Cricket: A Reflection of Subaltern Studies

   Some of the most dynamic experiences to ever be a part of history is in sports, a category so rich in past cultures that it has altered the course of their respective history. This is profoundly evident within the territories that are and have been politically involved with the British in South Asia, more specifically India. It is the sport of cricket that “can provide valuable insights into the history of modern India, in particular… those of race, caste, and religion” and it is the realm of sports, both its history and its culture, which shows its legacy as a reflection of the field of subaltern history. These reflections are shown in the evolution and formation of cricket on a national scale and the implication of British rule among the racial, class-related, and religious conflicts that arise from the expansion of cricket. 

    To explain cricket as a reflection of subaltern history, it is important to understand the context of term “subaltern”. The term “refers to subordination in terms of class, caste, gender, race, language and culture and was used to signify the centrality of dominant/dominated relationships in history,” which in this case fits the mold of the relationship between British imperial rule and the subordinated South Asian colony.

    One of the early conflicts that arose in the evolution of cricket was a dispute over land; to be able to play on the grounds of Esplanade, an ideal turf for cricket play. It was a racial conflict involving a half a dozen European polo players and hundreds of native Indian cricket players; both groups would petition to higher authorities to play their respective sports. At first, the native cricketers were permitted the Esplanade grounds to play cricket, but the polo players would later get government permission to again play their turf-ruining polo. The conflict resolves when a new governor finally decides on a new spacious ground racially divided for, the Parsi, Hindu and Islam cricketers to play. This issue reflects the evolution of cricket as subaltern history, in a sense that it shows the influence that British rule has among colonial India, in terms of race. As the interest of cricket grew among the South Asian society, along with the sport’s evolution, its place of expansion was ultimately determined and controlled by British government.

   An example of caste-related issues among the evolution of cricket is represented in Palwankar Baloo, a lower ranked member of social, or in this case an “Untouchable”. In cricket, the captain plays a vital role and represents as the head of the team, and issues of caste surface because of the choosing of the captain. In Baloo’s case he is experienced and recognized even by other British cricketers, but is denied captainship because of his social status of Untouchable. It is these types of British implications among the society that reflect subaltern history as a relationship between the dominant and the dominated.
    In conclusion, the evolution of cricket is one that was heavily influenced by the politics of British imperial rule among colonial India and is a legacy that is interwoven with British colonialism. Conflicts of race, class and religion surfaced within the national expansion of cricket and its evolution has been subject to British politics. The racial disputes over grounds to play sports on, and caste issues in the choosing of positions within the sport of cricket, are two examples shown in Guha’s article that reflect the field of subaltern history. The importance of this analysis is that it helps us to remember that there are many reasons as to why things happen the way they do, and unless you read, research, and empathize with your subject you will never learn to truly understand it.

Sources

Ramachandra Guha, “Cricket and Politics in Colonial India,” Past and Present no.161 (November 1998): 157.

Gyan Prakash, “Subaltern Studies as Postcolonial Criticism,” American Historical Review 99/5 (December 1994): 1477.