The Origin of POLO game.

The modern game of polo, though formalized and popularized by the British, is derived from Manipur (now a state in India) who played the game known as 'Sagol Kangjei', 'Kanjai-bazee', or 'Pulu'. It was the anglicised form of the latter, referring to the wooden ball which was used, that was adopted by the sport in its slow spread to the west. The first polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam, India, in 1834.

The origins of the game in Manipur are traced to early precursors of Sagol Kangjei. This was one of three forms of hockey in Manipur, the other ones being field hockey (called Khong Kangjei) and wrestling-hockey (called Mukna Kangjei). Local rituals such as those connected to the Marjing, the Winged-Pony God of Polo and the creation-ritual episodes of the Lai Haraoba festival enacting the life of his son, Khori-Phaba, the polo-playing god of sports. These may indicate an origin prior to the historical records of Manipur, which go back to the 1st Century A.D.In 1834 the first polo club, Calcutta Polo Club was established by two British soldiers, Captain Robert Stewart and Major General Joe Shearer.[12] Later they spread the game to their peers in England. The British are credited with spreading polo worldwide in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Military officers imported the game to Britain in the 1860s. The establishment of polo clubs throughout England and western Europe followed after the formal codification of rules.[11] The 10th Hussars at Aldershot, Hants, introduced polo to England in 1834. The game's governing body in the United Kingdom is the Hurlingham Polo Association, which drew up the first set of formal British rules in 1874, many of which are still in existence.

Meanwhile, British settlers in the Argentine pampas started practicing it during their free time. Among them, David Shennan is credited to having organized the first formal polo game of the country in 1875. The sport spread fast between the skillful gauchos and several clubs opened in the following years in the towns of Venado Tuerto, Cañada de Gómez, Quilmes, Flores and later (1888) Hurlingham. In 1892 The River Plate Polo Association is founded and constitutes the basis for the actual Asociación Argentina de Polo. In the Olympic Games held in Paris in 1924 a team composed by Juan Miles, Enrique Padilla, Juan Nelson, Arturo Kenny, G. Brooke Naylor y A. Peña obtained the gold medal; this also occurred in Berlín 1936 with players Manuel Andrada, Andrés Gazzotti, Roberto Cavanagh, Luis Duggan, Juan Nelson, Diego Cavanagh and Enrique Alberdi. From then on, the game spread powerfully across the country and Argentina is credited globally as the mecca of polo.

The game polo.

In Manipur, polo is traditionally played with seven players to a side. The players are mounted on the indigenous Manipuri pony, which stands less than 13 hands high. There are no goal posts and a player scored simply by hitting the ball out of either end of the field. Players were also permitted to carry the ball, though that allowed opponents to physically tackle players when they do so. The sticks were made of cane and the balls were made from the roots of bamboo. Colorful cloth pom-poms dangle at sensitive and vulnerable spots around the anatomy of the ponies in order to protect them. Players protected their legs by attaching leather shields to their saddles and girths.
In Manipur, the game was not merely a "rich" game but was played even by commoners who owned a pony. The kings of Manipur had a royal polo ground within the ramparts of their Kangla Fort. Here they played Manung Kangjei Bung (literally, "Inner Polo Ground”). Public games were held, as they are still today, at the Mapan Kangjei Bung (literally "Outer Polo Ground”), a polo ground just outside the Kangla. Weekly games called Hapta Kangjei (Weekly Polo) were also played in a polo ground outside the current Palace.
 In 1834 the first polo club, Calcutta Polo Club was established by two British soldiers, Captain Robert Stewart and Major General Joe Shearer. Later they spread the game to their peers in England. The British are credited with spreading polo worldwide in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Military officers imported the game to Britain in the 1860s. The establishment of polo clubs throughout England and western Europe followed after the formal codification of rules. The 10th Hussars at Aldershot, Hants, introduced polo to England in 1834. The game's governing body in the United Kingdom is the Hurlingham Polo Association, which drew up the first set of formal British rules in 1874, many of which are still in existence.

