A depiction of Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo') in a stamp of India

Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'traditional Meitei polo') and Meitei Sagol (Meitei for 'Manipuri pony') are two of the indispensable integral parts of Meitei civilization. Polo and pony are so interrelated and inseparable in Meitei civilization,[1] that there are sayings like “No pony no polo”, reminding that Manipur’s polo tradition will disappear if the ponies get extinct.[2][3]

List

Hapta Kangjeibung

Hapta Kangjeibung (Ancient Meitei: Chayol Kangcheipung, lit. weekly polofield) is a polo playground, situated in the heart of Imphal.[4][5][6][7]

Heingang Ching

The Heingang Ching, also known as the Marjing hills, is a hill, located in Heingang, Imphal. It is a sacred mountain, which is a mythical abode of deity Marjing, in Meitei mythology and traditional Meitei religion. Marjing is an ancient Meitei deity associated with Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo'), Khong Kangjei (Meitei for 'hockey'), and Meitei horse (Manipuri pony).[8][9]

Marjing Polo Complex

The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex, dedicated to ancient Meitei deity Marjing, Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo') and Meitei horse (Manipuri pony), built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching.[10][11]

Marjing Polo Statue

The Marjing Polo Statue is a colossal classical equestrian statue of a player of Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo'), mounting on a Meitei horse, standing on the Marjing Polo Complex. It is the world's tallest statue of a polo player,[12] and is built to commemorate the fact that Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur') is the birthplace of "modern polo".[13][14][15]

Marjing Temple

An ancient shrine dedicated to deity Marjing, the god of polo sports and pony horses, is located in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, where devotees, including polo players, offer prayers, and perform rites and rituals in his honor.[16][17] Devotees usually offer Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo stick/mallet'), Kangdrum (Meitei for 'ball'),[18] and replicas of the polo ponies to the deity.[19] It is probably one of the few temples in the world dedicated to horses.[20] Therefore, the temple serves as a storehouse of small, white figurines of horses, red and white polo mallets as well as various pictures of horses.[21][22]

Pologround

The Government of Manipur is planning to build a world class polo playground in the Heingang Ching, for which the construction activities are going on.[23][24][25]

Pony sanctuary

A pony sanctuary, named Heingang Pony Sanctuary,[26][27] or Manipur Pony Sanctuary,[28] is planned to be constructed in Heingang, to preserve, protect and promote the endangered Meitei horse (Manipuri pony) species, without which the performance of Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'traditional Meitei polo') isn't possible.[29][30][31][32]

Manung Kangjeibung

The Manung Kangjeibung (Ancient Meitei: Manung Kangcheipung, lit. Inner polofield) is an old pologround, located inside the premises of the Kangla Fort (Kangla Palace). Historically, it was a reserved playground for the Meitei royalties and nobles.[33] It is one of the two most ancient polo fields in the world, the other one being the Mapal Kangjeibung (Imphal Polo Ground).[34]

Mapal Kangjeibung

The Mapal Kangjeibung (Ancient Meitei: Mapal Kangcheipung, lit. Outer polofield), also known as the Imphal Polo Ground, is located in the heart of Imphal, very close to the Kangla Fort (Kangla Palace), the Ima Keithel, Manipur State Museum and many other historical sites. It is regarded as the oldest pologround in the world.[35]

Tomb of King Kangba

The tomb of Ningthou Kangba (Meitei for 'King Kangba'), located in Kangmong, Imphal, is a historic site. King Kangba is known for developing a game, which is known in today's world as Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo'). Kangmong is also the place where the very game was first played. In 2017, the art and culture minister of the Government of Manipur announced that the tomb will be developed into a heritage site.[36]

