British Era Madras Boat Club Regatta, Old Print 1909
An old 1909 print of the British-era Madras Boat Club’s regatta. This is a page from a 1909 Times of India supplement. Giving a rare glimpse of sports life in Madras, now Chennai. At the famous Madras Boat Club’s annual regatta in the British era. The boat club is located on the banks of the Adyar River.
Situated adjacent to it is one of the oldest clubs in India the Madras Club. Shown here are some of the rowers in action. Interestingly European spectators seem to be enjoying themselves as shown in the pictures. Rowing teams apparently came from Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi, Rangoon, and so on. Where they had well-established rowing clubs. Although shown here is the Poona team probably giving a tough fight.
Bombay also has the Royal Yacht Club with sailing events that took place in the sea. The British indulged in many other sports and games in addition to regattas. Mostly brought in from England in the 18th and 19th centuries. Like tennis, polo, cricket, football, field sports, and so on. Not to mention trophy hunting and boar hunting if it is considered a game at all. British women were not left far behind either in participation or just being in the audience. Click on the image for better view.
Did you know – badminton was first played by British army officers stationed in Poona in the 1860s.
From the collection – Raja Ravi Varma’s Goddess Laxmi 2 Postcards., Chennai Central Station View From Hospital 1890.
