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Members of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 1859 (b / w photo)
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Members of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 1859 (b / w photo)
5923555 Members of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 1859 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (19th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Members of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 1859.
Photograph, India, 1859.
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.
Like their British counterparts, Indian Army regiments took part in competitions against both Indian and British units stationed on the sub-continent. Today, Pakistan and India are both cricket-mad nations.
From an album of 100 photographs, 1858-1859.); eNational Army Museum; out of copyright
Media ID 23664876
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a historic moment in the world of cricket - Members of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 1859. Taken by an unknown photographer in India during the 19th century, this image is now housed at the National Army Museum in London. The British introduced cricket to India in the 18th century, initially limiting Indian involvement to being mere spectators. However, by the late 19th century, cricket had gained immense popularity among both Hindu and Muslim native soldiers who took up the sport with great enthusiasm. For the British colonizers, cricket was seen as part of their mission to civilize and unite. Cecil Headlam, a renowned cricketing historian traveling through India during the Delhi Durbar of 1903, reflected on its significance within imperialism. He stated that while other influences may cause harm or conflicts, cricket brought together rulers and ruled alike while providing moral training and valuable character development for ordinary natives. Indian Army regiments also participated in competitions against both Indian and British units stationed on the sub-continent. Today, Pakistan and India are known as nations deeply passionate about this beloved sport. This photograph is just one piece from an album containing a hundred photographs taken between 1858-1859. It serves as a testament to how cricket became an integral part of colonial history while leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to shape sporting cultures today.
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