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Sagol kāngjei

January 01, 1970

This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.

Sagol Kangjei (Meitei: ꯁꯒꯣꯜ ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩ, romanized: sagol kāngjei, lit. 'horse hockey') (also Sakol Kangchei,[1] Shakol Kangchei, Shagol Kangjei[2]) is a traditional Meitei ball sport played on horseback with a long-handled stick. The sport, also known as Manipuri polo, is a predecessor of modern international polo.

Sagol kangjei
The illustration of the traditional Meitei game of Sagol Kangjei in a postage stamp of India
NicknamesGame of Kings, Horse Hockey, Sakol Kangchei, Shakol Kangchei, Shagol Kangjei
First playedc. 3100 BCE
Characteristics
Mixed-sexno
Typeequestrian sport
Presence
Country or regionManipur, India
Olympicno
World Championshipsyes
Paralympicno
World Gamesno
Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest statue of a polo player, dedicated to Meitei polo deity Marjing, built in the sport's birthplace, shown during the G20 summit.[3]

History and myth edit

Manipuri polo is one of the world's oldest sports, with some historians claiming it was first played c. 3100BCE in the ancient Meitei kingdom of Kangleipak.[4] Sagol kāngjei is a traditional Meitei form of polo and the ancestor of the modern game.[5] In Meitei mythology and folklore, sagol kāngjei was played by the gods led by Marjing and Thangjing.[6][7]

In the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Royal Chronicle of Kangleipak, sagol kāngjei was not only a sport, but used as an instrument of diplomacy, politics, and palace intrigue.[8] According to the Kangjeirol (Meitei: ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩꯔꯣꯜ), another ancient Meitei language text, polo was played during the reign of King Ningthou Kangba (1405-1397/1359 BCE) of Kangleipak. Kangba organized a polo matches to be played by his officials.[8][9] During reign of King Khagemba (1597-1652 CE) sagol kāngjei was popularised and the rules were revised.[8]

Sagol kāngjei was introduced to the British officers at Cachar, Assam by Sir Chandrakirti Singh (1834–44 CE), the then ruler of Manipur.[8][4]

Description edit

Sagol kāngjei is a form of polo, a ball game resembling hockey,[8] played on a Manipuri pony (Meitei: ꯁꯒꯣꯜ, romanized: sagol), a traditional breed standing 11-13 hands, with a long-handled stick or mallet (ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩ, kāngjei).[5][6] The kāngjei is made of seasoned cane. It has a narrow angled wooden head, which is fixed at its striking end.[8] The polo ball is solid, made of bamboo root[10] and is generally 10cm in diameter.[11]

 
Sagol Kangjei – Polo in Manipur

The game is played between two teams of seven players, which are referred to as the northern team and the southern team. Both of the teams have seven players each. The playing field is usually rectangular in shape, around 210 yards (190 m) long and 100 yards (91 m) wide. Players may only strike the ball with their mallets. There are no goal posts. A goal is scored when the ball crosses the end line.[8]

Sangol kāngjei is one of the three types of Meitei kāngjei (or hockey), with the other two types being foot hockey (ꯈꯣꯡ ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩ, khong kāngjei) and hockey with wrestling (ꯃꯨꯛꯅꯥ ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩ, muknā kāngjei).[8][6]

Uniforms and equipment edit

Players typically wear short-sleeved jackets in their team's colours and white dhotis tucked up above their knees. A traditional Manipuri turban, or kokyet, held by a khadangchet completes the look. Leg guards (khongyon) are used to protect the shins and the calves and more guards (khuning khang) protect the heels and the ankles, but the players' feet are bare.

Saddles are made of decorated leather, attached to a wooden frame called ukang khe. The stirrup has a flat base with a narrow foothold. A snaffle bit (chanam caru) is used.[8]

International competitions edit

Manipur International Polo attracts teams from nations including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mongolia, Morocco, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay, competing with the team of players from Manipur.[12][13][14][15][16]

The Manipur Statehood Day Women's Polo Tournament is the first and the only international women's polo tournament organized in India.[17][18][19]

Some important sites edit

Two of the world's oldest polo grounds are the Inner Polo Ground, located inside Kangla Fort in Imphal and the nearby Imphal Polo Ground. Historically, the Inner Polo Ground was reserved for Meitei royals and nobles.[20][21][22][23]

