Bombay Gymkhana (1889): A landmark match where the Parsi team defeated the European Bombay Gymkhana, boosting Indian confidence.
• Cricket Based on Community and Religion:
  • Other communities followed the Parsis: Hindus and Muslims formed their own clubs.
  • Led to the Quadrangular Tournament: Initially between Europeans and Parsis, later expanded to include Hindus and Muslims.
  • Became the Pentangular Tournament in 1937 with the addition of a team called 'The Rest' (including Indian Christians, Buddhists, etc.).
  • Criticism: Nationalists like Mahatma Gandhi condemned these tournaments for dividing Indians along religious lines when unity was needed for the freedom struggle. The tournament was eventually scrapped after Independence.
• Caste Discrimination:
  • Palwankar Baloo: A brilliant Dalit bowler (early 20th century) who faced significant caste discrimination but eventually gained recognition through sheer talent. He was never made captain despite being the best player, highlighting caste barriers.
• National Identity and Cricket:
  • India entered the world of Test Cricket in 1932, a decade and a half before independence. Captained by C.K. Nayudu.
  • Playing against England was seen as a measure of national equality and capability.

5. Modern Cricket: Commerce, Media, and Globalisation

• Decolonisation and Shift in Power:
  • End of the British Empire led to the decline of English dominance in cricket.
  • Rise of former colonies like the West Indies (dominant in the 1970s-80s), India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia.
• The One-Day International (ODI) Revolution:
  • Popularity of limited-overs cricket grew.
  • First official ODI played in 1971 (England vs. Australia).
  • First World Cup held in 1975 in England.
• Kerry Packer and World Series Cricket (WSC):
  • Australian TV tycoon Kerry Packer launched a rival cricket league (1977-79).
  • Introduced innovations: coloured clothing, protective helmets, field restrictions, day-night matches under floodlights.
  • Significantly increased player payments.
  • Forced official cricket bodies to adopt many of these changes, making cricket more marketable and television-friendly.
• Commercialisation and Media:
  • Television transformed cricket into a spectator sport watched by millions globally.
  • Satellite TV rights became a massive source of revenue.
  • Huge sponsorships for teams, players, and tournaments.
  • Cricket became a major global business.
• Shift in the Centre of Gravity:
  • Imperial Cricket Conference (ICC) renamed International Cricket Council in 1989, reflecting a more global structure.
  • Power shifted away from traditional centres (England, Australia).
  • India, with its massive viewership and market, became the financial powerhouse of world cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) became highly influential globally.
  • ICC headquarters moved from London to Dubai.
• Cricket and Contemporary India:
  • Cricket is arguably India's biggest mass sport, cutting across regional and class divides.
  • Successes (like the 1983 World Cup win) boosted national pride.
  • Players became national icons and celebrities.
  • The Indian Premier League (IPL) further amplified the commercial aspect and global reach.

Conclusion:
The history of cricket mirrors significant historical processes. It began as a rural English pastime, became codified and linked to social status, spread through empire, was adopted and adapted in colonies like India (reflecting both integration and division), and finally transformed into a global, commercialized spectacle heavily influenced by media and technology.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Here are 10 MCQs based on the chapter:

1. When were the first written 'Laws of Cricket' drawn up?
   a) 1688
   b) 1744
   c) 1787
   d) 1848

2. Which club is considered the guardian of cricket's laws and is based at Lord's?
   a) Hambledon Club
   b) Calcutta Cricket Club
   c) Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
   d) Oriental Cricket Club

3. In Victorian England, cricketers who played professionally for wages were known as:
   a) Gentlemen
   b) Amateurs
   c) Players
   d) Elites

4. Which was the first Indian community to establish its own cricket club?
   a) Hindus
   b) Muslims
   c) Parsis
   d) Sikhs

5. The Pentangular cricket tournament in colonial India was criticized by nationalists because:
   a) It excluded European players.
   b) The matches were too long.
   c) It was based on religious communities, dividing Indians.
   d) It did not follow international rules.

6. Who was Palwankar Baloo, mentioned in the context of early Indian cricket?
   a) India's first Test captain
   b) A Parsi businessman who sponsored cricket
   c) A talented Dalit bowler who faced caste discrimination
   d) The founder of the Calcutta Cricket Club

7. India played its first official Test match in which year?
   a) 1889
   b) 1911
   c) 1932
   d) 1947

8. Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket (WSC) is significant for introducing which major change to the game?
   a) Test matches lasting five days
   b) The use of 22-yard pitches
   c) Coloured clothing and day-night matches
   d) Allowing only amateur players

9. Where did the International Cricket Council (ICC) move its headquarters from London?
   a) Mumbai
   b) Melbourne
   c) Dubai
   d) Johannesburg

10. The shift in the global financial centre of cricket towards India is largely attributed to:
    a) India winning the first World Cup.
    b) The influence of the British monarchy.
    c) The large television viewership and market in India.
    d) The early adoption of cricket by the Parsi community.

Answer Key:

1. b) 1744
2. c) Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
3. c) Players
4. c) Parsis
5. c) It was based on religious communities, dividing Indians.
6. c) A talented Dalit bowler who faced caste discrimination
7. c) 1932
8. c) Coloured clothing and day-night matches
9. c) Dubai
10. c) The large television viewership and market in India.

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the timeline and the social context is key to mastering this chapter for your exams. Good luck!