INDIAN NATIONALISM
AND THE WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
OF 1910 AND 1928
by Joseph Alter
The purpose of this article is to understand the relationship between Indian wrestling and Indian nationalism during the first quarter of the 20 century. The world wrestling championships of 1910 and 1928 are interpreted within the context of growing nationalist sentiments in North India during this era. Information collected on modern Indian wrestling during a year of field research in Banaras is used to shed light on the relationship between nationalism and the body politics of wrestling. I will argue that wrestling tournaments were a form of dramatic protest against imperial power and colonial authority
← Previous Article