Question

Who were the Maharajas? Where were they educated? What role did they play in promoting cricket?

a) The Maharajas were Indian nobility educated in Oxford and Cambridge, and they promoted cricket by funding local clubs.
b) The Maharajas were British officials educated in Eton and Harrow, and they played cricket in India.
c) The Maharajas were Indian rulers educated in Indian universities, and they had no significant role in promoting cricket.
d) The Maharajas were religious leaders educated in monasteries, and they promoted cricket as a spiritual sport.

Answer 1

The Maharajas were Indian nobility, often educated in British institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, and Harrow, who played a significant role in promoting cricket in India by funding local clubs and encouraging the sport's growth during British rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Maharajas were Indian nobility who played a significant role in promoting cricket in India. While some Maharajas were educated locally, it was common for prominent members of the Indian elite to receive their education abroad. Historically, many were indeed educated in prestigious institutions in the United Kingdom such as Oxford and Cambridge, or in boarding schools like Eton and Harrow. These educational influences, coupled with their wealth and status, enabled Maharajas to support the game of cricket in India by funding local clubs and teams, building stadiums and bringing the game into the cultural mainstream during British rule.

The influence of cricket, established and nurtured by both British officials and Indian nobility, grew significantly over time. This eventually helped cricket become a major sport in India, leading to the fierce national and regional cricket rivalries we see today, with India having won the Cricket World Cup in 1983.