The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex, dedicated to Marjing, the Meitei god of horses and polo. It was built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, the mythical abode of Marjing.[24][25] It includes the Marjing Polo Statue, is the world's tallest statue of a mounted polo player.[26] It was built to commemorate the Manipur as the birthplace of modern polo.[27][28][29]

Also on Heingang Ching, there is a shrine dedicated to the god Marjing, where devotees, including polo players, offer prayers, and perform rites and rituals in his honor.[30] Devotees offer polo mallets, balls,[31] and replicas of polo ponies to the god,[32] making the temple a storehouse of small, white horse figurines, red and white polo mallets, and pictures of horses.[33][34]

In popular culture edit

Gallery edit

  •  
    Manipur Polo Players 1875.jpg
  •  
    Sagol Kangjei match.JPG
  •  
    Traditional Polo in Manipur India.jpg

References edit

  1. ^ "Discovery of Kangleipak 1". Retrieved 2023-12-10. ...Polo (Kanglei indigenous people called Sakol Kangchei)...
  2. ^ Press, Imphal Free (2014-09-28). "Manipuri Ponies are critically endangered – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2023-12-10. ... the rally was carried out to save the Manipuri pony from extinction because it has given an identity to Manipur through Shagol Kangjei and Polo.
  3. ^ "Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur". pib.gov.in. Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  4. ^ a b Aldous, David (2014-06-17). International Turf Management. Routledge. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-317-84491-4. The early sport of polo, which also involves horse and rider, had its origins in Manipur State, India, circa. 3100 BC when it was played at Sagol Kangjei. Polo was introduced to England from India in 1869 and now has a keen following in the United States, Argentina and Australia.
  5. ^ a b Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. APD. p. 1558. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
  6. ^ a b c Agarwal, M. K. (2012). From Bharata to India: Volume 1: Chrysee the Golden. Universe. p. 351. ISBN 978-1-4759-0765-0.
  7. ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (2019-06-16). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. LP. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Sagol Kangjei". Indian Culture. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  9. ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). GPH. p. 701. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
  10. ^ Ghosh, G. K. (2008). Bamboo: The Wonderful Grass. APH. p. 108. ISBN 978-81-313-0369-6.
  11. ^ "Manipuri Polo". e-pao.net. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Manipur lift Polo International trophy". www.thepeopleschronicle.in.
  13. ^ "Manipur USA win in Manipur Polo International". UNI India.
  14. ^ "Manipur lifts Polo International Trophy defeating England". UNI India.
  15. ^ "India B wins Manipur International polo tournament – The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. November 2017.
  16. ^ "11th Manipur International Polo Tournament". POLO+10 The Polo Magazine. 19 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Manipur celebrates Statehood Day with first international women's polo tournament". DNA India. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  18. ^ "1st Manipur Statehood Day Women Polo Tournament 20160114". Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  19. ^ Correspondent (2010-09-15). "1st Manipur Statehood Day Women's Polo". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  20. ^ "Manipuri Pony". International Museum of the Horse. These consist of the Manung Kangjeibung (inner polo ground), within the ramparts of the Kangla Fort, where only royalty and noblemen were allowed to play. This may be the world's oldest polo ground.
  21. ^ "Polo Ground, Imphal".
    —"Exploring The World's Oldest Polo Ground". 2022-01-05.
  22. ^ "Manipur: The place where polo was born?". Hindustan Times. 2014-12-21.
  23. ^ "Exploring the World's Oldest Polo Ground". 2019-03-25.
  24. ^ NEWS, NE NOW (2018-03-25). "Manipur CM N Biren Singh inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  25. ^ "Chief Minister Biren inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex; says Polo ground will also be constructed at the hillock shortly". Impact. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  26. ^ "World's tallest polo statue to be constructed in Mnp | Nagaland Post". 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  27. ^ "Manipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Unveils 122-feet-tall Polo Statue In Imphal | Ukhrul Times". 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  28. ^ "120 feet Polo Statue to be Build [sic] in Manipur, the Birthplace of the Sport". News18. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  29. ^ Today, North East (2022-11-17). "Construction Of Much-Awaited 120-Ft-Tall Effigy Of 'Sagol Kangjei' Completed; Upholds Historical Significance Of Polo Sport". Northeast Today. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  30. ^ "Imphal tourist park coming up at birth place of polo".
  31. ^ "Recreational Park – Manipur Tourism". Government of Manipur. Retrieved 2023-11-22. Situated near the heritage center Ibudhou Marjing at Heingang, the complex serves as an offering to the God of the Chenglei, Marjing, to whom the Kangjei (Polo-stick) along with the ball (Kangdrum) are continued to be offered during worship. Marijing befits as the centre of polo tourism.
  32. ^ "Marjing Complex, Heingangching" (PDF). manipur.gov.in. Government of Manipur. p. 15. At Heingangching, there is the temple of Marjing where every year replica of pony and polo mallet is offered to the Lord.
  33. ^ "How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies". GBH. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  34. ^ "How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies".