Other Kangjeibung places

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Ponies and their socio-economic importance in North-East India" (PDF). www.entomoljournal.com. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies.
    2. ↑ "How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies". GBH. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    3. ↑ "How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies".
    4. ↑ McDuie-Ra, Duncan (2016). van Schendel, Willem; Harris, Tina (eds.). Borderland City in New India. Amsterdam University Press. pp. 93–116. ISBN 978-90-8964-758-0. JSTOR j.ctt1d8hb58. These two venues are a short distance apart next to the Hapta Kangjeibung; an historic polo ground still used for polo but also for staging political rallies, the Sangai Festival each December, and various trade fairs. South of the polo ground is the Royal Palace, where the British moved their installed ruler, Chura Chand, after occupying Kangla Fort in 1891, and adjacent to this the Shree Govindajee Temple built in 1846.
    5. ↑ "6th Manipur Polo International underway". Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    6. ↑ "Thoubal vs Imphal East in men's Polo title clash". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    7. ↑ "Largest tourism festival of Manipur beginning tomorrow". The Times of India. 2013-11-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    8. ↑ "World's tallest polo statue to be constructed in Mnp | Nagaland Post". 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    9. ↑ "Polo team launched, field inaugurated". Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    10. ↑ NEWS, NE NOW (2018-03-25). "Manipur CM N Biren Singh inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    11. ↑ "Chief Minister Biren inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex; says Polo ground will also be constructed at the hillock shortly". Impact. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    12. ↑ "World's tallest polo statue to be constructed in Mnp | Nagaland Post". 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    13. ↑ "Manipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Unveils 122-feet-tall Polo Statue In Imphal | Ukhrul Times". 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    14. ↑ "120 feet Polo Statue to be Build [sic] in Manipur, the Birthplace of the Sport". News18. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    15. ↑ Today, North East (2022-11-17). "Construction Of Much-Awaited 120-Ft-Tall Effigy Of 'Sagol Kangjei' Completed; Upholds Historical Significance Of Polo Sport". Northeast Today. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    16. ↑ "Imphal tourist park coming up at birth place of polo".
    17. ↑ Levin, Jonathan V. (2017-10-04). Where Have All the Horses Gone?: How Advancing Technology Swept American Horses from the Road, the Farm, the Range and the Battlefield. McFarland. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-4766-6713-3.
    18. ↑ "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.
    19. ↑ "Marjing Complex, Heingangching" (PDF). manipur.gov.in. Government of Manipur. p. 15. At Heingangching, there is the temple of Marjing where every year replica of pony and polo mallet is offered to the Lord. Due to the low number of Manipuri pony, one of the five recognized breed of India, the State Government have established a pony preserve at Heingangching covering the temple. Facilities need to be developed so that the preserve is properly developed and it can become a place for pony and polo drawing visitors to not only see the original polo pony but also to learn about the heritage.
    20. ↑ "Concern over dwindling number of rare Indian polo ponies". BBC News. 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    21. ↑ "How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies". GBH. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    22. ↑ "How a polo tour in India is helping to protect a rare breed of ponies".
    23. ↑ "Chief Minister Biren inaugurates Marjing Polo Complex; says Polo ground will also be constructed at the hillock shortly". Impact. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    24. ↑ "Manipur gets Centre's nod to build world-class polo ground in Imphal East". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    25. ↑ "Polo ground in Manipur". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    26. ↑ "Manipur Government takes first big step towards protection of its rare equine specie". KRC TIMES. 2019-08-24. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    27. ↑ Press, Imphal Free (2013-11-27). "CM inspects infrastructure at Heingang pony sanctuary – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    28. ↑ "Establishment of Manipur Pony Sanctuary at Villge No 16 Heingang in Imphal East District". manipurgovtpress.nic.in. Government of Manipur. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    29. ↑ "Manipur to develop sanctuary for its polo ponies". MorungExpress. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    30. ↑ "Manipur to develop sanctuary for its polo ponies".
    31. ↑ "Manipur sanctuary to rear polo ponies". assamtribune.com. 2010-09-15. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    32. ↑ "Manipur pony finds a home - Species endangered now". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
    33. ↑ "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.
    34. ↑ —Muthukumaraswamy, M. D.; Kaushal, Molly (2004). Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society. NFSC www.indianfolklore.org. p. 73. ISBN 978-81-901481-4-6. In the two large polo grounds, one inside and the other outside the fort (Manung Kangjeibung and Mapan Kangjeibung the most ancient polo sites of the world) ...
      —"Historic Kangla Fort to get major facelift - a photo story by Prabir Kumar Talukdar". Kangla perhaps houses the oldest polo ground in the world known as 'Manung Kangjeibung' which has a helipad of its own. This polo ground was for the elites.
      —মণিপুর পোনি - ইমাদি ঙকশম য়ৌরে — লেমহৌরিবা কাংজৈবুং হায়বা তারগদি. মনুং কাংজৈবুং, মপাল কাংজৈবুং (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
      —মণিপুরনা ইন্দিয়াদা তিল্লবা মতুংদা ওইরম্বা লৈঙাক - ৪৩ & হাপ্তা কাংজৈবুংদা শঙাই হেরিটেজ পার্ক (শঙাই ফেষ্টিভেলগীদমক্তা) (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
      —কংলাদগী হেলিপেদ লৌথোক্নবা ৱারেপ থাগত্নীংঙাইনি (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
    35. ↑ —Bahl, Ananya (2020-03-09). "Manipur the birthplace of modern polo is home to a formidable women's team". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X.
      —"Polo Ground, Imphal".
      —"Exploring The World's Oldest Polo Ground". 2022-01-05.
      —"Manipur: The place where polo was born?". Hindustan Times. 2014-12-21.
      —"Exploring the World's Oldest Polo Ground". 2019-03-25.
    36. ↑ —"King Kangba memorial at Kangmong to be developed as heritage site: Jayantakumar | Pothashang News". 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"King Kangba's memorial to be developed as tourism site". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"King Kangbas memorial to be developed as tourism site - PTI feed News". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"King Kangba's memorial to be developed as tourism site | India.com". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"King Kangba's memorial to be developed as tourism site". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"Manipur government to develop King Kangba's memorial as tourism site- The New Indian Express". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"King Kangba's memorial to be developed as tourism site | Business Standard News". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
      —"Ningthou Kangba remembered : 07th apr18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
    Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Polo in Manipur.
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