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University of SarajevoFaculty of PhilosophyEnglish Department
Contemporary English II
Portfolio Topics:
1. Pitcairn Islands; the UK Overseas Territory2. Sir Robert Walpole and the beginnings of Britain's Premiership3. The town of Hallstatt, Austria4. Traditional games of India
Mentors: Student: Selma Đuliman Vedrana VujicaMichael Mehen
Table of Contents
1. Pitcarin Islands; the UK Overseas Territory...........................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................4
1.2 Pitcairn Islands.......................................................................................................................................5
1.3 A Short history of the Pitcairn Island......................................................................................................5
1.4 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................7
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................................8
2. Sir Robert Walpole and the beginnings of Britain's Premiership............................................................9
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................10
2.2 Early political career of Sir Robert Walpole............................................................................................10
2.3 Political envolvement of Sir Robert Walpole during the reigns of George I and George II.....................11
2.4 Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................12
Glossary........................................................................................................................................................14
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................................15
3. The town of Hallstatt, Austria...................................................................................................................16
3.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................17
3.2 Early history of Hallstatt..........................................................................................................................17
3.3 Cultural and historical sites of Hallstatt...................................................................................................18
3.4 Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................19
Glossary........................................................................................................................................................20
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................................21
4. Traditional games of India.......................................................................................................................22
4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................23
4.2 Gilli Danda..............................................................................................................................................23
4.3 Yubee – Lakpee (Snatching the Coconut)..............................................................................................24
4.4 Pachisi....................................................................................................................................................24
4.5 Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................25
Bibliography.................................................................................................................................................26
2
PITCAIRN ISLANDS; THE UK OVERSEAS TERRITORY
Introduction
Pitcairn Islands
A short history of the Pitcairn Island
Conclusion
1.1 Introduction
The United Kingdom has fourteen overseas territories, which were formerly the colonies of the British
Empire, mostly Islands, which are scattered all over the globe:
3
Anguilla, Montserrat, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands, in the
Carribean;
Bermuda Islands, in the North Atlantic Ocean;
The territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Falkland Islands, South Georgia
and South Sandwich Islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean;
British Indian Ocean Territory (a group of 55 islands) south of India;
Pitcairn Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean, about mid-way between Peru and New Zealand;
UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Eastern Mediterranean, on the southwest
coast of Cyprus;
Gibraltar, in southwestern Europe;
British Antarctic Territory, in Antarctica.
All of these remaining territories are still under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, either because they
do not fulfill essential requirements for independency, or the majority of the population of each territory
has voted to remain a part of the UK, the latter being the main reason.
Most of the territories are tiny areas with a very low population levels and they depend on the United
Kingdom when it comes to defense and financial support, which is the UK's primary responsibility
towards her Overseas Territories, as well as to ensure a good government system in each of the
teritories.
1.2 Pitcairn Islands
The Pictairn Islands are the smallest UK Overseas Territory and the least populated jurisdiction in the
world;1 yet, they have the most interesting history to tell, starting from the first English settlers and their
struggle to survive on an isolated island up to the point in time when first contacts with the outside world
1 http://sites.google.com/site/worldfactsinc/british-overseas-territories
4
were made and a permanent community developed, whose descendants live on the Pitcarn Island even
until this day, which is apparent in the surnames of some of the very few families on the island; Christian,
Warren, Young and Brown.1
Today, the name Pictairn refers to a group of four volcanic islands: Ducie, Oeno, Henderson and Pitcairn,
the latter being the only inhabited by humans.
1.3 A short history of the Pitcarin Island
“...we discovered land to the northward of us.Upon approaching it the next day (Friday, 3rd July),it appeared like a great rock rising from the sea...and it having been discovered by a young gentleman,son of Major Pitcairn of the Marines, we called itPitcairn's Island.“ 2
The above is the report of Philip Carteret, a Captain of H.M.S. Swallow, and describes the first sighting of
the island in the year 17673. The ship couldn't land on the island because the sea waves were too strong,
so they continued their journey without exploring further.