Further reading edit

  • "1st CHIEF MINISTER'S SAGOL KANGJEI CHAMPIONSHIP 2022". Manipur.MyGov.in. 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "CM Biren kicks off 1st Chief Minister's Sagol Kangjei championship". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Historical perspective of Sagol Kangjei 1". Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Saving Manipuri pony & polo". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Sagol Kangjei- The Traditional Manipuri Polo". CYS. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "SAGOL-KANGJEI". TMP. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Sagol Kangjei (Manipur, India) – Traditional Sports". TS. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Recently, Union Home Minister inaugurated a 122-foot-high Sagol Kangjei (Polo) Statue at the Ibudhou Marjing complex at Heingang in Imphal". VIAS. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Indigenous Game of Manipur". Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "29-11-2014: Indian Postage stamp on Sagol Kangjei – Indian Stamps". Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  • "Sagol Kangjei: The ancient polo of Manipur, played on the celebrated Manipur Pony". The Indian Express. 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2023-12-30.


 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sagol Kangjei.
 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Polo in Manipur.

January 01, 1970
sagol, kāngjei, this, article, contains, meitei, alphabet, without, proper, rendering, support, errors, display, sagol, kangjei, meitei, ꯁꯒ, ꯡꯖ, romanized, sagol, kāngjei, horse, hockey, also, sakol, kangchei, shakol, kangchei, shagol, kangjei, traditional, me. This article contains the Meitei alphabet Without proper rendering support you may see errors in display Sagol Kangjei Meitei ꯁꯒ ꯜ ꯀ ꯡꯖ romanized sagol kangjei lit horse hockey also Sakol Kangchei 1 Shakol Kangchei Shagol Kangjei 2 is a traditional Meitei ball sport played on horseback with a long handled stick The sport also known as Manipuri polo is a predecessor of modern international polo Sagol kangjeiThe illustration of the traditional Meitei game of Sagol Kangjei in a postage stamp of IndiaNicknamesGame of Kings Horse Hockey Sakol Kangchei Shakol Kangchei Shagol KangjeiFirst playedc 3100 BCECharacteristicsMixed sexnoTypeequestrian sportPresenceCountry or regionManipur IndiaOlympicnoWorld ChampionshipsyesParalympicnoWorld Gamesno Marjing Polo Statue the world s tallest statue of a polo player dedicated to Meitei polo deity Marjing built in the sport s birthplace shown during the G20 summit 3 Contents 1 History and myth 2 Description 3 Uniforms and equipment 4 International competitions 5 Some important sites 6 In popular culture 7 Gallery 8 References 9 Further readingHistory and myth editManipuri polo is one of the world s oldest sports with some historians claiming it was first played c 3100BCE in the ancient Meitei kingdom of Kangleipak 4 Sagol kangjei is a traditional Meitei form of polo and the ancestor of the modern game 5 In Meitei mythology and folklore sagol kangjei was played by the gods led by Marjing and Thangjing 6 7 In the Cheitharol Kumbaba the Royal Chronicle of Kangleipak sagol kangjei was not only a sport but used as an instrument of diplomacy politics and palace intrigue 8 According to the Kangjeirol Meitei ꯀ ꯡꯖ ꯔ ꯜ another ancient Meitei language text polo was played during the reign of King Ningthou Kangba 1405 1397 1359 BCE of Kangleipak Kangba organized a polo matches to be played by his officials 8 9 During reign of King Khagemba 1597 1652 CE sagol kangjei was popularised and the rules were revised 8 Sagol kangjei was introduced to the British officers at Cachar Assam by Sir Chandrakirti Singh 1834 44 CE the then ruler of Manipur 8 4 Description editSagol kangjei is a form of polo a ball game resembling hockey 8 played on a Manipuri pony Meitei ꯁꯒ ꯜ romanized sagol a traditional breed standing 11 13 hands with a long handled stick or mallet ꯀ ꯡꯖ kangjei 5 6 The kangjei is made of seasoned cane It has a narrow angled wooden head which is fixed at its striking end 8 The polo ball is solid made of bamboo root 10 and is