British Polo Team In Madras, 1888 Photo
An 1888 photo of the British Government House Polo team, Madras (Chennai). The Government House located at Guindy is now the Raj Bhavan. With its wide expanse of ground of 400 acres, it was the ideal place for playing polo. The British brought to India many games like, tennis, football, hockey, cricket etc. Also horseracing, billiards, snooker, bridge, table tennis, etc.
They evidently gave much importance to sports and games. Other popular sports for the British included tiger shooting, fox hunting, pig-sticking, and tent pegging. Ladies of Victorian India were not behind in games and sports but it was a quieter affair. Photos depict them playing badminton, tennis, riding, rowing, and fishing.
Getting back to polo it was the sport of British officers and maharajas. But every member of the Indian Civil Service had to be able to ride a horse. The first Western players appear to have been European tea planters in Assam. They had learned it in the Northeastern state of Manipur. Looking on in this photo possibly after a game of polo are four players of the Government House, Madras on horseback posing under a huge banyan tree. Click on the photo for better view.
See post British India Polo Player Captain Malone – Old Photo 1890., and Britishers At A Badminton Party India – Old 1880 Photo.
Did you know- that chess originated in India in around the 6th century AD.
Past posts- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#16)., United Service Club Calcutta – Old Postcard 1903., 1808 The Baby Elephant Antique Print From Buffon., View Of Cochin – Antique Hand coloured Plan 1704