Captain James Cook seemed the only interested in Carteret's report on their new discovery, and, a few
years later he set on a journey to search for the island, but Carteret, not having an accurate chronometer,
had calculated longitude and latitude incorectly and, according to some sources, this was the main
reason why Captain Cook's mission to locate and visit the island - failed.
The island's story actually begins with the famous Bounty mutineers – Fletcher Christian, Second
Lieutenant of the Bounty, and some of the crew of the ship who, under Fletcher Christian's leadership,
mutinised and cast from the ship Captain Bligh and his followers who drifted away in a wooden boat.
In the year 17904 the mutineers, together with some Polynesian men and women who came along with
them, found Pitcairn Island and settled there because they knew the British navy would soon start
searching for them. They burned and sank the Bounty (whose remains are still visible under the sea in
Bounty Bay),5 to hide the trace of their existence.
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcairn_Islands2 http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/pitcairn/history.shtml3 Ibid.4 http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/pitcairn/history.shtml5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcairn_Islands
5
For the first few years on the Island, the mutineers did not get along very well; there was a lot of
drunkeness on the island, men began fighting each other over women and this eventually resulted in
murders, leaving John Adams the only male survivor, who became leader of the community, he took care
of women and children and introduced Christianity on the island.
Establishing a stable community on the island and creating good life conditions was not easy, especially
because, after the islanders were eventually discovered by the passing by ships, there were many men
from abroad who acted as leaders and imposed dictatorship on the island. Out of this reason, the
Pitcairn got its First Constitution in the year 18381 - a Magistrate was to be elected anually, as a result of
the majority of votes, and it could only be native born. The Constitution was signed onboard HMS Fly,
with the help of Captain Elliott and so Pitcairn became the first British Colony in the Pacific, and remains
so untill today.2
Throughout this time the islanders were devoted Christians and the only literature they read was the
Bible. However, when a collection of Seventh Day Adventist literature was sent from the US in 1876, 3
they read it entusiastically and obviously liked what they read because, ten years later they converted to
the Seventh Day Adventist religion and allowed Mr John Tay, a missionary of the Seventh Day Adventist
Church, to stay on the island to preach the new religion.
By the 20th century, the life on the island had evolved into a small, but stable and long lasting society;
grammar and history had been introduced in school, they began a newspaper and a kindergarten and a
public park was open.4 The system of Government had been reorganised as well and first Parliament
(with seven elected members) had been introduced. The legal system became more firmly established,
creating penalties for adultery, wife beating and other forms of cruelty.
1.4 Conclusion
Inspite of the intensive growth of population in earlier times, (which made Pitcairners to emigrate first to
Tahiti and later to Norfolk Island, between 1830s and 1860s), today, there is no more than 50 residents
on the island; the primary reason being that most of the children leave the island upon finishing primary
school and very few of them come back after finishing highschool and college.
Although the island itself is somewhat isolated geopraphically and difficult to access by modern-day
transportation (the island does not have a port nor it is possible to get there by plane), the small
community still lives there and leads pretty much the same way of life that their ancestors had thought
them; women growing delicious island fruits ( especially pineapples which they use to prepare many of
their traditional deserts), and vegetables; as well as making beautifully decorated bags and baskets,
1 http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/pitcairn/history.shtml2 http://www.travellerspoint.com/guide/Pitcairn_Islands/3 http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/pitcairn/history.shtml4 Ibid.
6
whereas men busy themselves by making beautiful wood-carvings such as vases, fishes and small
wooden ships that imitate the original Bounty. All of these they sell to visitors who come on the island by
ship from Tahiti and then transfer on Pitcairn land by a small yacht or a boat.
