Recruits to the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry wrestling at the Training Battalion, Belgaum, 1937

Photograph, India, 1937.

Wrestling was a favourite pastime of the Mahrathas. In many villages houses were set apart in which men and boys engaged in the sport, and matches, drawing large crowds, took place at annual fairs and during holidays. A man was only deemed to be defeated when he was forced onto his back and his shoulders touched the ground.

From an album of 108 photographs relating to the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, 1937.