Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c15.s3.38

c15.s3.38

Lastly we come to combat or wrestling which was a favourite pastime of rich people. The kings took keen interest in it, and they appointed their own wrestlers. We are told that king Sihagiri of Sopārāya offered money to wrestlers who came out victorious The wrestler Attana of Ujjayini took part in the wrestling tournament (juddhamaha) every year and won the flag of honour. He went as far as Kosambī and defeated the royal wrestler and was honoured by the state¹⁷⁸ There were wrestlers who could combat with one thousand persons at a time (sahassamalla)¹ Then cock and peacock fights were other popular pastimes in ancient India Hundreds and thousands were staked and a huge number of people assembled to watch such fights.¹⁸⁰ Reference has been made to a peacock-fight that was held in Campā The peacock brought hundreds and thousands to its owner Combats of buffaloes, bulls, horses and elephants are referred to¹⁸¹