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.
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]
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 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
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]
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]
^ abAldous, David (2014-06-17). International Turf Management. Routledge. p. 9. ISBN978-1-317-84491-4. 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.
^"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.
^"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.
