The last of the Ponies in the land of Polo
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy: TNN

Imphal, November 22 2012: The small stadium of Mapan Kangjeibung in the heart of Imphal city is bustling with activity.

Majestic ponies are galloping around the expanse of the lawns; the stadium is being decked up for the biggest event in the city-the international polo tournament.

The tournament that is going to be held almost after 12 years has a special agenda this year.

It aims to highlight the plight of the endangered Manipuri Pony breed of ponies whose population has diminished due to loss of grazing land and natural habitat.

'Manipuri Ponies' are said to be one four recognised breeds of horses found in India, the rest being Kathiawari, Marwari and Bhutia.

Equestrian experts have conflicting views about the origin of the ancient breed, some say that it may have developed from the Tibetan pony or the Mongolian wild horse.

The ponies were once prized by the Manipur royalty; they were used as the cavalry of the kings for warfare.

According to the International Museum of the Horse, "swiftly charging Manipuri Ponies, Meitei horsemen flung arambai, equestrian darts that rained down on their enemies.

Sacred to the Meiteis, the Manipuri Pony was never a pack, transport or work animal.

Rather, ancient Meitei manuscripts, such as the Kangjeirol, the treatise on polo, depict the Manipuri Pony as a sacred animal and describe its utility as a fearless cavalry mount and a sport pony" .

The four day international polo tournament set to start on November 24 may be set in insurgency ridden Manipur, but it has managed to draw a lot of international teams including the Hurlingham Polo Association of United Kingdom.

"This time we have teams from France, Germany, UK and for the first time Thailand will also participate.

We have arranged for their accommodation and plan to welcome them in Manipuri tradition to give them a flavour of the place," saysLt.

Col.(retd) M Ranjit Singh, senior member of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) .

There have been hardly any efforts made to protect the Manipuri pony.

Secretary General of the Manipuri Pony Society, N Tombi Raj says that the numbers are dwindling, there may be less than 1000 ponies left.

"Most of the grazing grounds in Manipur have been converted to agricultural land.

There are also very less funds to breed them properly.

We hope that this international event helps," he adds.

Recalling the close association of the Manipuri pony with the royalty and people of Manipur, members of MHRPA say that most of the royal chronicles refer to polo as a war technique.

"There are many versions of the lore behind the origin of polo.

Some chronicles say that a Manipur king who was driven away by Burmese troupes had occupied the Cachar district in Assam.

The Manipuri troupes then ambushed the kingdom and set up their own rule.

Around 1854 British tea planters are said to have seen the Manipur royalty play polo in Cachar.

They were impressed.

The first polo club was established in Silchar in 1859," the members add.

The polo tournament this year coincides with the Sangai Festival, the 10day long tourism festival organised by the state tourism department.

Tournament organisers hope that the spirit of polo or 'Sagol Kangjei' is able to create a favourable image for Manipur in terms of tourism.

"We want people to know that Manipur is the birthplace of this dynamic and historical sport," adds Ranjit Singh.

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