Caste and Swimming

In India, the Shudra caste has traditionally been associated with swimming, as they were often employed as boatmen and fishermen.

Shudras were traditionally associated with swimming because they were considered to be strong and capable swimmers, and were often employed as boatmen and fishermen.

During the colonial period, Shudras were not allowed to participate in swimming competitions, as they were considered to be impure and untouchable.

The caste system started to decline in India after the Indian independence in 1947, when the Indian constitution outlawed caste discrimination.

Arati Saha was the first Indian swimmer to compete in the Olympics, breaking the caste barrier in 1952.

Khazan Singh won the first Olympic medal for India in swimming, a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle event at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Mihir Sen was the first Indian swimmer to win a gold medal at the Asian Games, winning the 100-meter freestyle event at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games.

Narendra Nath was the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle event at the 1950 Auckland Commonwealth Games.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to set a world record, setting a new world record in the 200-meter freestyle event in 1956.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in 1994.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the World Championships, winning a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle event at the 1958 Tokyo World Championships.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the Asian Swimming Championships, winning a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle event at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Swimming Championships.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the South Asian Games, winning a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle event at the 1985 Kathmandu South Asian Games.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games, winning a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle event at the 2004 Bendigo Commonwealth Youth Games.

Khazan Singh was the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the Asian Youth Games, winning a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle event at the 2009 Singapore Asian Youth Games.