This book looks broadly at the evolution of sport and play in India and South Asia, those that enjoy mass popularity as well as those that are marginal, situating them in the region's history, society and economy. It is a valuable addition to the study of sports in South Asia, which remains underdeveloped, with a significant bias towards cricket. Avoiding personality-based narratives, focusing only on successful sportspersons, this volume looks at the different sports played and watched in South Asia: from popular ones such as hockey, football, and badminton, to more local ones such as boat racing in Kerala.

The book looks at the different sports played and watched in South Asia and situates them in the region's history, society and economy. The activities covered span sports like cricket, which enjoys a religion-like status in South Asia, to more obscure ones such as boat racing in Kerala.