{{short description|Amateur sport originating from the Indian subcontinent}} {{more footnotes needed|date=December 2018}} {{EngvarB|date=February 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} [[File:Guli danda on Ganges Ghats in Varanasi.jpg|thumb|Two boys playing gillidanda on the ghats of the Ganga river in Varanasi, India]]
'''Gillidanda''' (Gilli-Danda, {{ipa|hi|ɡɪlːiː ɖəɳɖaː|ipa}}) is an ancient sport originating from Indian Subcontinent that is still widely played throughout South Asia. The sport is also found as far north as the Mediterranean and as far east as Southeast Asia. It was a precursor to cricket in South Asia.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Armstrong |first=Gary |last2=Bates |first2=Crispin |date=2001 |title=Selves and others: Reflections on sport in South Asia |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09584930120083800 |journal=Contemporary South Asia |language=en |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=191–205 |doi=10.1080/09584930120083800 |issn=0958-4935|hdl=20.500.11820/22dfa8c8-d809-49f6-9a72-07c50ac1130d |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
The game is played with '''two sticks''': a large one called a ''danda'', which is used to hit a smaller one, the ''gilli''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiamapped.com/sports-in-india/gilli-danda/ |title=Gilli Danda |website=India Mapped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420184214/https://www.indiamapped.com/sports-in-india/gilli-danda/ |archive-date=2014-04-20}}</ref> It bears many similarities to bat and ball games such as cricket and baseball.
Gullidanda is an ancient sport that may date back more than 2,500 years.<ref>Steve Craig (2002), Sports and Games of the Ancients: (Sports and Games Through History), {{ISBN|978-0-313-31600-5}}, pages 63–65</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Arlott |editor1-first=John |title=The Oxford companion to sports & games |year=1975 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-211538-3 |page=414 |quote=Gilli danda is an ancient game. It was played, more or less in its present form, about 5,000 years ago.}}</ref>
==Etymology==
Gillidanda is known by various other names: Tip-cat in English, ''Iti-Dakar'' (اٽي ڏڪر) in Sindhi, ''guli-badi'' (ଗୁଲି ବାଡ଼ି) in Odia (regional variations ''dabalapua'' ଡାବଲପୁଆ and ପିଲବାଡ଼ି ''pilabadi'' in Phulbani and ''guti-dabula'' ଗୁଟିଡାବୁଳ in Balasore), gulli-ṭāṇ (𑂏𑂳𑂪𑂹𑂪𑂲 𑂗𑂰𑂝) in Bhojpuri, ''alak-doulak'' (الک دولک) in Persian, ''dānggűli'' (ডাঙ্গুলি) in Bengali, Tang Guti (টাং গুটি) in Assamese, ''chinni-kolu ಚಿನ್ನಿ ಕೋಲು'' in Kannada, kuttiyum kolum in Malayalam, ''vitti-dandu'' विट्टी दांडू in Marathi, ''Koyando-bal''(कोयंडो बाल) in Konkani, ''kitti-pul'' (கிட்டி-புல்) in Tamil, ''Gooti-Billa'' (Andhra Pradesh) or ''Karra-Billa'' (Andhra Pradesh) or ''Billam-Godu'' (Andhra Pradesh) or ''chirra-gonay'' (in Telangana) in Telugu, ''Gulli-Danda'' ({{Nastaliq|گُلی ڈنڈا}}/ਗੁੱਲ਼ੀ ਡੰਡਾ) in Punjabi, ''Geeti Danna'' ({{Nastaliq|گیٹی ڈنا}}) in Saraiki, ''Ampra kaakay''(am pra ka kay) in Pashto, ''Kon ko'' in Cambodian, ''Pathel Lele'' in Indonesian, ''syatong'' in Tagalog, ''{{lang|hil|awe petew}}'' in Ilonggo, ''çelikçomak'' in Turkish, ''{{lang|zom|ciang sat}}'' in Zomi language, "Đánh Trỏng" or "Đánh Khăng" in Vietnam, Quimbumbia in Cuba and Lippa in Italy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilli Danda or Guli Dunda (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan) |website=Traditional Sports |url=https://www.traditionalsports.org/traditional-sports/asia/gilli-danda-guli-dunda-indi-bangladesh-nepal-afghanistan-pakistan.html |access-date=2024-03-18 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
==History== The sport of gillidanda is derived from ''ghaṭikā'', literally "tip-cat". Ghatika is still known to countries Pakistan most famous in Punjab from the Indian subcontinent and south Asian countries like Bangladesh and India. In Bangladesh, it is known as ''gilli danda'' while in Nepali, it is known as ''dandi biyo'' (डण्डी बियो), which is a similar game. The longer stick in ''ḍāṅguli khelā'' should be about {{convert|1+1/2|ft|abbr=on}} and the shorter stick about {{convert|6|in|abbr=on}}. There are certain rules for preparing the sticks and playing the game with them.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/2062150/SEVEN_GAMES_OF_INDIA_IN_THE_6TH_CENTURY_B.C._AS_DEPICTED_IN_THE_MAH%C4%80TA%E1%B9%86H%E1%BE%B9SA%E1%B9%84KHAYASUTTA_OF_THE_MAJJHIMANIK%C4%80YA Seven Games of India in the 6th Century B.C. as Depicted in the MahātaṆhᾹsaṄkhayasutta of the Majjhimanikāya]</ref> Gillidanda traces its roots back to ancient India. The game has been played for centuries and holds cultural significance. It was not only a source of recreation but also a way to develop physical agility and coordination among players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bashir |first=Noman |date=October 6, 2023 |title=How to Play Gilli Danda: A Comprehensive Guide |url=https://bizbrilliance.blogspot.com/2023/10/how-to-play-gilli-danda-comprehensive.html |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Biz Brilliance}}</ref>
==Rules== thumb|A ''gilli'' Gillidanda is played with two pieces of equipment – a ''danda'', being a long wooden stick, and a ''gilli'', a small oval-shaped piece of wood. It is played with four or more players of even numbers.
