Origin of Polo

Despite innumerable claims from various nations and kingdoms for the origin place of the world famous game of polo, Ancient Manipur has the earliest history of the sports, right from 3100 BC.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] Next to it, the earliest history is followed by that of Persia in 525 BC.^[1]

Manipur Polo Players in 1875

Sagol Kangjei (Traditional Polo) in Manipur, India

The fact that Manipur is the birth place of polo is already supported by the Guinness World Records, by a declaration in the year 1991, as:

"Polo can be traced to origins in Manipur state c. 3100 BC, when it was played as Sagol Kangjei."

_Guinness World Records, 1991, page no. 706.^[1]

Imphal Polo Ground, the world's oldest polo ground, in Manipur.

Notably, it is worth mentioning that the Imphal Polo Ground is the oldest polo ground in the world.^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]

HistoryEdit

The game of polo (Sagol Kangjei) was invented during the reign of "King Kangba" (1405 BC-1359BC), the successor of "Tangja Leela Pakhangba".^[10] This remarkable achievement was recorded in many ancient scriptures including the "Kangbalon" and the "Kangjeirol".^[10]

An ancient polo ground inside the Kangla.

MythologyEdit

Marjing, the deity invented the game of polo according to Manipuri mythology (Meitei mythology).^[11] He rides on Samadon Ayangba, the flying winged horse, created by Sanamahi, from the moon land. It is Marjing, who laid on the rules and regulations for the game of polo according to Sanamahism, the ancient Meitei religion.^[12] Interestingly, it is notable that Marjing is the only god in the world, who is associated with the polo. No other religions of the world have the god of polo except Meitei religion.^[12]

AcclamationEdit

The International Museum of the Horse unveiled an exhibition on Manipur's history of polo and polo pony, in the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, USA.^[13]

Controversies and DebatesEdit

After continuous debates regarding the origin of the polo, an Italian author Fulvio Cinquinni settled the doubt once and for all. For these, he visited Imphal to collect adequate historical documents and materials for book on the game.^[14]

ReferencesEdit

[sportstract.com-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 https://www.sportstract.com/guinness-book-of-world-records-1991-says-polo-can-be-traced-to-origins-in-manipur-state-c-3100-b-c-when-it-was-played-as-sagol-kangjei/amp/

[2] ttps://edtimes.in/the-game-of-polo-was-born-in-manipur-before-the-britishers-influenced-it/?amp

[3] ttps://www.lapolo.in/blog/manipur-beginning-modern-polo/

[4] ttp://e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Manipuri_Polo&ch=manipur&sub1=Sports_and_Manipur

[5] ttps://www.thehindu.com/society/polos-forgotten-matriarchs/article25919688.ece/amp/

[6] ttps://www.nativeplanet.com/imphal/attractions/polo-ground/

[7] ttps://sportztalk.com/exploring-the-worlds-oldest-polo-ground/

[8] ttps://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/manipur-the-place-where-polo-was-born/story-uyfQePncOT6QVn42yw0ytI_amp.html

[9] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/amp/news/exploring-the-world-s-oldest-polo-ground.html

[SAGOL-KANGJEI-10] 10.0 ^10.1 https://themanipurpage.tripod.com/history/sagolkangjei.html

[11] ttp://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#marjing

[lapolo.in-12] 12.0 ^12.1 https://www.lapolo.in/blog/manipuri-mythology-polo/

[13] ttps://m.timesofindia.com/city/guwahati/us-museum-unveils-exhibit-on-manipur-polo-history/articleshow/17306801.cms

[14] ttps://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/italian-seal-on-manipur-polo-origin-milan-based-writer-to-visit-imphal-to-collect-material-for-book-on-game-s-history/cid/791135

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