Badminton feels like a modern sport. You see bright courts. You also see lightweight rackets. You enjoy fast smashes.
However, the game did not begin this way.
Hundreds of years ago, people were already hitting a shuttle-like object across open spaces. There were no courts. No nets. No rulebooks. Just play.
To understand badminton, you have to travel back in time.
Ancient Games That Came Before Badminton:
Long before the word badminton existed, similar games were played across Asia and Europe.
In ancient China, a game called Ti Jian Zi involved keeping a feathered object in the air using feet and hands.
Although rackets were not used, the idea of controlling a light object was already there.
Meanwhile, in Greece and Asia Minor, children played games where they hit a feathered shuttle back and forth using paddles. These were casual games. Still, the core idea was clear.
- Keep the object airborne.
- Control it.
- Outplay the other person.
That idea never left. It became inherent.
Badminton’s Strong Roots in India:
If any place ever deserves special attention, it is India.
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, a game called Poona was played in India. It was especially popular in Pune, then spelled Poona.
British army officers who lived there noticed the game. They played it in courtyards. On lawns. Sometimes just on open ground.
Back then, there were no fixed boundaries. No standard net height. Even scoring was informal.
Yet the game was competitive. And it was so addictive.
This version of the game looks most like modern badminton.
Where Exactly Was It Played?
Badminton, in its early form, was played in places very different from today’s courts.
It was played in:
- Open courtyards
- Army cantonments
- Gardens and lawns
- Palace grounds
- Village open spaces
People adapted whatever space they had. The surface did not matter much. What mattered was the rally.
In other words, badminton was not born indoors. It became indoor much later.
How England Changed the Game’s Direction?
Eventually, British officers took Poona back to England.
In 1873, the game was played at Badminton House in Gloucestershire. This was the country estate of the Duke of Beaufort.
After that something happened that changed the future of badminton for ever.
- The setting was formal.
- Guests were curious.
- Rules started forming.
Unlike India’s open play, England preferred structure.
- Court sizes were defined.
- Nets were standardized.
- Equipment improved.
As a result, the game slowly transformed from a casual pastime into an organized sport.
A Cruising Journey From Lawns to Halls:
At first, the game was still played outdoors on grass. However, wind became a problem.
The shuttlecock is light. Therefore, even a small breeze changes everything.
Because of this, badminton moved indoors. Wooden floors replaced grass. Walls replaced open skies.
This shift helped the game grow faster and fairer.
Still, its origins remained outdoors.
Badminton Across Other Parts of Asia:
India was not alone. There were other parts of Asia where badminton like game prevailed. Though with different names.
In Japan, a game called Hanetsuki involved hitting a shuttle-like object using wooden paddles. It was often played during festivals.
In Southeast Asia, variations of shuttle games were common. Many focused on control rather than power.
These games were not identical to badminton. Yet they contributed to the idea.
In simple words, we can say that badminton did not appear suddenly.
- It evolved slowly.
- It lived across cultures.
- It prevailed across centuries.
Why This History Matters Today?
You might wonder why any of this matters. After all, the game today is fast. Technical. Professional.
But history explains why badminton feels so natural.
It was never invented in a lab. It grew from people playing for fun.
- That is why kids can pick it up easily.
- That is why it works in parks and streets.
- That is why it still feels social.
The spirit has survived.
A Game That Belongs to the People:
Badminton was played hundreds of years ago by:
- Children
- Soldiers
- Villagers
- Royal guests
Not professionals. Literally, it belonged to everyone.
Even today, when two friends rally casually, they are closer to the original game than they realize.
Final Thought:
Let me conclude it with conviction, badminton was not born on a marked court.
It was played on soil. On grass. In courtyards. Under open skies.
India gave it form. England gave it structure. The world gave it life.
That journey is what makes badminton special. Play it. Enjoy it. Know it well. Stay with me.