thumb|The boy on left is about to strike the gilli with the danda, while the one on right is fielding.
Standing in a small circle, the player balances the ''gilli'' on a stone in an inclined manner (somewhat like a see-saw) with one end of the ''gilli'' touching the ground while the other end is in the air. The player then uses the ''danda'' to hit the ''gilli'' at the raised end, which flips it into the air. While it is in the air, the player strikes the ''gilli'', hitting it as far as possible. After striking the gilli, the player is required to run and touch a pre-agreed point outside the circle before an opponent retrieves the gilli.There are no specific dimensions of gillidanda and it does not have a limited number of players.
The ''gilli'' becomes airborne after it is struck. If a fielder from the opposing team catches the ''gilli'', the striker is out. If the ''gilli'' lands on the ground, the fielder closest to the ''gilli'' has one chance to hit the ''danda'' (which has to be placed on top of the circle used) with a throw (similar to a run out in cricket). If the fielder is successful, the striker is out; if not, the striker scores one point and gets another opportunity to strike. The team (or individual) with the most points wins the game. If the striker fails to hit the ''gilli'' in three tries, the striker is out (similar to a strikeout in baseball). After the ''gilli'' has been struck, the opposing players need to return to the circle or, in the best case, catch it in mid-air without it hitting the ground.
==Variations== As an amateur youth sport, gilli danda has many regional variations. In some versions, the number of points a striker score depends on the distance the ''gilli'' falls from the striking point. The distance is measured in terms of the length of the danda, or in some cases the length of the ''gilli''. Scoring also depends on how many times the ''gilli'' was hit in the air in one strike. If it travels a certain distance with two mid-air strikes, the total points are doubled. If the ''gilli'' is not struck far enough the player has to pick it up and try again.
Shobhit Maurya is a world champion of gilli danda at present with several world records in his name.{{Citation needed|reason=No information found about world records online, sources may be available in print or in other languages.|date=June 2025}} The UNESCO Advisory Committee and the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) are keen to revive and promote all such traditional sports which are almost dying throughout the world.
In one variation, the striker hits the gilli and when the gilli flies and lands at a distance (short or far), the striker then tells the bowler how much the distance is between where he is standing and where the gillis has fallen, i.e. how many lengths of danda. It is a guess of course, but mostly correct. The bowler or thrower either accepts the score or can measure the length himself. If a wrong score is found by measuring, striker is out.