generally 10cm in diameter 11 nbsp Sagol Kangjei Polo in Manipur The game is played between two teams of seven players which are referred to as the northern team and the southern team Both of the teams have seven players each The playing field is usually rectangular in shape around 210 yards 190 m long and 100 yards 91 m wide Players may only strike the ball with their mallets There are no goal posts A goal is scored when the ball crosses the end line 8 Sangol kangjei is one of the three types of Meitei kangjei or hockey with the other two types being foot hockey ꯈ ꯡ ꯀ ꯡꯖ khong kangjei and hockey with wrestling ꯃ ꯛꯅ ꯀ ꯡꯖ mukna kangjei 8 6 Uniforms and equipment editPlayers typically wear short sleeved jackets in their team s colours and white dhotis tucked up above their knees A traditional Manipuri turban or kokyet held by a khadangchet completes the look Leg guards khongyon are used to protect the shins and the calves and more guards khuning khang protect the heels and the ankles but the players feet are bare Saddles are made of decorated leather attached to a wooden frame called ukang khe The stirrup has a flat base with a narrow foothold A snaffle bit chanam caru is used 8 International competitions editManipur International Polo attracts teams from nations including Argentina Australia Canada Egypt France Germany Haiti India Kenya Mongolia Morocco Poland South Africa Thailand United Kingdom United States and Uruguay competing with the team of players from Manipur 12 13 14 15 16 The Manipur Statehood Day Women s Polo Tournament is the first and the only international women s polo tournament organized in India 17 18 19 Some important sites editTwo of the world s oldest polo grounds are the Inner Polo Ground located inside Kangla Fort in Imphal and the nearby Imphal Polo Ground Historically the Inner Polo Ground was reserved for Meitei royals and nobles 20 21 22 23 The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex dedicated to Marjing the Meitei god of horses and polo It was built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching the mythical abode of Marjing 24 25 It includes the Marjing Polo Statue is the world s tallest statue of a mounted polo player 26 It was built to commemorate the Manipur as the birthplace of modern polo 27 28 29 Also on Heingang Ching there is a shrine dedicated to the god Marjing where devotees including polo players offer prayers and perform rites and rituals in his honor 30 Devotees offer polo mallets balls 31 and replicas of polo ponies to the god 32 making the temple a storehouse of small white horse figurines red and white polo mallets and pictures of horses 33 34 In popular culture editDaughters of the Polo God Eigi Kona Manipuri PonyGallery edit nbsp Manipur Polo Players 1875 jpg nbsp Sagol Kangjei match JPG nbsp Traditional Polo in Manipur India jpgReferences edit Discovery of Kangleipak 1 Retrieved 2023 12 10 Polo Kanglei indigenous people called Sakol Kangchei Press Imphal Free 2014 09 28 Manipuri Ponies are critically endangered KanglaOnline Retrieved 2023 12 10 the rally was carried out to save the Manipuri pony from extinction because it has given an identity to Manipur through Shagol Kangjei and Polo Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur pib gov in Press Information Bureau PIB Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India Retrieved 2023 12 10 a b Aldous David 2014 06 17 International Turf Management Routledge p 9 ISBN 978 1 317 84491 4 The early sport of polo which also involves horse and rider had its origins in Manipur State India circa 3100 BC when it was played at Sagol Kangjei Polo was introduced to England from India in 1869 and now has a keen following in the United States Argentina and Australia a b Prakash Col Ved 2007 Encyclopaedia of North East India APD p 1558 ISBN 978 81 269 0706 9 a b c Agarwal M K 2012 From Bharata to India Volume 1 Chrysee the Golden Universe p 351 ISBN 978 1 4759 0765 0 Devi Dr Yumlembam Gopi 2019 06 16 Glimpses of Manipuri Culture LP p 21 ISBN 978 0 359 72919 7 a b c d e f g h i Sagol Kangjei Indian Culture Ministry of Culture Government of India Retrieved 2023 12 10 Lisam Khomdan Singh 2011 Encyclopaedia Of Manipur 3 Vol GPH p 701 