Context: Recently Union Home Minister Inaugurated, 122-foot-tall statue of a polo player astride a Manipur Pony in Imphal. It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur.
About Sagol Kangjei:
It is a sport indigenous to Manipur, in which players ride horses, specifically the Manipur Ponies, which are referenced in records dating back to the 14th century.
The sport originated in Manipur and is associated with ancient manuscripts like Kangjeirol.
Even festivals in Manipur such as Lai Haraoba Festival shows a play sequence in which Maibi (priestess) with a polo stick in hand goes out in search of a bride.
There are no goalposts in traditional form as the players scores a point by hitting the ball out of the field.
About the Manipur Pony:
The Manipur Pony is one of five recognised equine breeds of India, and has a powerful cultural significance for Manipuri society.
The Marjing Polo Complex has been developed as a way to conserve the Manipur Pony.
One source stated Tibetan ponies as its ancestors while another source stated its origin to be a cross between Mongolian wild horse and Arabian.
In some manuscripts, it is referred to as Mangal-sa or Mongolian animal.
In Manipuri mythology, the Manipuri pony was regarded to have descended from “Samadon Ayangba” the winged steed of Lord Margjing, one of the guardian deities of Manipur.
The 17th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2003 had recorded 1,898 Manipur Ponies;
The number fell to 1,101 in the 19th Quinquennial Livestock Census in 2012.
In 2014, it was found difficult to count even 500.