Bibliography
http://www.puc.edu/ - The history of Pitcairn Island
http://www.travellerspoint.com – Pitcairn Islands
http://www.worldfactsinc.com – British Overseas Territories
http://www.wikipedia.org – Pitcairn Islands
Word count: 1,117 words
7
SIR ROBERT WALPOLE AND THE BEGINNINGS OF BRITAIN’S PREMIERSHIP
Introduction
Early political career of Sir Robert Walpole
Political envolvement of Sir Robert Walpole during the reigns of George I George II
Conclusion
8
2.1 Introduction
The position of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom evolved throughout the course of the past three
hundred years or more, as a result of the constitutional changes that occured during the Revolutionary
Settlement of 1688 – 1720,1 which brought about the gradual shift of political power from Sovereign to
Parliament and provided the basis for the evolution of the office of Prime Minister, which officially did not
exist at that time.
Sir Robert Walpole was not the Prime Minister in modern sense, specifically because the King, not
Parliament chose him, and the King, not Walpole, chose the Cabinet members. Nevertheless, he is
widely regarded as Britain's first Prime Minister because most ot his responsibilities and duties within
the government and politics of those times largely resemble the basic responsibilities of the modern
office of Prime Minister today.
2.2 Early political career of Sir Robert Walpole
Walpole was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, between 1690 and 1696. 2 After his
father died, he inherited his family estate which gave him financial posibility to enter politics. His political 1 http://www.answers.com/topic/prime-minister-of-the-united-kingdom#Cabinet2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walpole
9
career began in the year 1701 when he became Parliament Member, at the age of 25, as a member of
the Whig political party and representative of the Castle Rising Constituency, which was a parliamentary
borough in Norfolk.1 Walpole proved himself to be an excellent speaker and this helped him to gain
confidence and popularity within the party. He was soon made a member of the Admiralty Board,
Secretary of War and, in 1709, Treasurer of the Navy.2
Three years later, Walpole was accused of bribery by the ruling Tories; he was found guilty and spent
six months in prison in the Tower of London. However, when the Whigs regained power, he came back
to politics and took the position of the First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. Later
on, there were disagreements between the party members, splitting the Whigs in the Parliament, which
led Walpole to resign in 1717. Three years later, he returned to the government as Paymaster General.
2.3 Political envolvement of Sir Robert Walpole during the reigns of George I and George II
When Queen Anne, the last of the Stuarts, died in 1714, the Whigs invited to the throne George of
Hanover, whose wife was descendant of Charles I. The new King didn't want to learn English, nor his
chosen ministers were interested in learning German. This lack of communication between the
Hanoverian King and his English ministers suited both sides – George I wasn't really interested in his
new kingdom anyway (he preferred Hanover where he was absolute monarch), and his ministers were
quite happy to govern on their own. It has often been said that, since Hanoverian times, the
“King/Queen reigns, but does not rule,”3 because the power of the Monarch now largely depended on
Parliament.
A few years after accession to the English throne, King George and his ministers faced with a great
economic crisis, known as the South Sea Bubble. The South Sea Company had acquired monopoly
trading with goods and slaves in South America. It was widely believed that the company would
eventually acquire an enormous profits and thousands of people of England invested everything what
they had in this company, hoping that they would earn great amounts of money “over night.” However,
the company began to collapse as the prices of its shares fell rapidly. Many investors lost everything
what they had, and England had already had to deal with the national dept. By this time, the Cabinet
System had already been formed, and Walpole, as well as his brother-in-law, had become Chief
Ministers.
1 ibid2 http://www.number10.gov.uk/history-and-tour/prime-ministers-in-history/sir-robert-walpole3 Wild-Bićanić Sonia, Crawford Iain, A Social and Cultural History of Britain 1688-1981, Zagreb;SNL,1982, 19
10
Someone competent was needed, and Walpole, with his “good sense for business” was able to solve
the “South Sea Bubble” crisis. He confiscated the estates of the directors of the mentioned company
and used them to relieve the ruined investors; the stock of the company was divided between the Bank
of England and Eas India Company to cover the loss.1 With these measures he was able to bring back
public confidence in the government and in the King himself, for which he was rewarded the positions of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Lord of the Treasury, in 1721 –the year which is usually
taken as the beginning of Walpole’s Premiership.2
When George II acceeded to the throne in 1727, he retained Walpole on the position on the advice of
his wife, Queen Caroline who over time became Walpole’s close friend and supporter.
