saLT

the-south-asian Life & Times                       April-June 2011

Home

 

 Editor's Note
 

 Cover Story
 Polo

 Team India Readies
 for World Cup 2011

 India's Foursome

 Golden Age of Polo
 in India
 

 Lifestyle
 Rare & Royal Classics
 

 Aviation
 Dalip Singh Majithia
 - the First Landing
 in Nepal

 The First Aerial Shots
 of Mt. Everest

 Trivandrum's New
 Terminal
 

 
 Travel Destination

 Jim's Jungle Retreat
 

 Society

 The Kalasha

 Lakshan Bibi
 

 Wildlife
 Tiger-Sightings in
 Corbett

 Corbett Wildlife
 by Majid Hussain

 Sport

 Somdev Devvarman

 Comment
 By O P Dutta

   about us              back-issues           contact us         search             data bank

  craft shop

print gallery

The Golden Age of Polo in India

-Some Highlights!

 Information on the following events was derived from various sources, including ‘Polo in India’ by Jaisal Singh (Published by Roli Books); The Illustrated London Weekly; ‘Polo in India’ by S. Singh (Published by Roli Books); and several archived articles in private collections.

Maharaj Prem Singh once scored a 2-shot goal over 300 yards – an unbeaten record.

Sir Pratap – The Grand Old Man of Indian Polo

It was in 1897 that the first Indian polo team, led by Sir Pratap Singh of Jodhpur, went abroad to compete in a tournament and won the Roehampton & Champions Cup.

Sir Pratap, also known as the Grand Old Man of Indian Polo, is credited to have designed, what has been the fashion statement on Parisian ramps and catwalks – the ‘Jodhpurs’ – a special riding trouser. His son Rao Raja Hanut Singh (9 handicap) became one of the most talked-about, respected, and celebrated figures in the world of polo - one of the finest players India has produced. His polo career spanned over 50 years and he played off a handicap of +9 for thirty years!!! 

The Most Memorable Game Played in Delhi – the heart of Indian polo

Delhi has always remained the home and heart of winter polo season in India. The most memorable game played in this grand city was undoubtedly the one in 1922 – on the occasion of the Prince of Wales’ visit to India. It was the final of a tournament organized in the honour of the visiting Prince. The final match was played between Patiala and Jodhpur before a record crowd of 100,000, against the backdrop of the Red Fort. The match was significant not because it was being played in royal presence but for other reasons – best described by Rao Raja Hanut Singh, who considered this match his greatest game ever.

Read the entire article in the print edition
subscribe@the-south-asian.com

Disclaimer

Copyright © 2000 - 2011 [the-south-asian.com]. Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

Home