“Sagol Kangjei” is derived from the two Manipuri words ‘Sagol’ for horse and ‘Kangjei’ for hooking stick. Lt. Joseph Ford Sherer, who was instrumental in introducing the sport to Europeans, in 1859, as a young lieutenant and adjutant of the 44th (Sylhet) Regiment of (Bengal) Native (Light Infantry), along with Captain Robert Stewart, Superintendent of Cachar, founded a European Polo Club. Five years later, in the year 1864, Sherer and his team of seven Manipuri men nicknamed ‘The Brothers’ took the game to Calcutta where it immediately became very popular.
George Frederick Samuel Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon, former Viceroy of India, while speaking in the British parliament (House of Lords) on 22nd June 1891, described Manipur as the birth place of Polo. The story behind the origin of the game in Manipur is very interesting. King Kangha, who reigned Manipur in 3300 B.C., is believed to have....
