- The modern-day Polo game, Sagol Kangjei, is thought to have originated in Manipur.
- Sagol Kangjei Modern polo is said to have evolved from Sagol Kangjei, a Manipur-based sport.
- Players in this game ride horses, specifically Manipur Ponies, which have been mentioned in records dating back to the 14th century.
Manipur Pony Breed Preservation
- The Manipur Pony is one of India’s five recognized equine breeds, and it holds significant cultural significance for Manipuri society.
- For centuries, the pony has been essential to Manipuri society for its socio-cultural association.
- Its ancestors are unknown, with one source claiming Tibetan ponies as ancestors and another claiming a cross between a Mongolian wild horse and an Arabian.
- The number of Manipur Ponies was 1,898 in the 17th Quinquennial Livestock Census in 2003, but it fell to 1,101 in the 19th Quinquennial Livestock Census in 2012.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/sagol-kangjei-ancient-polo-of-manipur-played-manipur-pony-8365959/