Meanwhile, British settlers in the Argentine pampas started practicing it during their free time. Among them, David Shennan is credited to having organized the first formal polo game of the country in 1875. The sport spread fast between the skillful gauchos and several clubs opened in the following years in the towns of Venado Tuerto, Cañada de Gómez, Quilmes, Flores and later (1888) Hurlingham. In 1892 The River Plate Polo Association is founded and constitutes the basis for the actual Asociación Argentina de Polo. In the Olympic Games held in Paris in 1924 a team composed by Juan Miles, Enrique Padilla, Juan Nelson, Arturo Kenny, G. Brooke Naylor y A. Peña obtained the gold medal; this also occurred in Berlín 1936 with players Manuel Andrada, Andrés Gazzotti, Roberto Cavanagh, Luis Duggan, Juan Nelson, Diego Cavanagh and Enrique Alberdi. From then on, the game spread powerfully across the country and Argentina is credited globally as the mecca of polo.
 The thing of concern is the care we need to popularize this game where it starts......

Courtesy wikipedia.

DISCOVERY OF MANIPUR AND MANIPURI

Manipur is a small state located in the north-eastern region of India covering an area of about 22,327 sq.Km.. Imphal, it is the capital of Manipur. The altitute of imphal above the sea level is 790 meters. The altitute of the whole state ranges between 781 meters to 2,020 meters.
Manipur had been an independent princely country till the year 1891. Which is being surrounded on all sides by ranges of enchanting hills. Manipur has natural scenic beauty per excellance. Prides of Manipur include POLO game, Manipur Dance, Loktak Lake Handloom Products, Siroy Lily,Ema Keithel(Market run exclusively by women) and the Manipur Language etc.
The present Manipur, an Eastern most tiny constituent State of the Indian union to the western boarder of the Myanmar, was an Independent Sovereign Country upto the advent of Hinduism in the beginning of the 18th century A.D., in all probable meanings of the concept of 'Sovereignty'.
The tiny country became a Hindu State after Pamheiba (Name by the Indigenous People) Garivaniwaz (by the Hindu Immigrants) became king of Kangleipak in 1709 A.D. (1714 A.D. by the English writers). He changed the Country's name of Kangleipak to Manipur, though it was not effective. But by the time of king Jai Singh Bhagyachandra about in 1760 A.D., Manipur became almost effective name of the country. One of the ugliest forms of Vandalisms during the reign of Pamheiba Garivaniwaz was Puya Meithaba in which all written documents of the country including scriptures called Puya were burnt down on the Advice of the king's Dharma Guru, Santi Das Gossai, a Bengali from West Bengal, India which was a foreigner at that point of time since Manipur was a princely State or Country.

Meeteilon or Meiteilon popularly known as Manipuri is the major language of Manipur and also its official language. Besides, it is the only linked language among different tribes and people of Manipur.

The people of this land are also term as the Manipuri. The people here are brave, ready to sacrifice for the good cause of other and peace loving peoples.

To be contd.....

Surprise to other when we talk about Manipuri!

Blog lovers!

Manipuris are peace loving peoples!!

Manipuri is a language spoken in this land!!!

Manipuri stand for people of different religion!!!!

Hoho acting on agenda scripted by Muivah :

