Sagon Kangjei (Polo)
- Part 3 -

P. B. Singh *

Front,back, side of Manipuri pony's saddle drawn by H. Shuamshunder Singh

Reference has been made of a player carrying the ball in his hand, a carry-over from khong-kangjei. Maharajkumar Pakasana, Sagon Hanjaba (Master of the Royal Stables) could induce approaching ball to roll up his stick and with a flick, get it land in his palm. He used to carry it to the opponents' goal side and with both hands drive it across the side to a thunderous clapping and cheering of the spectators.

Thangjam Chaoba Oja claims that he could emulate the prince to a fair extent. Jubaraj Tikendrajit Singh, half brother to Pakasana and his greatest rival would ride up to his opponent and riding side by side gradually snuggle himself and transfer himself to the others saddle of the pony and strike the ball on the off side before the other could strike, and get back to his saddle.

We are told that Thingbaijam Tomboi, another well known Oja, could similarly get close to his opponent and get a hit from the offside in the same way as the Jubaraj did. The two princes and Chongtham Aya Purel3 were considered the outstanding players of their time.

Talking of Ojas (masters), Thangjam Chaoba, now considered an Oja in sagon-kangjei as well as a performer in Sankirtan Pala Cholom and a teacher in that discipline in the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy, Imphal relates of the time when he and another teammate got themselves on both side of Thingbaijam Tomboi during a match, with intent to obstruct him playing the balls that came his way.

When they closed, and their knees touched that of the Oja, he looked from one to the other and gave a faint smile. They, three headed for a ball. When they were about six feet away from the ball, they observed a slight movement of the knees of the Oja, a slight pressure. His pony took a leap forward and for a fraction of a second, the Oja seemed to ride on the neck of his pony, and with a shortened stick made a movement. The ball deflected from his stick right through the twelve milling legs of their horses and shot to the Oja's teammate that was following them. Sitting back in his saddle, the Oja made a grunt 'Hunh'.

Most of the Ojas besides superb horsemen were good and able horse trainers. Players having troubles with their mounts used to come to them and sought their help. They would say that the pony was not responding to the reins that it was pulling constantly to right or left, suddenly shies on approaching the ball, jerk head back when the players is about to strike the ball and so on. These Ojas took out ponies for a short ride.

For recalcitrant ponies, it took the Oja to ride number of times but in most cases, half an hour's ride would bring about the desired change. Getting down, the pony now all sweat and foaming, with extended nostrils, the Oja gave the rein to the owner and gave some advice, for in most cases the trouble is with the rider.

Manipuri sagon kangjei player used number of strokes. We read that in 1886, John Watson who returned from India, played for the English team playing in U.S.A., won the Westchester Cup against the U.S.A. team. His use of the back hand stroke gave him a great advantage over his adversaries. To the Meitei players, the use of the back hand stroke is nothing extraordinary.

All good players could play what is called 'Kanghai-ahum' (the three swing-attempts). It is the three attempts that a player makes to hit the same ball. The first attempt he makes by rising from his saddle and leaning well forward, as if sitting on the neck of his pony. The second attempt, when he misses, is made from his normal riding position. Should he miss again, then the third and the last is made from a position where he lies well on his back on the saddle and the croup of his pony.

Manipuri ponies are small, most of them under 12.5 hands. Because they are small, the sticks have to be shorter. Small ponies make fast turnings and short sticks make for fast stick work. Because the ponies are small, it is easy for tall riders to bend and pick the ball up. In the west, the usual height of the horses is abovel4.5 hands. Any horse of less height is classed as a pony. The minimum permissible height for polo is 14 hands.

One would naturally ask, why call these horses 'ponies' when they are ridden in polo? Is it that 'pony' rhyme or sound better with 'polo'? or is it the acknowledgement, made unconsciously, to the Manipuris playing on their small ponies that set them playing polo?

On completing a short military course at the Royal Military College at Dehra Dun, after his studies at the Mayo College, Ajmer, Chura Chand Singh returned to his state. During his minority, the Superintendent organised 'Hafta-kangjei'. The kangjei (polo) was played every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Mapan Kangjeibung, the present polo ground in the Khwairamband, still known as Polo ground.

The state retained six good polo players paying Rs. 10/- per player per month. Each was given two ponies to be maintained and used by them. The young Maharaja, good at most of the games, maintained his players. There were ten players all young and they were given two ponies each. To differentiate them from the original Hafta players, his was named Hafta macha (minor hafta). His hafta macha played on the bigger polo ground in the Palace compound, which is called 'manung kangjeibung' as opposed to 'mapan kangjeibung'.

The British Officers played with the Hafta Achouba, while the Members of the Cheirap Courts and the Sadar Panchayat played in both. In both the Haftas goal posts had been introduced and the I.P.A. Rules followed. 'Tuppa (riding across) which had been denounced, was completely stopped by the young Maharaja who insisted on 'riding off the opponent. Thangjam Chaoba who was one of the ten young players with the Maharaja's Hafta relates the time he took to impress upon them of the correct "riding off' the opponent to riding across. The Maharaja insisted on more use of passes and playing as a team.

The Meities, like their brother hillmen are individualists at most of the time. It is 'me' against 'all'. Passing was done as a last resort, and too late to be effective. Passing was not new; it was there in the players' jargon 'mangnaba'. A teammate would shout 'mangnaro', which in Meitei-lon means literally, 'disappear, and fade away'. It may mean to nullify the attempt of the opponent or to sink the 'me' for the team.

By constant insistence of the Maharaja, the hafta macha team played as a team. Speaking about Chura Chand Maharaja, Oja Thangjam Chaoba says that he was a very good player, able to anticipate and station where the ball would come. He can vividly remember the beaming smile of the Maharaja while he rode his favourite Karaoobi (dark chestnut). He would dare anyone to take the ball from him.

With sadness, the Oja relates that the persistent reminding to the Maharaja by his advisers what the Meitei purans puiyas had to say; that the maharaja's end will come from a fall, and that all may be from a horse. In the end it made the Maharaja give up sagon kangjei which he liked so much. He devoted his time to other sports, tennis, cricket and other games. (It may be remembered Maharaja Chura Chand abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son while he lay bed ridden at Nabadwip, W. Bengal).

To be continued....