DG AR Cup : The umbilical cord with Manipuri Pony and Polo

Laishram Irvin *

Manipuri Pony at 29th N Hazari/Dr N Tombi State Polo Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung in Jan 2014 :: Pix - Ashok Ningthoujam

The Director General Assam Rifles State Equestrian Championship and 5th IGAR (S) Junior Equestrian Championship scheduled to be held from 1st February till 4th February 2014, is not only an equestrian championship but is also intrinsically linked to the history of Manipur, where the Manipuri warriors perfected the art of flicking the poison tipped Arambais or Sling Arrows from the horse back, inflicting heavy casualties amongst the enemies or the nemesis. The use of this martial skill was at its peak during the many confrontations between the kingdom of Manipur and the Shan Dynasty of the Awa kingdom in the then Burma.

To go back briefly to history, the Manipuri pony played an important role in the alliances and confrontations with the Shan Dynasty in the 17th and 18th century. After the Awa invasion, known as the Seven Years Devastation in the mid 18th century, the invaders took into captive a large number of skilled horsemen and they were absorbed into the regular forces of the Shan Dynasty under the nomenclature KatheMyindat.

The martial skills of the Kathe Myindat also known as Cassy Cavalry under the Shan Dynasty became strong reminders of the strength of the Manipur Nation and its relationship with the indigenous Pony, the Manipuri Sagol.

Though the pedigree of the Manipuri Pony is yet to be scientifically established, the possibility of cross breeding with Burmese and Shan horses is high and cannot be dismissed easily. What however has been proven without doubt is the character, strength, endurance and adaptability to different terrains of the Manipuri pony. The Manipuri pony therefore became not only the military strength to prop up the political establishment of Manipur but also that of Burma.

The history of Manipur can never be complete without a reference to the indigenous pony. Not only militarily but it was through the use of this breed of horses that the kingdom of Manipur gave the game of Polo to the world.

In many ways the psychological and physical approach of the Sagol Lanmee (Manipuri soldiers on horseback) manifests itself in the game of Sagol Kangjei (Polo). Preparation for war as well as preparation to play a game of Sagol Kangjei meant the ability to maneuver and outwit the enemy. This was possible only when the body of the horsemen and the body of the horse (pony) became one and the same in spirit and approach to the battle or game.

Low cost of maintenance and the ability of the young people to become one with the pony in movement and spirit meant that Sagol Kangjei became the perfect sporting outlet for the youngsters, who otherwise had no access to other games. This could be the reason why Sagol Kangjei was a popular game with a mass following right up to middle of the 20th century. The historic Mapal Kangjeibung today stands as the testimony to the popularity of this sport in the then kingdom of Manipur. Other than the Mapal Kangjeibung, over thirty polo grounds are known to have once existed in the valley of Manipur.

It is in cognizance of the important position that the pony occupies in the history of the land, that the present State Government has zeroed in on an area at Heingang side to develop it is a pony farm. This is an important move for the population of pony is now miniscule.

To save and promote the indigenous pony, the Assam Rifles too has taken it upon itself to promote sports related to the Pony and the DG AR Cup is one such endeavour.

The DG AR Cup, State Equestrian Championship and IGAR (S) Junior Championship stand as the testimony of the commitment of the Assam Rifles to encourage and promote Equestrian games and in the process ensure the survival of the Manipuri pony.

It is in pursuance of this noble cause that the said championship was first launched in 2002 and since then it has been a mega and annual event. This year alone, 14 different clubs from Manipur are taking part in the said championship.

Jointly organised with the Manipur Equestrian Association, the Assam Rifles is reaching out to the sports loving people of Manipur through this championship. A standing commitment that the Assam Rifles is for the people and friends of the people.