History of Polo
Polo is rooted in historical military training and descends from Asia. The different concepts of the game, as well as the name itself, developed over time and were adapted by a variety of cultures into the game known today. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it became highly popular within the British Empire and ultimately came to America.
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Origins
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Historians believe that polo was established in Persia as far back as 600 BC. It was designed as a training game for cavalry units and would be played with as many as 100 people.
Identification
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During the first millennium AD, polo traveled to other regions in Asia, including China and India. By the Middle Ages, it had come to the Ottoman Empire and Japan. Tibet established the word "pulu" during this time.
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Adoption
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When the British arrived in India they adopted the sport and modified the name to the word "polo." In 1834, the world's first polo club was established in Silchar in Assam, India.
Spread
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During the late 1800s, two British soldiers brought the game back to England. Following the success of the game in Britain, the game began to be spread to the rest of Europe and North America.
Americanization
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James Gordon Bennett Jr. organized the first polo matches in the United States in the early 20th century. Harry Payne Whitney changed the rules to provide for high-speed play. This included long downfield passes and full gallop speeds.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Siddha; Public Domain; Wikimedia Commons