KNewmai News Network

Dimapur, May 17: The NSCN-K or GPRN/NSCN has said today that the Naga Hoho, once regarded as the epitome of Naga ingenuity, maturity and statesmanship, has suddenly turned into a group of wanton boys throwing flaming balls into the neighborhood in accordance to the script written by Th Muivah. In a statemenmt made available to Newmai News Network late tonight, the NSCN-K said that while every Naga expects its apex body to act responsibly with sound judgment even in the most compelling circumstance, Naga Hoho has miserably failed to display maturity and elderly wisdom. The Naga Hoho is not a Naga Hoho in the truest sense of the term since it comprises less than half of the Naga tribes in the State of Nagaland. It must be answerable to Eastern Naga Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) and other non-affiliated tribes in Nagaland and other States for attempting to fan anger over a tiny issue, tarnishing the image of Nagas in the eyes of the neighbors and Naga well-wishers across the globe.The NSCN-K said that the press statements issued by the Naga Hoho recently have created wider rift among the Nagas and also created much apprehension in the neighboring States. On May 9 , the Naga Hoho, in the daily papers screamed “Manipur Government’s Open Declaration of War Against the Nagas!” said the statement and added NSCN-K or GPRN/NSCN would simply comment that only a group of men having hidden agenda would attempt to whip up people’s sentiments and emotions to suit their own interest. "True, it was unfortunate that precious lives were lost, however instead of declaring vengeance against Manipur State on behalf of the Naga people, the Naga Hoho need to first calm down and look at what had transpired preceding the incident. If Manipur Govt accuses Muivah of committing heinous crimes in the State of Manipur, does it merit the Naga Hoho to unilaterally declared war on behalf of all Nagas against Manipur State? Will it not be wise on the part of the Naga Hoho to first investigate whether the accusations against Th Muivah are fabricated or factually true? The situation was clearly planned and death, destruction of lives and property was expected. The Naga Hoho failed to exercise its wisdom and when blood was on the wall, it called for war. Understandably, innocent public were simply blackmailed and placed as shooting targets for Manipur police commandos. Who first initiated the bloody walk? Who is to be blamed?," the NSCN-K asked. Perhaps Naga Hoho has the answer, it added.It said that despite the war rhetoric of the Naga Hoho, GPRN/NSCN (NSCN-K) appealed for calm both in Nagaland and Manipur State. Nagas and Manipuris have lived together for centuries in mutual respect. There is no reason why this camaraderie and bonhomie should abruptly end. All Naga and Manipuri leading organizations must realize that a man’s entry or exit from his native village is not worth a battle let alone war. What Naga people want the Naga Hoho to do is to let the father and son solve own domestic issue, the NSCN-K said. "How many arms and man do HK Zhimomi, Naga Hoho Speaker and Mr Chuba Ozukum, General Secretary have at their disposal to wage war against Manipur Government?", the NSCN-K asked. GPRN/NSCN or NSCN-K along with all right thinking Nagas will insist that based on what they declared in the media, the duo should bear full responsibility should Manipur State resort to violence against the Nagas, the NSCN-K added. "Fortunately, both Nagas and Manipuris are matured enough people not easily taken in by highly inflammable comments of the Naga Hoho. Sixty years of political struggle against occupational forces should not be equated with petty domestic issues of Manipur State. Sovereignty of the Naga people is not with Manipur State Government. GPRN/NSCN and the Naga people understands that Mr Th Muivah visiting or not his native village in Manipur has never been, is not, will never be a Naga-Manipur problem," it said. The outfit said that the NSCN-K is shocked to read in the media about the Naga Hoho expressing gratitude to Joint Working Group (JWG), comprising of GPRN/NSCN, IM, FGN, on May 16, for supporting Th Muivah’s visit to his native village. "This is highly illogical, utterly twisted, unbecom-ing of a regarded platform. It reflects the lack of wisdom in the Naga Hoho. Therefore, the question of supporting or not supporting Th Muivah’s trip to his village in Manipur State does not arise. Such naked lies should be avoided in future. While deeply regretting the loss of lives and injury to many, NSCN-K conveys condolence to victims’ families and wishes for speedy recovery.

Courtesy http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-02.html

The Manipuri

Manipuri is a language spoken in Manipur, a small state in the North Eastern India. Sometimes people living in this state are also known as Manipuri. The Manipuri language (or Meiteilon), which is one of the scheduled languages of India and spoken in some parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Manipuri uses two scripts; the first is one purely of its own origins called the Meetie Mayek while another one is a borrowed Bengali script.

Manipuri is a Tibeto-Burman (TB) language which is highly agglutinative in nature, mono-syllabic, influenced and enriched by the Indo-Aryan languages of Sanskrit origin and English. The affixes play the most important role in the structure of the language. A clear-cut demarcation between morphology and syntax is not possible in this language. In Manipuri, words are formed in three processes called affixation, derivation and compounding. The majority of the roots found in the language are bound and the affixes are the determining factor of the class of the words in the language.

-Kishorjit Nongmeikapam