During the entire reign of George II Walpole efficiently used his diplomacy to prevent England to enter in military conflicts over trade and territories with the rival countries; this produced a series of Acts
including Treaty of Vienna creating the Anglo-Austrian alliance, which was a crucial step to weaken the
monopoly of France and Spain.
Athough the policy of avoiding war was successful at the beginning and Walpole enjoyed the support of
the majority of the Commons, and even the King himself, not everyone was pleased with his “way of
doing things” and soon he acquired many enemies, those from political world, including Lord Bolinbroke
who had been his enemy since the time of Queen Anne, and William Pulteney, a Whig statesman who
felt offended when Walpole refused to include him in the Cabinet, as well as some of the most important
literary artists (who favoured Tories over Whigs) of the 18 th century: Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope,
Henry Fielding, and Samuel Johnson, who ridiculed him and attacked his government in their works on
numerous occations, especially when he persuaded Parliament to pass the Licencing Act in 1737 3
which prevented any play to be staged without the approval of the Lord Chamberlain.
When disputes with Spain arose over trade with the West Indies, Walpole attempted to avoid war but
this time he was opposed not only by the Commons but by his own Cabinet ministers and even the King
himself. Walpole’s political career began to decline after general elections of 17414 because the
Constituencies that gained the majority of votes brought back Parliament Members who were hostile to
Walpole. The newly formed Parliament decided that the Minister was too old and incapable of leading
the military campaign during the war with Spain, which led Walpole to resign from his position, after
which the King agreed to elevate him to the House of Lords as the Earl of Orford, on 6th february 1742.5
2.4 Conclusion
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walpole2 http://www.number10.gov.uk/history-and-tour/prime-ministers-in-history/sir-robert-walpole
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walpole4 Ibid.5 Ibid.
11
Although it would take several more decades for the British Premiership to develop into the most powerful
and the most important office in the country (mostly because Walpole’s immediate successors were not
as efficient and influential like Walpole himself), Walpole is still regarded as the very first Prime Minister
of Great Britain. Under his influence, the Parliament developed into a powerful institution that was able to
control the Crown and its financial income. His strategy of maintaining peace with the rival countries and
at the same time raising taxes on luxury goods such as tea, coffe and chocolate, which were consumed
by the rich, contributed to the country’s prosperity, because it helped raise government’s income, as well
as reducing the national dept. Perhaps the most significant of Walpole’s legacies is his willful resignation
from the position of the Lord of the Treasury. His act set up an example for the future Prime Ministers –
that any minister who deeply disagrees with other members of the Cabinet was expected to resign, and
that all ministers were equally responsible for the policy decisions. Walpole was also the first to live and
work in 10 Downing Street, and still holds the record for the longest term of any of the prime ministers in
history – over 20 years of service.
12
Glossary
Revolutionary Settlement (1688-1720): Name commonly given to series of Bills produced after King
William of Orange and Queen Mary II were offered the throne by Parliament, after King James II fled the
country in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Bills include: the Bill of Rights (1689), the Mutiny Bill
(1689), the Triennial Bill (1694), the Treason Act (1696), and the Act of Settlement (1701). These acts
transformed the British Constitution because they reduced the power of the Monarch and increased the
power of the Parliament.1
10 Downing Street: The residence of the British Prime Minister known in the UK as “Number 10.” It was
built in 1732 as a gift to Sir Robert Walpole, who accepted it on the condidition that it remains the official
residence of the Lord of the Treasury, and not his personal property. Thus it became official residence
and home to the future Prime Ministers of the UK.
