https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Thoda_%28archery%29Thoda (archery) - Revision history2026-10-31T13:52:18ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thoda_(archery)&diff=416905&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Creating a new article2023-08-21T18:02:57Z<p>Creating a new article</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian form of archery}}<br />
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'''Thoda''' is an Indian form of [[archery]] found in [[Himachal Pradesh]], with elements of dance and music included.<ref>[https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70664/5-lesser-known-forms-of-martial-arts-in-india While Kerala’s kalaripayattu and North India’s traditional kushti are a done and dusted deal, here are some unexplored gems to get you started on some uppercuts and roundabouts] https://www.outlookindia.com/</ref> It is generally performed during various local festivals alongside other [[Traditional Indian games|traditional games]],<ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/himachal-cm-declares-thoda-dance-as-rural-game-115091300659_1.html Himachal CM declares Thoda dance as rural game] https://www.business-standard.com/</ref> and may be a symbolic representation of the war described in the [[Mahabharata]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=2019-11-28 |title=120-year-old traditional sport still played in Himachal |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/120-year-old-traditional-sport-still-played-in-himachal |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.boldsky.com/art-culture/the-six-prominent-and-ancient-martial-art-forms-of-india-144685.html The Six Prominent And Ancient Martial Art Forms Of India] https://www.boldsky.com/ Pundreeka Valli</ref> The aim of Thoda is for two opposing teams to shoot arrows at the legs of the other team (which are wrapped in thick cloth); Thoda competitions take place in Himachal Pradesh annually.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2022-05-15 |title=Himachal Pradesh: 34 years on, martial art tournament makes comeback at state-level |url=https://theprint.in/india/himachal-pradesh-34-years-on-martial-art-tournament-makes-comeback-at-state-level/957289/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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== Etymology ==<br />
The name ''Thoda'' refers to the round block of wood that is fixed ahead of the arrow to blunt it.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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== Rules ==<br />
The two teams comprise 500 participants each, most of whom are dancers. The teams stand 10 metres apart, and attempt to shoot each other below the knee. Points are deducted for shooting an opponent above the knee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kazi |first=Saad |date=2018-07-26 |title=7 Tempting Traditional Sports played in India |url=https://www.kreedon.com/tempting-sports-india/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Voice of Indian Sports - KreedOn |language=en-GB}}</ref><br />
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== See also ==<br />
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* [[Dhanurveda]], an account of ancient Indian archery<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
[[Category:Archery in India]]</div>Ajay Kumar