History

The history of Sallyball is a long and noble one spanning six centuries and traversing multiple dynasties and cultures. Though a native Goan sport played exclusively in the state of its birth it has been the inspiration and is the root of many modern classics such as volleyball, croquet, tennis and the discus.

The first records of play appear in the 14th century following the 1370 surrender of rule to Harihara I of the Vijayanagara empire. It appears that during the rule of the Vijayanagara monarchs prior to 1469, the game was played extensively in the Parra Vaddo south of the modern city of Mapusa. Records state that the original game was played using the inflated bladder of a pig and whilst many of the Vijayanagaran rules were similar to those of the modern game the key exception was the wearing of light amour and short swords.

In 1469 Goa was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga and it was at this point in time that a less militaristic approach was adopted towards the sport. Initially this involved the substitution of the metallic armor for breast plates and shin guards made of local materials such as coconut and cashew tree bark. Many academics and historians feel that the adoption of local products and the resultant pacification of the game of Sallyball was a partial cause of the collapse of the Gulbarga dynasty.

Under the rule of Adil Shahis of Bijapur the playing of the game lapsed. It was not until 1510 and the Portuguese victory over the ruling Bijapur kings that play began again. It is generally accepted that the Portuguese invaded Goa partly to restart the game of Sallyball in a brave attempt to prevent the extinction of the sport and its associated culture. However, many historians feel that this is in fact a re-writing of the historical facts by the Portuguese and that the rebirth of Sallyball was a consequence of and condition for the support of the Timayya, a local ally, that insisted upon the full re-adoption of the game of Sallyball as the regional sport.

It is from this point in time 1510 that the modern game, played without husk armour began. Indeed many of the classic plays such as The Bomb, The Bisector, The rhino and The Peach arise from that time.