== Similar games == thumb|A game of ''billarda'' in Galicia, Spain * In Iran, a similar game is called ''Alak dolak'' (الک دلک) or ''Aluch Aghach'' (ألوچ آقاچ) by Persians and Turks, respectively. * In Azerbaijan, a similar game is called ''Çilingağac'' (Chilingaghaj). * In Galicia, a similar game is called ''billarda''. * In Catalonia and the Valencian Community, a similar game is called ''bòlit''. * In Philippines, a game known as ''syatong'' or ''pati-kubra'' (in Morong, Rizal) is similar to gillidanda. * In Italy, a similar game known as ''Lippa'', ''Lipe'', ''Tirolo'', or ''S-cianco'' is shown in the movie ''Watch Out, We're Mad!''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9A4NvJ_ozU |title=Bud Spencer, Terence Hill e a Billarda |website=YouTube |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=5 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405150626/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9A4NvJ_ozU |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5eDhhjMssI |title=Y si no, nos enfadamos ( 2/10 ) – Juntos son dinamita |website=YouTube |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308064336/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5eDhhjMssI |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CmUA8CWo2c |title=palio mazza e pivezo cesa (CE) |website=YouTube |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=6 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406061500/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CmUA8CWo2c |url-status=live }}</ref> * In Croatia, an old children's shepherds' game called ''Pikuća'' has rules that are almost identical to those of ''Gillidanda''. * In the United States, a similar game is called ''pee-wee''.<ref>{{cite book | author = Frederic Gomes Cassidy, Joan Houston Hall | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=i33BWgxbvXgC&pg=PA83 | title = Dictionary of American Regional English | publisher = Belknap, Harvard University Press | year = 2002 |isbn = 978-0-674-00884-7| access-date = 14 September 2011 }}</ref> * Dainty is a street ball game played in Schnitzelburg, Louisville in the United States. * In England, a similar game was called tip-cat, giddy-gaddy and cat's pallet. * In Poland, a similar game is known, called ''Klipa''. * In Malaysia, a similar game is known as ''konda kondi''. * In Norway, a similar game is known as ''vippe pinne''. * In Romania, a similar game is known as ''țurcă''. * In Russia, a similar game is known as ''chizhik'' (чижик). * In Ukraine, a similar game is known as ''chizhik'' (чижик) as well with sports colours being black. * In Slovenia, a similar game is known as ''[https://www.pandolo.si pandolo]''. * In Mexico, the game is known as ''charangay'' or ''changais''.<ref name="machuca2021">{{cite news |last=Machuca |first=Paulina |date=2021-08-08 |title=La herencia asiática en México: nuestra cuarta raíz |url=https://www.academia.edu/61090274 |newspaper=El universal |language=es |quote=En Colima, de niña jugué al charangay — o changais — con unos palitos de madera que se debían suspender en el aire para luego lanzarlos lo más lejos posible; es un tipo de juego que se conoce no únicamente en Filipinas sino también en otras naciones asiáticas.}}</ref> * In Cuba, the game is known as ''Quimbumbia''. * In Newfoundland, a similar traditional children's game is known as Tiddly or Piddly. * In Ireland, a variation of the game is called ''Cead'' (pronounced "Kyad") and is traditionally played exclusively on one day a year, St. Patrick's Day (17th March), on the island of Inishmaan (Inis Meáin) on the Atlantic coastline of Galway. * Among the Abenaki people of Canada and the United States, there is a game called Moineau.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://niona.org/traditions/| title=Traditions| website=Niona| lang=fr}}</ref> * In Nepal, a similar game is known as Dandibiyo.
== In popular culture == The 2014 Marathi sport/drama movie ''Vitti Dandu'' was made on the same sport.
The Bollywood movie ''Lagaan'' mentions the traditional youth sport of gillidanda as being similar to cricket.
The 2021 Nepali movie ''Damaru Ko Dandibiyo'' starring Khagendra Lamichhane portrays an underdog team winning the gillidanda league in the hills of Nepal.
The Hindi writer Premchand wrote a short story named "Gilli-danda" in which he compares old simple times and emotions to modern values and also hints at caste inequalities in India. The protagonist and narrator of the story recounts his inability to play ''gilli-danda'' well in his youth. He remembers a friend who could control the gilli as he wished. He goes away and comes back as an adult and a government officer. He searches for his old friend and finds him – he is very poor and says, "Where do we get the time?" when asked by the protagonist whether he plays gilli-danda. The protagonist convinces him to play – he cheats at every opportunity, but his friend meekly submits, even though he would not have let him get away with such deceit in his youth. After being defeated, the friend invites him to a gilli-danda match the next day. The protagonist is shocked when he sees his friend play just as well as before and realises that he had indulged him because he knew that he had forgotten the basics of gilli-danda. The protagonist feels very small and goes back to the city humiliated.<ref>{{cite book | author = Prakash Chandra Gupta | year = 1968 | title = Prem Chand | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bTUt0PwnCaYC&pg=PA9 | series = Makers of Indian Literature | location = New Delhi | publisher = Sahitya Akademi | pages=9– | isbn=978-81-260-0428-7 }}</ref>
The 1934 Laurel & Hardy film ''Babes in Toyland'' features Laurel playing the US version of the game, which he refers to as "Pee Wee."
==See also== * Backyard cricket * Pittu Garam, also known as Pithu Fod or simply Pithu * Kho Kho * Paandi
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071026054356/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/06/09/stories/1309110a.htm How to Play Gilli-Danda]}} * [https://www.academia.edu/31682490/SEVEN_GAMES_OF_INDIA_IN_THE_6th_CENTURY_BCE_AS_DEPICTED_IN_THE_MAHATANHASANKHAYASUTTA_OF_THE_MAJJHlMANIKA_YA Seven Games of India in the 6th Century B.C.] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcD5BoztOWA Watch Gilli-danda being played] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Moy0TUKxTbk Watch a Gilli-danda tournament] * [http://www.intelligiochi.it/nonni/lippa.htm Lippa] {{in lang|it}} * [http://www.agaverona.it/s-cianco/lippa.php S-cianco] {{in lang|it}} * [https://www.gillidanda.org/ Gilli Danda International Federation]}
Category:Traditional sports of India Category:Indian games Category:Sports originating in South Asia Category:Sports originating in India