Polo Player Captain Malone British India Era, 1890 Photo
An 1890 photo of Captain Malone a polo player in the British India era. The exact location is not sure very likely Calcutta (Kolkata), Hyderabad, or even Madras (Chennai). All these three places along with Jaipur and Jodhpur were great polo-playing regions. With polo stick in hand, Englishman Captain Malone looks all set to take a swing at the game. The captain, a British Indian Army officer, like other soldiers in the military, were encouraged to play polo and other field games.
Also visible are two Indian servants holding the reins of the horses. Two polo sticks with a puck are shown on the right side of the photo. The sport was thought to have originated in Manipur. Two English army men visited Manipur in 1860 and observed the game with great fascination played by locals on horseback. After their return to Calcutta, they being professional horsemen further improved on the game. Eventually making it a bit more smoother and exciting. Thus began the fast game of modern polo in India.
Read more- History of Polo.
Did you know- Jodhpurs are horse riding pants that first originated in the city of Jodhpur
From the collection- British Family In Bullock Cart – Old Postcard 1900,. Inauguration Of Parliament Building Delhi – Old Photo 1929., Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Cavalcade – Old Print 1888., The French Colonies In India – Vintage Card 1920