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom
13
Bibliography
Wild-Bićanić Sonia, Crawford Iain, A Social and Cultural History of Britain 1688 – 1981 (Zagreb; SNL, 1982)
http://www.answers.com – Prime Ministers of Great Britain
http://www.number10.gov.uk – Sir Robert Walpole
http://www.wikipedia.org – Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom
http://www.wikipedia.org – Sir Robert Walpole
Word count: 1174 words
14
THE TOWN OF HALLSTATT, AUSTRIA
Introduction
Early history of Hallstatt
Cultural and historical sites of Hallstatt
Conclusion
15
3.1 Introduction
Hallstatt is a beautiful small town in Austrian Salzkammergut, southwest of Salzburg. It lies on the steep
shore of the Lake Hallstatt, with its tiny houses constructed in such a magnificent way that they seem
“attached” to the huge mountain rocks rising above the lake. This skillful architectural approach was
necessary due to the natural lack of the land at the lakeshore.
It is considered to be the oldest inhabited town in Europe and is best known as the site of the world’s
oldest salt-mine which has been actively exploited since the Neolithic period.
3.2 Early history of Hallstatt
There is evidence that the area of present day Hallstatt has been inhabited by humans as early as the
Neolithic age. It is difficult to determine when exactly the salt was discovered in this area, but the Stone
Axes found in the region, which date from around 5000 BC1 indicate of the existence of human
settlement around this period, as well as salt-mining activity.
In the Early Iron Age, the area was a home of the ancient Celts, and it is from here that the Celtic culture
spread further to the western Europe; including Great Britain, Ireland, western Iberian Peninsula, etc.
Most of what is known of this period of settlement comes from the excavations which were started in
18462 by Johann Georg Ramsauer, an Austrian mine operator, who discovered a large prehistoric
cemetery in this area which was afterwards continuously excavated until more than 2000 burials were
revealed. The burials contained urns of cremated humans as well as buried skelletons toghether with all
kinds of weaponry, armour, jewellery, pottery and other artifacts decorated in an early Celtic style.
Because of these great excavations, the area of present day Hallstatt was designated a United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.3 Because of the
cultural and historical significance of these excavations, the Early Iron Age period in Europe is today
commonly reffered to as Hallstatt Culture, which was preceeded by the later La Tene Culture.
1 http://www.hallstatt.net/publisher/articleview/action/view/frmArticleID/60/2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallstatt_culture3 http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/cultural-history-of-ireland/hallstatt-celtic-culture.htm
16
3.3 Cultural and historical sites of Hallstatt
The most interesting attraction of the town is Beinhaus or the Bone House, containing over 1200 “nicely
decorated” human sculls. The Beinhaus dates back to 12 th century and it is located on the ground floor
of St. Michael’s Chappel.1 Since a small Catholic Parish Church was built directly in front of the steep
hillside there was very little room left for the cemetery and this is the reason why it was necessary to
form a Bone House.
To make enough room at the cemetery, the graves would be open (usually after 10 or 15 years) and
human sculls would be removed , after which they would be exposed to the sun and moon light for a few
weeks until they were properly bleached. Now, One must wonder what they do with the rest of the
skelleton. I have no answer to that question. After the sculls spend some nice time outside they are then
taken inside; they get their respective names and surnames written on their foreheads, as well as the
dates of birth and death; after which they are ready to join the rest of the sculls exposed there for the
visitors.
The last scull added to this interesting collection is that of a woman who died in 1983 2. According to
some sources, it was her wish to be there. Her wish was finally fulfilled twelve years after she died (she
was required to spend some time in the grave first).
Beinhaus is open to visitors. Many of them find it terrible and shocking wheareas others see it simply as
interesting.
