Old Photo – Game Of Tennis British India 1885
This is an old photo of a game of tennis in the British era of 1885. Games were a relaxation for the white man’s hectic life in colonial times. A game of tennis in progress by Britisher players interrupted by a photoshoot break. Tennis became popular in Britain in the 1870s and brought to India by the army and civilian officers a few years later in colonial times.
The sport soon started gaining popularity in the British colonial establishments throughout the country. Civilian clubs and army messes were to popularize it more, see this photograph of one such club. So much so that many tournaments started being held increasingly. Likewise, the Britishers imported many other sports into colonial India such as- cricket, football, horseracing, and so on.
The photograph shows Englishmen watching a doubles match in progress Indian attendants are also visible in the photo. See the huge screen on the left that was to block straying balls.
Did you know- that chess originated in India from ancient times, the same is with badminton that originated in Pune first played by two English soldiers in 1873.
From the collection- Vintage Postcard Raja Ravi Varma’s Portrait., 1974 Photograph Kerala Cargo Boat On The Backwaters., Antique Print Bombay War Charity WW1., Vintage Postcard Backwaters of Cochin 1920., Vintage Book 1913 – The Peoples
