Throughout the various ages of India's history there has been a
growth of interest in Physical Culture. As far back as the 1100s there
were detailed descriptions of diet, training & lifestyle for the
more famous proponents. Weightlifting was achieved using stone and sacks
of sand. Press-ups and squats were common exercises. By the 1500s Bodybuilding
had become a national passion.
One of the most popular forms of weight that was used through the
centuries was the Nal, made of rough stone with a hole through the centre
and very often with a handle.
It is often considered that the British Rule in India started a period of decline in Physical Culture and general health amongst the Indian population.
In 1905 there was a revival of interest, mainly in strand pulling. This was due to a great extent to Sandow's highly successful visit to India in 1904.
Muscle Control was introduced to India in the 1920s by Chit Tun, a Burmese man who settled in Calcutta.
Despite the influence of Sandow and others 'Western' style bodybuilding did not take off in a big way until the 1930s. The most important instructor at that time being Prof. K.V. Iyer who founded the Hercules Gymnasium in Bangalore. He also started India's first postal course in Bodybuilding.
B.C. Ghosh credits Chit Tun with inspiring him to take up Muscle Control and he and his partner K.C. Sen Gupta opened a Gymnasium in Calcutta in the 1930s. Ghosh & Sengupta were credited with the early training of both Monotosh Roy and Monohar Aich, both World Class bodybuilders in the 50s.
