Bio[]
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net. Players score points by striking an object called a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. The game's origins can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century in British India, where it was created by British military officers stationed there, possibly originating from an earlier form of tennis. The game is popular between both the middle and higher class as a form of exercise; the Howells seem to be fond of the game with Mrs. Howell becoming quite adept at it when Mr. Howell teaches it to her.