Other, less bizzare but equally interesting sites to visit are: World Heritage Museum which offers
information to visitors on Hallstatt history since prehistoric to modern times, as well as numerous original
finds from the famous excavations of the 2ond half of the 19 th century.
Those who do not suffer of acrophobia and claustrophobia can dare to take an adventurous ride up on
the mountain which leads to the tunnel mouth of the world’s oldest salt-mine. The ride then continues all
the way down through the numerous tunnels until you reach the deepest, central point, the heart of the
mine, with the direct view on the subterranean salt-lake, which has been exploited since prehistoric
times.
3.4 Conclusion
1 http://www.hallstatt.net/publisher/articleview/action/view/frmArticleID/18/2 http://atlasobscura.com/place/hallstatt-charnel-house
17
Hallstatt is a unique combination of well preserved nature, rich history, and a unique culture. It is one of
the rare smaller settlements or towns that represent such popular tourist attraction for people all around
Europe. It is equally attractive tourist destination for those “romantic” couples who wish to spend some
time surrounded by the pure nature and relaxing in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the town, or
for those who are excentric and courious enough to visit Beinhouse – the final residence of the people
of Hallstatt, or take an adventurous ride into the depts of the world’s oldest salt-mine. There’s a little bit
for everyone
Glossary
Acrophobia: A medical condition in which a person has an extreme or irrational fear of heights
18
Claustrophobia: A medical condition in which a person has an extreme fear of enclosed rooms and/or too
crowded places.
Bibliography
http://atlasobscura.com – Hallstatt Charnel House
http://www.hallstatt.net - Short History of Hallstatt
http://www.hallstatt.org – Hallstatt Culture
19
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com – Celtic Hallstatt Culture
Word count: 876 words
TRADITIONAL GAMES OF INDIA Introduction
20
Gilli Danda
Yubee-Lakpee (Snatching the Coconut)
Pachisi
Conclusion
4.1 Introduction
Sports and games (besides yoga and meditation) have always played an important role in the lifes of
people of India. The history of games can be traced back to Vedic era or maybe even further, during the
period of Indus Valley Civilisation which flourished on the grounds of present day India between 3250
BC and 2750 BC).1 According to various archaeological excavations, the people of this period were very
much into board games such as playing with a dice, and gambling for women.
During the Later Vedic Period ( 1000 BC – 600BC) when Hinduism flourished, physical perfection
played an important role, and people of this period were engaged into all kinds of physical activities and
sports such as wrestling, archery, chariot – racing etc.
1 http://www.indianmirror.com/games/gam1.html
21
Many of today's modern indoor games such as chess and playing cards, for example, are believed to
have originated in ancient India.
Today, Cricket is the most popular sport in India, but besides Cricket, there are various traditional
games which have been a part of Indian culture for centuries. Some of the most popular and the most
interesting Indian traditional games are: Gilli – Danda, Yubee – Lakpee, and Pachisi, but there are also
many other traditional games played in various parts of India.
4.2 Gilli Danda
Gilli – Danda is a very popular game among the children and youth of India and is played all over the
country. It is a game very much simmilar to modern day Cricket but differs from it in the use of two
wooden sticks instead of bats and balls. These two wooden sticks are a Gilli and a Danda.
The game is played between the two teams. A wooden stick, Danda, is about two feet long and is used
to hit the gilli, which is about three inches long and is placed in the centre of a drawn circle. The player
needs to flick the gilli in the air and hit it as far as possible. The opposing team will try to catch the gilli
and if it does, the hitter is out; if the gilli falls on the ground then the distance between the gilli and the
drawn circle is measured by danda (each length of danda brings one score to the team of the hitter).
The game continues until all of the players have had their turn at striking. The team with the higher
score wins.
