History of Carrom Board Game – A 200-Year Journey
Carrom board is one of the most entertaining, popular, and famous indoor game played regardless of age or gender. It is a social game that brings everyone together in one place to enjoy and spend some quality time with each other, to laugh, to embark on memories, and to create new memories.
In this article you will know the complete history of carrom.
Carrom, Karrom, Couronne: Unveiling the Many Names of a Popular Board Game
This game has various names around the globe, such as Carrom, Carum, Couronne, Karum, Karam, and Karom. Carrom is the most used and well-known of those names. It is also known by the names ‘strike and pocket,’ ‘finger billiards’, ‘fingerboards,’ etc.
Carrom board – A popular game among most of the countries
It is generally played in South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, And Afghanistan, but it is also becoming popular among most Western nations and in the Arabian peninsula; they also love to play Carrom. Carrom is played in almost 50 countries.
Let’s look at the history of Carrom board game
Carrom’s Birthplace: Unveiling the Game’s Origins
The Carrom board game is almost 200 years old. Some people believe that the Carrom board originated in India; it is thought that the Carrom board was played by the Indian Maharajas centuries back. Meanwhile, some believe it originated in Portugal, and the Portuguese invented it. However, it has been the most popular game in the last few centuries.
Carrom Mania: Popular Pastime of Pre-Divided India
Before independence in the subcontinent, it was played in Delhi, Madras, and Allahabad at the competition level. There were no fixed rules. Everyone used to make their own rules back then.
It became popular after World War I.
Formation of All India Carrom Federation (AICF)
In 1956, the All India Carrom Federation (AICF) was formed in Chennai, giving Carrom a standard and making proper game rules. After that, the rules to play Carrom were fixed, which was an initial step to promote Carrom in India so that India could lead in Carrom. It has offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Saurashtra, and some other cities.
Formation of the International Carrom Federation (ICF)
In 1988, the International Carrom Federation (ICF) was established in Chennai, India, and introduced the Carrom game worldwide. Every year, ICF organises 6 – 7 national-level matches and tournaments to encourage the Carrom players; it also includes a World Cup match of the Carrom game, which is organised by ICF in which both male and female participants can participate. ICF has 15 regional institutions and 28 institutions affiliated with the state, and many more are located on local levels.
ICF includes the Carrot Federation from India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Switzerland, and Germany.
Deaf Carrom Association of Mumbai
This association was established in 2008 to let deaf and hard-of-hearing Carrom players of Mumbai play together to get the opportunity to play Carrom games.
India – A home of Carrom
India holds an actual leading position in the Carrom board game, which is the most loved and played game by the Indians. They have been playing it for centuries. It is said that Carrom board can be found in each household in India; it is played very competitively, even at the domestic level.
It is also believed that Carrom originated from India, and their enthusiasm and passion for the Carrom game also justify that it originated from India. They encourage their players and teach them tips and tricks to play Carrom, such as schooling.
There are many Carrom clubs in India that arrange regular tournaments to promote the game and encourage the players.
Carrom Federations & Associations
Carrom board is played in almost 50 countries, and most of those countries have their own Carrom Federations to promote the game and encourage the Carrom players.
Some of the Carrom Federations and Associations of different countries are given below.
National Carrom Federation of Pakistan (NCFP)
National Carrom Federation of Pakistan NCFP was established in 1973. The primary purpose of NCFP was to encourage and arrange carrom competitions on the national level.
Later, in 2004, the Pakistan Carrom Federation PCF was also founded; its purpose was to build clubs across the country to promote and teach the Carrom game.
Korean Carrom Federation (KCF)
The Korean Carrom Federation KCF was formed in November 1999. Its primary purpose was to encourage the nation to play the Carrom gameÛ” After the establishment of KCF, Korea has participated in many carrom tournaments and also won many titles.
Swiss Carrom Association (SCA)
In 1980, Many Carrom clubs were opened in Switzerland. As a result of the growing number of carrom clubs in the country and due to the public’s huge interest in it, the Swiss Carrom Association SCA was formed in 1985. SCA Conducts Championships in which every Carrom player can participate without any entry requirements.
United Kingdom Carrom Federation (UKCF)
UKCF was formed in 1991. The primary purpose of the UKCF is to promote the Carrom throughout the country and ensure the participation of UK players in International Carrom tournaments. The UKCF also organises many carrom tournaments on an annual basis.
US Carrom Association (USCA)
The US Carrom Association (USCA) was formed unofficially in 1995, and later, in 1999, USCA was established officially to promote the Carrom at the country level and to increase the participation of the US Carrom players in International carrom tournaments organised by ICF.
German Carrom Federation (GCF)
The German Carrom Federation (GCF) was formed in 1986. The primary purpose of the GCF was to promote the Carrom game in the country. GCF hosts six tournaments yearly, and many championships are organised nationwide.
Italian Carrom Federation (FIC)
The Italian Carrom Federation was formed in 1995 to promote the Carrom game in Italy. ICF organises the tournaments and helps the new players ensure their participation in ICF tournaments. The federation has many volunteers who run regular events on the Carrom game throughout Italy to educate people about the game.
Czech Carrom Association (CCA)
The Carrom game was introduced in Czech in 2006 when travellers brought the equipment that is used in the Carrom game with them from India. They also organised their first open Carrom Cup in 2006. After that, the Czech Carrom Association (CCA) was formed in 2010 to promote Carrom in the country. CCA became a member of the European Carrom Confederation and is also part of ICF.
Japan Carrom Federation (JCF)
Japan Carrom Federation (JCF) was established in 1997. They held their first national Carrom Championship in 2004. To interact with other Carrom-playing nations, JCF also held meetings & debates to train their people about the carrom game. JCF also conducts carrom tournaments throughout the country.
Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL)
The Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) was established in 1984. Also, in Sri Lanka, Carrom is the most popular and most played game, and the primary purpose and aim of the establishment of the Sri Lankan Carrom Federation were to organise national & international competitions in the country.
Carrom Federation of Canada (CFC)
Carrom Federation of Canada (CFC) was founded in 1995 to promote Carrom across the country. It also arranges and runs the carrom competitions in the country.
Carrom Federation of Australia (CFA)
The Carrom Federation of Australia (CFA) was formed in 1991. CFA organises the carrom tournaments in the country and also guides and trains the country’s national carrom team.
Association of Carrom Singapore (ACS)
Just like other South Asian countries, Carrom is also being played in Singapore, and the Association of Carrom Singapore (ACS) was established in 2007 to promote the carrom game across the country. The CFS also organises tournaments & competitions in the country.
Carrom Federation of France (CFF)
The Carrom Federation of France (CFF) was established in 2007 to promote the game in France. French people also love to play Carrom. CFF organises the debates and other events in the country.
There are many other carrom federations working around the globe to promote the game and in order to encourage the Carrom players, such as the Bangladesh Carrom Federation BCF, Carrom Association of Maldives, Carrom Federation of Belgium, Carrom Federation of Scotland, etc.
Shifting from Offline to Online
The carrom board is still among the most popular indoor game. It is still traditionally being played offline, but nowadays, we barely have time to eat or rest. We lack those lovely moments because of our hectic lives. We don’t have leisure time to gather together. Also, in today’s technology-dominated world, where the world is shifting from Offline to Online, Our favourite game has also joined the Online world. The Carrom game is also available in the online version, which is more fun and easier to play.
Visit here to install the best carrom board online game in your mobile.
It has a plus point that it can be played at any time, anywhere, and with or without any other player. An online version of the Carrom board game also offers to participate in online tournaments and championships.