Asian Modernity: Cricket in Princely States – Case Example of Dhruve Pandove Cricket Stadium cum Gymkhana Club Patiala, Punjab

The paper bringing about the certain changes, which were implies in Asian countries during the 18th century, when most part of these countries comes under British impact. Considering India only, the changes were not focusing only on the architectural style, but it was the entire process to structure the society in a better way. Britishers, by nature were very fond of recreation, entertainment, luxury in their life. Sports was one of the medium of their entertainment through which they interact among high societies. When cricket was introduced in India by Britishers, it was become most popular game among all the states. Maharajas of princely states were always try to copy the British life style, so they adopted cricket also with full obsession. Maharajas of Patiala, princely state Punjab along with their royal families, were in passionate lead to support Cricket as major sport (Majumdar, B. 2008). They had taken cricket to utmost priority and formed their own cricket grounds in Chail and Patiala. Maharaja Rajinder Singh, constructed a cricket ground and pavilion in 1890 in Patiala named as ‘Dhruve Pandove Stadium’ from where he initiated the cricket patronage (Sarkar, A. 2016). The pavilion is constructed in colonial style, which has given India a number of leading crickets, is still intact in good and working condition.