ISBN 978 81 7835 864 2 Ghosh G K 2008 Bamboo The Wonderful Grass APH p 108 ISBN 978 81 313 0369 6 Manipuri Polo e pao net Retrieved 22 February 2024 Manipur lift Polo International trophy www thepeopleschronicle in Manipur USA win in Manipur Polo International UNI India Manipur lifts Polo International Trophy defeating England UNI India India B wins Manipur International polo tournament The New Indian Express www newindianexpress com November 2017 11th Manipur International Polo Tournament POLO 10 The Polo Magazine 19 December 2017 Manipur celebrates Statehood Day with first international women s polo tournament DNA India Retrieved 2023 12 11 1st Manipur Statehood Day Women Polo Tournament 20160114 Retrieved 2023 12 11 Correspondent 2010 09 15 1st Manipur Statehood Day Women s Polo assamtribune com Retrieved 2023 12 11 Manipuri Pony International Museum of the Horse These consist of the Manung Kangjeibung inner polo ground within the ramparts of the Kangla Fort where only royalty and noblemen were allowed to play This may be the world s oldest polo ground Polo Ground Imphal Exploring The World s Oldest Polo Ground 2022 01 05 Manipur The place where polo was born Hindustan Times 2014 12 21 Exploring the World s Oldest Polo Ground 2019 03 25 NEWS NE NOW 2018 03 25 Manipur CM N Biren Singh inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal NORTHEAST NOW Retrieved 2023 11 22 Chief Minister Biren inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex says Polo ground will also be constructed at the hillock shortly Impact Retrieved 2023 11 22 World s tallest polo statue to be constructed in Mnp Nagaland Post 2016 04 28 Retrieved 2023 11 22 Manipur Union Home Minister Amit Shah Unveils 122 feet tall Polo Statue In Imphal Ukhrul Times 2023 01 06 Retrieved 2023 11 22 120 feet Polo Statue to be Build sic in Manipur the Birthplace of the Sport News18 2022 07 05 Retrieved 2023 11 22 Today North East 2022 11 17 Construction Of Much Awaited 120 Ft Tall Effigy Of Sagol Kangjei Completed Upholds Historical Significance Of Polo Sport Northeast Today Retrieved 2023 11 22 Imphal tourist park coming up at birth place of polo Recreational Park Manipur Tourism Government of Manipur Retrieved 2023 11 22 Situated near the heritage center Ibudhou Marjing at Heingang the complex serves as an offering to the God of the Chenglei Marjing to whom the Kangjei Polo stick along with the ball Kangdrum are continued to be offered during worship Marijing befits as the centre of polo tourism Marjing Complex Heingangching PDF manipur gov in Government of Manipur p 15 At Heingangching there is the temple of Marjing where every year replica of pony and polo mallet is offered to the Lord How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies GBH 2017 01 13 Retrieved 2023 11 22 How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies Further reading edit 1st CHIEF MINISTER S SAGOL KANGJEI CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 Manipur MyGov in 2022 11 30 Retrieved 2023 12 30 CM Biren kicks off 1st Chief Minister s Sagol Kangjei championship Imphal Free Press Retrieved 2023 12 30 Historical perspective of Sagol Kangjei 1 Retrieved 2023 12 30 Saving Manipuri pony amp polo www thesangaiexpress com Retrieved 2023 12 30 Sagol Kangjei The Traditional Manipuri Polo CYS Retrieved 2023 12 30 SAGOL KANGJEI TMP Retrieved 2023 12 30 Sagol Kangjei Manipur India Traditional Sports TS Retrieved 2023 12 30 Recently Union Home Minister inaugurated a 122 foot high Sagol Kangjei Polo Statue at the Ibudhou Marjing complex at Heingang in Imphal VIAS Retrieved 2023 12 30 Indigenous Game of Manipur Retrieved 2023 12 30 29 11 2014 Indian Postage stamp on Sagol Kangjei Indian Stamps Retrieved 2023 12 30 Sagol Kangjei The ancient polo of Manipur played on the celebrated Manipur Pony The Indian Express 2023 01 06 Retrieved 2023 12 30 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sagol Kangjei nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Polo in Manipur Portals nbsp India nbsp Sports Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sagol kangjei amp oldid 1217449971, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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