Hamirpur: Unlike cock-fights and bull-fights, the district here is known for fights of partridges. The duel of partridges is a popular sports among the local farmers who indulge in this game after harvesting the crop.
Such a martial sport of the partridges was recently held in Mouda village of the district.
Once, bullock race was a popular sport in Bundelkhand’s Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Karvi. However, as people became sensitive to cruelty on animals, bullock race is no more held now. Instead, the fight of partridges can still be seen in many parts of the region.
For this popular sport, farmers bring their partridges and make them enter the arena. These partridges are well trained, if one observes the various fighting technique they use in their bout. The fighting partridges are well fed by their masters.
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The owner of the winning partridge is awarded a shield. The owners feed their prized birds with protein rich almonds, raisin and ghee before the bout to make them fit for fighting. For the farmers, to win a shield is a matter of pride.
According to Surendra Singh, owner of some partridges, the farmers of the region, after harvesting their crop arrange the competition of partridge fights for entertainment.
