Dhop khel

From Assam

Dhoopkhel

Dhopkhel shares similarities with several modern team sports, including Rugby, American football, and dodgeball. In this game, players attempt to score by throwing the ball into the opponent’s court. If a player is unable to successfully deliver the ball into the opposing area, they are required to repeat the attempt. The game involves tagging opponents by throwing the ball from a measured distance, which demands precise judgement of direction and throwing force. Consequently, swiftness, coordination, and acrobatic agility are essential skills.

Dhoopkhel is an engaging and strategic game that combines physical activity with cultural heritage. It fosters community bonding, making it a cherished part of Assam’s traditions.

Origin

Dhopkhel is a traditional ball game played in Assam in north-east India as a part of welcoming spring and celebrating the new year festival of Rangali Bihu. It reflects the vigor and agility of Assamese youth and was once performed to entertain the Ahom royalty. The game blends athleticism, teamwork, and tactical play, similar in spirit to Kabaddi but played with a ball.

Dhopkhel was a popular sport under the Ahom rulers. It is believed that the game thrived under the patronage of the Ahom Kings. This makes Dhopkhel one of the oldest games of northeast India.

The Setup

Teams

There are two teams, each consisting of 11 players each.

The Playground

The field is rectangular, typically 125 meters long and 80 meters wide, divided into two halves. The central point is in the middle of the playing area. Two lines (Ghai) are drawn at a distance of 12 ft on each side of the centre. Four flags are placed in the four corners. On the central point which is equidistant from the two halves, a circle is drawn, known as Gher.

Equipment: A lightweight ball, traditionally made of cloth or other soft materials.

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The Play

1.The game begins with one team throwing the ball into the other team’s half. The opposing team must try to catch the ball or retrieve it and counter attack.

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2.The objective is to tag one of the opponents. Tagging players standing near a corner is easier as they do not have much open space to run to.

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3.The player who is tagged out has to go to the opponent’s side and prevent the opponent’s team from catching the ball thrown by his or her native team. That player catches the ball and needs to bring it back to the native team

without  being  touched  by  the  opponents.

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4.There would be multiple players from both teams on both sides on the court. The game is a test of speed, strength and  motor  skills.

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5.A notable feature of the game is that when a player successfully catches an opponent’s throw. The catching player is then granted the opportunity to stand within the designated Gher (circle) and attempt a targeted throw of the dhop (ball) towards the katoni—an opponent positioned at the opposite end of the court.

Glossary

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Terms

Description

Dhop

Ball

Gher

The circle on the central line of the court

Katoni

An opponent positioned at the opposit side of the court

Bondha

When Katoni is tagged by the ball it is said to become Bondha

Aulia

When the Bondha joins the opponents his strategy of play is called Aulia

Ghai

Two lines equidistance from the central circle

Piriutha

Scoring 10 points on Ghai Katoni

Kota

The action of Katoni hitting below waist

Kai

Space outside the boundary

We are presenting this glossary here to describe the key terms used in this game.

6.If the thrower fails to strike the katoni, they forfeit their chance and must instead deliver a high, easy lob to the opposing team—similar to the opening throw of the game.

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7.When the katoni is struck below the waist, the action is termed a kota. In this situation, the katoni becomes a bondha, and is no longer considered a ghai, which is the status of all players at the beginning of the match. The bondha then faces a challenging task: he/she must join the opposing team, then attempt to prevent them from catching the dhop, and try to make a successful throw himself. This strategic play is known as aulia.

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8.Even if the bondha succeeds in catching the dhop, his next objective is to return to his original team’s side without being touched by any member of the opposing team. If he manages to cross safely, he regains his status as a ghai. This successful return is called hora. During this attempt, he must also ensure he does not step outside the boundaries of the playing field, known as the kais.

Winning

If a team loses ten ghais—meaning they all become bondha— only one player remains, referred to as the ghai katoni. If the

opposing team succeeds in performing a kota on this final ghai katoni, it is termed piriutha, signifying victory for the opposing side. Conversely, if both teams retain an equal number of ghais by the end, the match is declared a draw.

The rules governing this process are intricate, adding depth and complexity to the game.

Skill Development

The game enhances physical fitness, agility, and quick decision- making.

Players need to coordinate effectively to outmaneuver their opponents. By this they learn teamwork.

Overall, Dhopkhel requires high stamina, athletic disposition, strong reflexes, and well-developed physical conditioning, making it a demanding and engaging traditional sport.