History of Hockey in India, Hockey in India, History of Indian Hockey, Hockey History in India, Indian Hockey

Hockey is one of the world's most ancient games. It is older than even the ancient Olympic Games. There are histories of people partaking in a hockey like commotion dating back 4000 years ago. There is certain uncertainty as to whether the whole thing was actually hockey and whether they originated from such divergent locations as ancient Egypt and the Indians in both North and South America. With Man known to be the hunter and gatherer, he would also look for some game or leisure. The most usual action would be to kick from place to place a ball like object.

The next most usual act would be to pick up a rod or club to force a ball like object. This must certainly have occurred in several parts of the world, either among just two people or in greater groups. On ice-covered lakes with a very fast surface and prior to the arrival of skates, some practice of hockey on ice might have taken place. In the northern Bandy, Europe, Shinty and Hurley were being played long before any official mention of hockey. Likewise the North American Indians were playing lacrosse for a very a long time. Polo has been mentioned to as the hockey on horseback and skillful horse riders must have been playing polo -type games for numerous centuries. In less civilized times, this occasionally involved the head of an enemy as the ball.

The British Empire rule made hockey highly widespread in the Indian sub-continent in the late 19th century. The first ever hockey club was established in Calcutta in the year 1885. There existed no chief national competitions throughout that time. In the year 1895, the Beighton Cup tournament in Calcutta and Aga Khan Tournament in Bombay, Maharashtra were organized. In the early 20th century, the Hot Weather Tournament of Lahore became very popular too. Though these events got a significant amount of media coverage and support, India did not have any central body for hockey.

On the 7th day of November month in the year 1925 all the hockey associations and clubs assembled in Gwalior. This gathering led to the establishment of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). The Indian players got the global experience after the formation of IHF. India's first ever international trip was to New Zealand. India played 21 matches in that particular tour and won about 18 matches, lost 1 match and drew 2 matches. They notched 192 goals in those matches and Dhyan Chand's hockey skills flummoxed the opposition team in all the game.

IHF's FIH membership

IHF applied for the global membership and it got the authorization of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in the year 1927. That destined India could partake at the 1928 year's Summer Olympic Games.

Hockey resumed at the Olympics after the 1920 Antwerp Games nearly after a hiatus of eight years.

India's Hockey journey through Olympics

Jaipal Singh, a young boy from Ranchi who was pursuing his studies at Balliol, Oxford was made India's captain in the Olympic Games in the year 1928. SM Yusuf and Nawab of Pataudi, who were staying in Britain, were the other two Indians who were selected. An Indian team of about 15 men was nominated to exemplify India and they were all set out to rehearse and leave the country in a few weeks.

But there was a difficulty at the last minute of departure. Two of the players named Shaukat Ali and Rex A Norris had to be released from the team due to non-availability of monetary funds. But as shortly as the news broke about, supporters from Bengal organized the money and confirmed that the two players were able to make it to the Indian team though Yusuf and Pataudi could not participate in the games.

Dhyan Chand slashed both the goals for the losing side

Before parting for the games, the Indian Olympic team played a practice match in opposition to Bombay. The Olympians lost to the Bombay team by a margin of 2-3. Dhyan Chand slashed both the goals for the losing side. After this loss in the practice match, the people of India were expecting very avergage performance from the Olympic team.

On the 10th day of the March month in the year 1928 a full-fledged crew set off for Amsterdam on the ship Kaiser-i-Hind for which only three men which included the IHF president, IHF vice president and a journalist came to say goodbye wishing good luck to the team.

India Smacked the Club Sides and Enforced the Teams into Submission

Before the tournaments, India had played some preparation matches in London as the ship took a 20 day stop at London. India smacked the club sides and enforced the teams into submission. There was a widespread rumor that the Great Britain plunged out of hockey in order to evade humiliation at the hands of India. The British press addressed Jaipal Singh's team and reflected India as the favorites to win the gold medal at the Amsterdam Games.

India Instigated Their Journey in the Tournament

On 17th day of the May month same year, India instigated their journey in the tournament with a easy 6-0 win against Austria. Dhyan Chand notched a hat-trick even before the first half of the match. After the first half of the match, Dhyan Chand again ruptured Austria's defense to score his fourth goal. The Austrian defense was powerless to hold the wizard as he would run away with the ball at will. Shaukat Ali, who was released from the team due to inadequate funds earlier, notched the fifth goal while Maurice Gately slashed the sixth goal to start India's movement with an exceptional win.

Whole Country was Pleased With the Team

The whole country was pleased with the team and the Indian newspapers applauded them.India's next test was against Belgium the right next day, yet they encountered no problem in beating them. This time, the edge of victory was 9-0. This was somewhat unusual since Belgium was a very good team in Europe. Belgium's extermination at the hands of Indians made people of Amsterdam astonish if the Indian team was the finest ever that they had ever seen.

Semi-Final Against the Switzerland Team

On the 20th day, India went against with the Denmark team. The Denmark goalkeeper saved quite a lot of shots from Dhyan Chand and made many problems for the Indians. But India notched five goals and goalkeeper Allen had a sparkling sheet. In the semi-final against the Switzerland team, India had no difficulties in wrapping up the game by a margin of 6-0.India had set up a closing clash with the home team Holland on the 26th day of May. The Indian side was left without Feroze Khan who was hurt and Shaukat Ali, who was not well before the game.

Whole Nation Celebrated the Win

Jaipal Singh went out of the team halfway before the semi-final. According to some reports, Jaipal was distressed with the absence of support from the nine Anglo-Indian members inside the team. Pinninger directed India in Jaipal's absence. In spite of these issues, India won the summit meeting clash by a 3-0 margin with Dhyan Chand recording yet another hat-trick. The whole nation celebrated the win. The newspapers all over India gave significant space to this piece of news. India had won its first ever Olympic medal, that too a gold one.

Hockey Had Engrossed the Whole Nation.

Dhyan Chand scored a total of 14 goals in the tournament and India did not acknowledge a single goal.

The Dutch press gabbed about Indian dexterity and enchanted display. Back home in India, Viceroy Lord Irwin praised the team.

When the team came back to the country in Bombay after their victory, it was received by large number of fans. Hockey had engrossed the whole nation.

HISTORY OF HOCKEY IN INDIA