4.3 Yubee – Lakpee (Snatching the Coconut)
Yubee – Lakpee is a popular outdoor game in Manipur and is played only by men. 1 It is simmilar to
modern game rugby and requires physical strength and competitive attitude. “Yubee” in Manipuri means
coconut, and “lakpee” means snatching.2
The game is played by two teams of seven players and the game starts when a greased coconut is
thrown into field. The players, although it’s a team game, play individually and each try hard to catch the
greased coconut and hold on to it, and this is where the physical strength, competitiveness, and even
wrestling abilities come into play, because other players will try hard to take away the coconut and
hitting the coconut is not allowed. The players need to be greased as well and wear a waist belt.3
1 http://www.indianetzone.com/13/yubee_-_lakpee.htm2 http://indiapress.org/sports/yubee_lakpee_archery.php3 http://www.indianetzone.com/13/yubee_-_lakpee.htm
22
The player needs to reach the goal line of the opposite team only from the front, not from the sides, and
if he succeeds, he then needs to hand in the coconut to the “King”, which counts as a goal of the team
and brings one score. The team with higher score wins.
4.4 Pachisi
Pachisi is the most popular and one of the oldest traditional board games in India. The name of the
game comes from the Hindu word “pachi” which means “twenty – five”, which is the largest score that
can be thrown by cowrie shells, thus the game is also sometimes called “Twenty Five”. 1 The game is
also popular in the Western world where its different versions are known as Parcheesi and Ludo.2
The rules of the game are not fixed and may vary according to the region in which the game is played.
The game is played on a board in a shape of a symmetrical cross and each of the four sides of the
cross or an “X shape” are further divided into three columns of eight squares. The central place of the
“cross” where all four sides are conjoined is called “Char Koni”. Each side of the cross has three orange
coloured squares called “castles”.
Four players are divided into two teams. Each player has four beehive-shaped pieces, and one team
plays with black and yellow pieces and the other with red and green ones. The players move these
pieces around the board counter – clockwise, but each player first needs to throw six cowrie shells to
determine the number of places to move on board. If the the total number is 10, 25 or 6 then the player
gets “grace” or one extra throw. The pieces of the players that belong to the same team can stand in the
same square, but if the player is from the opposite team, and the player who is currently playing stops
its piece in the same square, then the player from the opposite team must go back to the beginning.
However, if the player has its piece positioned on a “castle” square, then the opposing player cannot
“crush him down”, that is, that player doesn’t have to go back to the beginning. The team whose pieces
finish first, that is, reach Char Koni centre, is the winner.
There is an interesting historical account related to this game, which dates back to the period of Moghul
Empire which was established in India in the first half of the 16 th century. The Indian Emperor Akbar
seems to have been very interested in this game which was then called “Chaupar”. He would sit in the
centre of a great court constructed of inlaid marble and throw the cowrie shells. There were red and
white squares around him, and 16 beautiful women (appropriately coloured) would “move on the board”
according to his directions.3 Obviously, women were nothing but the moving figures to this guy.
The remains of these “boards” can still be seen today in the cities of Agra and Allahabad (now called
Dari), in the state of Uttar Pradesh.4
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachisi2 Ibid.3 http://www.scribd.com/doc/18753407/Pachisi-History-Rules4 Ibid.
23
Simmilar board games are also mentioned in Mahabharata, which is one of the two major Sanskrit epics
of ancient India, which leads us to the conclusion that this worldwide popular board game actually
originated in India.
4.5 Conclusion
The development of mind and body through meditation and all sorts of sports and physical activities has
always played an important role in the lives of people of Inda, thus, it is no wonder that today, Indians
are one of the leading sports participants in the international tournaments such as Olympics,
Commonwealth Games, Wimbledon and many other world sports tournaments. Many of today’s
Olympic disciplines which involve strength and speed are modernised versions of the games which
once flourshed in Greece and ancient India.
Bibliography
http://indiapress.org – Sports in India
http://wikipedia.org – Pachisi
http://www.indianetzone.com – Yubee – Lakpee
http://www.indianmirror.com – History of Sports
http://www.scribd.com – Games from Everywhere
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