Lagori, also known as Lingocha, is a fascinating traditional game that originated in ancient India. It entails a ball (ideally a rubber ball) and a stack of seven flat stones put on top of each other. It is usually played between two teams, with each side having a minimum of three players and a maximum of nine.
History
Seven Stones is one of the oldest games on the Indian subcontinent, with references to Lord Krishna playing the game with his associates in the Bhagwata Purana, a Hindu sacred literature said to have been written 5000 years ago. This ancient sport has been practised for over 5 millennia. It is thought to have originated in the Indian subcontinent’s southern regions. In the 1990s, it was one of the most popular outdoor activities in India and Pakistan, but it is now nearly extinct, with only a few people participating. It is frequently referred to as the “violent” variant of dodgeball.
What exactly is “Lagori”?
Lagori is a traditional Indian sport that has been practised for over 5000 years. As evidenced by ancient records, people have been intrigued by this game for over five millennia! It’s a really straightforward sport.
An open space is ideal, and 7-9 flat stones are stacked on top of each other to form a pyramid. The centre of the field is marked by a mound of stones, and two teams stand on either side of it. The assaulting team begins the game by smashing the stones with the use of a ball. The squad swiftly gathers and tries to pile up the stones again as the ball bounces off and travels across the field.
At the same time, the defending team is attempting to retrieve the ball. After that, it is hurled towards the assaulting team’s players, who will be forced to leave the field if they are hit by the ball. The attacking team wins the game if the pile is completed before all of the players have been eliminated. If the pile is left unfinished and all of the attacking players are eliminated, the game is won by the defensive team. To determine the winner, several sets are played.
Modern Day Rules
The game has evolved significantly over time, from an outdoor field with dusty turf to a synthetic indoor facility, from a pile of flat stones to 9 circular fibre discs, and from a worn out tennis ball to decrease impact to a softball specifically designed for Lagori. The International Lagori Federation has established six essential rules:
A total of 12 players are required for each side. Every set, however, only six players are allowed to play on the court. Each set lasts 3 minutes, with a 30-second break following each set. A Lagori match consists of three sets, with the team with the most points winning. A single hand or both hands might be used to catch the ball. With the ball, no player is allowed to run. The pile of 9 discs must be rearranged in the same pyramid chronology once it has been knocked off.
Certainly, the frequency with which the game has been played has decreased over the last decade, but with the success of the inaugural World Cup in 2015 and the ILPL catering to wider audiences, Lagori is experiencing a resurgence. Hopefully, it will be able to achieve what Kabaddi has. Hopefully, this generation’s kids will embrace the game and enjoy it to the fullest, returning it to its rightful place on the playground!
It’s a real treat to play a game that transports you back to your childhood. It’s even more rewarding to present this game to future generations in the hopes that they will continue to play it.
Added guidelines
- When attempting to knock over the piled-up stones, the tossing seeker cannot get too close. They must do so while standing behind a line drawn on the ground.
- If the individual attempting to knock down the pile fails after three attempts, they are deemed out.
- The thrower is out if his or her ball does not knock down the pile and is caught by an opponent four times after the first bounce.
- Each team has the same number of players as the other.
- There are 7 or 10 stones in a pile of flat stones.
- Hitters are unable to run with the ball in order to strike the seekers.
- After restoring the pile of stones, the seeker announces the reconstruction of the pile of stones by saying the game’s name.
- If the thrower hits the piles with the ball and the other team player catches it, the entire team is out.
