Why cricket became popular instead of football in Pakistan and India and what is the role of Britain in it

Why cricket became popular instead of football in Pakistan and India and what is the role of Britain in it Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. The game essentially originated in a pub in England in 1863 when a few people set the rules for this popular footy game and completely separated it from the football-like game of rugby. In the next four decades, football made its mark in many countries around the world. One of the reasons for the spread of this game was the British Raj, which was the most powerful world power on earth at that time and occupied a large part of the world. However, in many regions of the former British rule, football did not become as popular as other sports. For example, in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, rugby is more popular than football, while cricket is an important part of life in India and Pakistan (which were British colonies). "When the British arrived in Australia or India, England's national sport was cricket, not football," sports historian Gene Williams told rugby was the favorite sport of the elite who were sent to rule these regions.

 Williams explains that during this period the favorite sport of the middle class and working class in Britain was football or soccer. Williams points out that 'there are two reasons for the popularity of football around the world: the first is the spread of railway lines built by British engineers. Secondly, educational exchange with people from other countries, especially in Latin America and Asia.

The two major sports of the British Raj: cricket and rugby

The two major sports of the British Raj: cricket and rugby Cricket became the national sport of England in the 18th century and this was the time when the British Raj was at its peak. But another sport was also establishing its popularity: rugby, which for decades was said to be a 'brutal gentleman's game'. "These games were played by the rich and leaders of the time," says Williams. 

These games were formally introduced in regions like Australia, India and South Africa. But before that, British traders had brought cricket to India during the 18th century, but after the occupation of the British Raj in the 19th century, it was officially introduced from where its popularity increased. And today cricket is apparently the most popular sport in India and Pakistan. The same thing happened with rugby. It gained popularity in the mid-19th century in other areas including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Historian Patrick Hutchison in his book 'Sports and British Colonialism' notes that 'under British rule

Historian Patrick Hutchison in his book 'Sports and British Colonialism' notes that 'under British rule, sport was a unifying force that was often rooted in nationalism, and sport reflected socio-political struggle. ' This influence has made India, Pakistan and Australia into cricket-loving nations. While in rugby, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and former British colonies became world champions. The most popular sport in Australia is Australian Rules Football or Australian Football, which is actually a combination of cricket, rugby and football. It is similar to English rugby union.

So why did football lag behind in these countries?

So why did football lag behind in these countries? On the other hand, football has two characteristics that make it less popular in these areas: its rules were set in 1863 and later, and it was favored by the British middle class and working class. "By the time football became a popular sport in Britain, cricket and rugby had already become popular in the colonies and had always been a favorite sport of the upper classes and elites," says Williams. However, British imperialism also used football as a 'unifying force' in its African colonies. 

 Hutchison said that "in Zanzibar, Egypt and other colonial territories various leagues were organized with the aim of increasing control through sports." Football was used for the same purpose.But football continued to expand in other ways as well.

How did soccer spread to Europe and why is it played less in America?

How did soccer spread to Europe and why is it played less in America? Even at the beginning of the 20th century, the British Empire was considered the center of global power in its territories spanning Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. But throughout Europe, football became popular with British citizens going to Germany, France, Italy, Spain and other European countries. Since the railway was a British invention, its construction in other areas was also a means of influence.

 According to the historian, "Many people believe that railway workers took football with them around the world." This happened with the help of engineers because football was a middle class game in England. According to Williams, these people played football in other regions and influenced it, and they played an important role in teaching it and building its organizations in other countries. It was as if the elite had taken cricket and rugby with them to the colonial territories. At the beginning of the 20th century, football clubs were established in countries like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Many of them were given English names that persist today, such as River Plate and Boca Juniors in Argentina, Club Nacional de Futbol in Uruguay and Fluminense FC in Brazil. "The great thing about football was that it wasn't segmented, so it became popular at all levels," says Williams. The railways weren't the only way football spread around the world, he says. People used to come to Britain for business and education and this is also believed to be the source of the spread of sports.

Many people from Latin America and Asia came to English universities and found it a popular sport and took it back with them.

Williams has said that "many people from Latin America and Asia came to English universities and found it a popular sport and took it back with them." For example, Deportivo Cali, one of Colombia's most famous clubs, was founded by the Nazario brothers, who spent five years in England during the 20th century. 

 "Football was born in England and it influenced people outside the British Raj," he says. For this reason, many football clubs were founded by people who came to Britain from abroad. But despite the British influence in America and Canada, football could not become popular here. Historian James Brown has said that "soccer has tried many times to become a part of American civilization, but I think that its rules and goalscoring statistics were the things that kept it from becoming more popular." According to him, Americans like games that involve bigger numbers. But the truth is that until the age of 16, the youth of this country play soccer. So here its future can be seen.