This photograph captures a game of Kabaddi (or kabadhī) being played in Delhi in the 1930s, offering a rare glimpse into the leisure and sporting practices of the time. The Gazetteer of Delhi from the 1880s highlights Kabaddi and hockey (referred to as gend khuli at the time) as the two most popular outdoor games in the Delhi District. In contrast, cricket—now widely considered an "Indian" sport—was less prominent in this period. The first mention of cricket in Delhi appears in connection with St. Stephen’s Mission High School for Boys, which opened near Chandni Chowk in the 1860s. Operated by the SPG Mission, the school featured a 'cricket and athletic department,' designed to promote European-style games and physical activities.
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