The bright arenas of Pro Kabaddi are a recent invention. The sport itself is very old, and it grew up in village grounds and wrestling pits across India. This is the story of those roots.
An ancient game
Kabaddi has been played in India for centuries. Stories connect it to the Mahabharata, including the tale of Abhimanyu trapped inside a formation of enemy warriors. Whether or not the legend explains the sport’s origins, it shows how deeply the idea of the raid is rooted in the culture.
Many names, many styles
Different regions had their own versions. In Tamil Nadu, it was called chedugudu. In Bengal, it was hadudu. In Maharashtra, hututu. In Punjab, a circle style of kabaddi developed with its own rules. Each version had its own flavour, but all shared the core idea of a raider crossing into enemy territory and returning.
The village ground
Kabaddi needs no equipment. A patch of ground, a line drawn in the dust and a few players are enough. This made it popular in villages across the country, played at festivals and on summer evenings.
The wrestling connection
The sport is closely linked with the culture of the akhada, the traditional training ground where wrestlers practise. Many wrestlers also played kabaddi, because the two sports train similar skills. Strength, balance, quick reflexes and a good grip are useful in both.
In many parts of north India, a village’s akhada and its kabaddi ground were part of the same community life. Young men trained together and competed in local tournaments.
Becoming a national sport
In the twentieth century, the game started to be organised. National federations created common rules, and tournaments brought teams from different regions together. In 1990, kabaddi was included in the Asian Games, and India’s teams quickly became dominant.
The modern league
Pro Kabaddi League launched in 2014, bringing television coverage and franchise teams. It took the traditions of the village ground to a national audience. The league also introduced mats, professional coaches and fitness regimes.
Keeping the roots
Even in the era of arenas and big broadcasts, the sport carries its history with it. Many professional players still come from rural backgrounds, and they bring the toughness and skills they learned in village grounds.
When you watch a modern match, remember that every dubki and every ankle hold has a long story behind it.