The first Asian Games were held in which city?

Introduction / Context:
The Asian Games are a major multi sport event held every four years, featuring athletes from across Asia. Questions about the first edition, such as its host city and year, are common in sports general knowledge because they test basic historical awareness of regional sporting traditions. This question asks which city hosted the very first Asian Games.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the first ever Asian Games.
• Options list several important Asian cities: Jakarta, Tokyo, New Delhi, Beijing, and Bangkok.
• We assume the event is the 1951 Asian Games, which are recognised as the first official Asian Games.
• The task is to recall the correct host city from the list.

Concept / Approach:
The inaugural Asian Games were held in 1951 in New Delhi, India. This was a significant event in post independence India, showcasing the country's role in promoting regional sports cooperation. The correct approach is to connect the term “first Asian Games” with 1951 and New Delhi, and then select New Delhi from among the options. Other cities like Tokyo, Jakarta, Beijing, and Bangkok hosted later editions of the Asian Games but not the first one.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the first Asian Games are being referenced.Step 2: Recall that the inaugural Games took place in 1951.Step 3: Remember that India hosted this first edition and that the host city was New Delhi.Step 4: Match New Delhi with the given options.Step 5: Choose New Delhi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, one can recall that the official name of the event was the 1951 Asian Games, also known as the first Asiad, and it was held in New Delhi. Historical summaries of the Asian Games often start with a timeline noting New Delhi as the first host, then moving to later hosts such as Manila, Tokyo, and Jakarta. This chronological pattern is widely documented and supports the choice of New Delhi.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Tokyo hosted later editions of the Asian Games but not the inaugural one. Jakarta and Beijing have also served as hosts in subsequent years, and Bangkok is notable for hosting multiple Asian Games, yet none of these cities were the first. Since the question is specifically about the first Asian Games, these cities do not satisfy the required condition and are therefore incorrect options.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to remember only that Japan or another East Asian country has hosted the Games and to select Tokyo or Beijing without checking whether it was the first edition. Another pitfall is forgetting that India had a central role in starting the Asian Games. To avoid this, candidates should memorise a short sequence of early hosts and years, keeping New Delhi 1951 firmly in mind as the starting point.

Final Answer:
The first Asian Games were held in the city of New Delhi.