As I watched Jammu and Kashmir cricket team erupt in joy on breaking the glass ceiling by lifting the Ranji trophy my thoughts went to CE Tyndale Biscoe. Biscoe has left an indelible mark on Kashmir and can be credited with the making of modern Kashmiri by his pioneering work on education in the valley. The irrepressible teacher believed that ‘character’ was the prime aim of education and sports was the medium to build it. The emphasis on same is reflected even today in the motto of Tyndale Biscoe school (originally called Christian Mission School) – ‘In All Things Be Men’ (Not to be confused with patriarchy but with desirable qualities in a just and strong person’.
It was in 1891 that Biscoe reached Srinagar to join Christian Mission School founded by Rev. J. H. Knowles. The Kashmiri society in those times was totally cut off from the world and engulfed in a sea of ignorance. Brahmin students made the bulk of students. Biscoe felt that introduction of games would give the boys that sense of fair play and sportsmanship which they so much needed. However, first obstacle to be overcome was the objection of the Brahmin youths to touching leather covered ball! Fortunately, the boys wore long sleeved pherans those days and used the garment over their palms to avoid touching ball with their skin! When they had to stop or catch the ball, they spread out their garment over their knees, or between their legs and thus stopped or caught the ball. So, a game of cricket as played by the boys was a comic opera from start to finish as per Biscoe’s account. It took quite two years to persuade teachers and boys that the Gods would not be angry if they permitted the leather ball to touch their skins.
Same problem was faced when they were introduced to leather football. Though the ball was to be only kicked, only threat of extreme violence by stick wielding masters could cajole the motley crowd of grown up pheran clad and turban wearing men who were primary school students to kick and chase the ball. The first match was mayhem as their wooden clogs (slippers) flew in the air and their pugrees were knocked off while their pherans flapped in one another’s faces and a grand mix-up of clothes and humanity was on display. Then suddenly there were sounds of agony and horror followed by pin drop silence when a sobbing boy was brought to Biscoe. He had the bad fortune of getting hit by the unholy leather football bang in the face! He was immediately given a wash in the canal nearby but his family didn’t permit him to enter the house for 3 months!
Kashmir was a riverine society but hardly anyone new swimming. Large number of people drowned by accident due to this. When Biscoe introduced swimming and rowing in school, he was met by tough opposition by the society. Weirdest reason given was that by such exercises, the boys would develop muscles of their arms and would look like lowly boatmen or labourers! However, persistence of this great man who was himself a champion rower back in his school paid fruit eventually and the boys had to compulsorily swim across Dal to get promoted. Rowing regatta of school were witnessed by huge cheering crowds.
Since those days all sports including trekking, mountaineering, skiing have been part and parcel of the curriculum for both boys and girls of Biscoe schools. The success of the model is reflected in the proud Biscoites who have led the Kashmiri society in all fields over decades.
I am sure today is a special day for Rev. Canon Tyndale Biscoe as he looks on at the triumph of Kashmiri cricketers from his resting place. I wish many modern-day Biscoe’s to guide the youth of Kashmir in the rapidly changing world so that they find their rightful place.
Dr Vikas Thakur is a Veterinary Pathologist who has worked extensively all over India, especially in the Himalayan region. A keen observer and thinker, he is much interested in local history, societal issues , nature and anything that arouses curiosity. After spending 4 years in Kashmir, he came out with his experiences and understandings of this most interesting region in the form of a critically acclaimed book -‘Pax Kashmir’ this year. A native of Shimla, he is currently based in Chandigarh. Besides reading and writing, he likes to spend his time Riding and Golfing.
He is currently – Executive Committee Member, Equine Welfare and Medication Control, Equestrian Federation of India.
