Teer Khela in Police Bazar, Shillong
Walking through the Police Bazar in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, you will encounter numerous small kiosks selling lottery tickets. These stalls vary in shape and size, but they all share two common features: a scrawny blackboard scribbled with numbers hanging outside, and the sale of tickets for the daily archery competition.
Engaging in Teer Khela
Approaching any of these counters, sellers will ask if you’ve chosen a number and how much you’d like to bet on it. For newcomers, this can be slightly confusing, but this is the essence of Teer Khela in Shillong’s bustling shopping district.
Understanding Teer Khela
Teer, the traditional sport of archery, involves 50 archers each shooting 30 arrows at a target. Participants bet on the last two digits of the total number of arrows that hit the target. For instance, if 950 arrows hit the target, the winning number is 50. The correct predictor wins all the money earned from ticket sales that day, making it a daily occurrence.
The History of Teer
The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya has played archery for centuries, with the sport rooted deeply in the community. Legends claim that archery was a divine gift to the Khasis. According to one myth, the local Reigning Goddess received the divine bow and arrows, passing them down to her sons, and this tradition continues today. Young Khasi boys train in archery from a young age, with a bow and arrows being significant symbols throughout their lives.
Betting on teer began in the 20th century, continuing for decades before being banned by the state government in the 1970s. It persisted illegally until the Meghalaya government legalized it in 1982 under the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment) Act 1982.
Economic Impact of Teer Khela
Teer Khela is popular across Meghalaya, with over 5,000 counters employing more than 10,000 people, including ticket sellers and archery counter operators. Ticket sellers and operators earn between Rs 350 and Rs 500 daily, while archers earn Rs 250 to Rs 300 a day. Many families rely on teer khela for their livelihoods, though counter owners and bookies make the most significant profits.
The Daily Routine
Betting occurs daily, with people buying lottery tickets from 10 AM to 3:30 PM and placing bets on numbers between 0 to 99. At 3:30 PM, the action shifts to the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association. A peaceful silence falls as 50 archers prepare and begin shooting 30 arrows each. After the last arrow is shot, blinds cover the target, and counting begins.
A second round follows at 4:30 PM, where archers shoot 20 arrows each.
Winning and Earning
Two results are announced daily—one after each round. On a normal day, correctly guessing the number for one round can earn a person up to Rs 80 for every Rs 1 invested. Correctly guessing numbers for both rounds can result in earnings of Rs 4,000 for every Rs 1 invested.
The Dark Side of Teer Khela
Despite its economic significance and employment provision for over 10,000 people in Meghalaya, teer khela functions as gambling. Many locals have lost their life savings to teer khela. Additionally, the daily workers make the least money, depending on daily sales, while organizers and counter owners reap the most significant profits.
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