Manipuri pony

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Manipuri Pony
Manipur Pony.jpg
Conservation status
Other names
  • Manipur Pony
  • Meitei Sagol [3]
Country of originIndia
Distribution
Standard Indigenous Horse Society of India
Traits
Height
    • usually 122–132 cm
    • up to 136 cm [4] : 484 
Colourfourteen recognised colours [4] : 484 
Manipuri horseman in an illustration from 1855 Manipuri horseman.jpg
Manipuri horseman in an illustration from 1855

The Manipuri Pony (Meitei : Meitei Sagol) [5] [6] is a traditional Indian breed of small horse or pony from Assam and Manipur in north-eastern India. It appears both in the history and the mythology of Manipur, and was used for warfare and polo. It is believed to have been the polo pony in use in Assam in the mid-nineteenth century when British tea planters first saw polo being played, and the height limits set for polo ponies were based on ponies of this breed. It was very numerous in the early twentieth century, but numbers have since fallen. A breed society was established in 1977, and a breed standard was drawn up by the Indigenous Horse Society of India in 2009. [4] : 484 

Contents

History

Small horses have been bred for centuries in the Manipuri area of north-eastern India. [7] They were often used as warhorses, and were ridden by the Meitei warriors of Kangleipak (later called Manipur). Horses from Manipur were used by the cavalry of Ningthou Gharib Nawaz (Meitei : Pamheiba ) in his wars against the Konbaung dynasty of Burma. [8] When the game of polo was first observed by British tea planters in Assam, these are believed to have been the polo ponies that were being used. [4] : 484  Some unsuccessful attempts were made to cross-breed the Manipuri polo ponies with Arab stock. [4] : 484  The height of polo ponies was based on the average height of the Manipuri, and was at first restricted to 132 cm (13 hands ), later relaxed to 136 cm (13 h); in 1916 the restriction was completely removed. [4] : 484  At about this time the export of ponies from Manipur was banned in order to allow breed numbers to recover. [8] Manipuri horses were used to transport British troops into Burma during the Second World War. [9]

In 1977 a breed society, the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA), was established. [10] In recent years, breed numbers have decreased, and estimates place the breed at somewhere between 2300 [7] and 1000 in population in the 21st century. [9] Population numbers continue to dwindle in part due to high numbers of ponies being smuggled into Myanmar (Burma), where the breed is in demand, after either having been purchased or stolen from their Indian owners. In 2005, a heritage park was opened by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association with the goal of preventing the extinction of the breed and promoting them to tourists. [9]

Characteristics

The Manipuri Pony has a light head with a straight profile, set on a well-formed neck, somewhat pronounced withers, a deep chest and sloping shoulders. The croup is sloping, the legs sturdy and the hooves well-proportioned. The overall appearance is elegant. Manipuri ponies generally stand 11 to 13  hands (44 to 52 inches, 112 to 132 cm) high. [11] They are often bay in color, but can also be pinto, grey and chestnut. [12] Because of the short height of the ponies, riders use shortened mallets while playing polo. [13] The Manipuri pony resembles, and is distantly related to, the Burmese Pony and the Indonesian Batak and Sumba ponies. [8]

In 2007, a study was published that examined genetic variation among five Indian equine breeds—the Manipuri, Marwari, Spiti, Bhutia, and Zanskari. Based on analysis of microsatellite DNA, the Manipuri was found to have the greatest genetic distance from the Marwari, and a much closer genetic distance to the other three breeds. [14] The distance from the Marwari was not only genetic, but seen in physical characteristics, particularly height and environmental adaptability. The physical differences were attributed to differing ancestries: the Marwari horse is closely associated with the Arabian, while the four other breeds are thought to have descended at least in part from the Tibetan pony. None of the breeds in the study were found to be closely genetically associated with the Thoroughbred. [14]

Uses

Polo was introduced into the area of Manipur state as early as the seventh century, and Manipuri ponies were one of the first breeds used in the game. [12] The British learned of polo during the nineteenth century while watching it played on Manipuri ponies in India. The breed is still used for polo today in India, but other breeds are more popular in Europe and America. [11] Manipuri ponies are often also used to play sagol kangjei, a version of polo believed to be close to what was originally played when the sport was invented. Sagol kangjei is more demanding than modern polo, as ponies are used for the entire match instead of being changed between periods. [15] Manipuri ponies are also used for racing. [7] During their early history, they were in demand as cavalry horses, and men that rode these ponies were thought well-mounted. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manipur</span> State in northeastern India

Manipur is a state in northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanmar, Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the south. The state covers an area of 22,327 km2 (8,621 sq mi). The official and most widely spoken language is the Meitei language. Native to the Meitei people, it is also used as a lingua franca by smaller communities, who speak a variety of other Tibeto-Burman languages. Manipur has been at the crossroads of Asian economic and cultural exchange for more than 2,500 years. This exchange connects the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia to Southeast Asia, East Asia, Siberia, regions in the Arctic, Micronesia and Polynesia enabling migration of people, cultures and religions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei language</span> Tibeto-Burman language of India

Meitei, also known as Manipuri, is a Tibeto-Burman language of northeast India. It is the official language and the lingua franca of Manipur and one of the official languages India. Meitei is the most widely-spoken Tibeto-Burman language of India and third the most used language of northeast India after Assamese and Bengali. There are 1.76 million Meitei native speakers in India according to the 2011 census. Most of these, or 1.52 million, are found in the state of Manipur, where they represent majority of its population. There are smaller communities in neighbouring Indian states, such as Assam (168,000), Tripura (24,000), Nagaland (9,500), and elsewhere in the country (37,500). The language is also spoken by smaller groups in neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei people</span> Ethnic group of South Asia

The Meitei people, Meetei, Manipuri people is an ethnic group native to Manipur. They form the largest and dominant ethnic group of Manipur in Northeast India. They speak the Meitei language, one of the 22 official languages of the Indian Republic and the sole official language of Government of Manipur. The Meiteis primarily settled in the valley areas in modern-day Manipur, though a sizeable population has settled in the other Indian states of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. There is also a notable presence of Meitei people in the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Meitei ethnic group represents about 53% of Manipur's population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marwari horse</span> Rare breed of horse from the Marwar region of India

The Marwari or Malani is a rare breed of horse from the Marwar region of Rajasthan, in north-west India. It is closely related to the Kathiawari breed of the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat, with which it shares an unusual inward-curving shape of the ears. It is found in all equine colours, including piebald and skewbald. It is a hardy riding horse; it may exhibit a natural ambling gait.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathiawari horse</span> Indian breed of horse

The Kathiawari or Kathiawadi is an Indian breed of horse. It originates in the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat in western India, and is associated with the Kathi people of that area. It was originally bred as a desert war horse for use over long distances, in rough terrain, on minimal rations. It is closely related to the Marwari horses of Rajasthan; both breeds have been influenced by imported Arab horses. It is found in all colours except for black, and is most commonly chestnut. In the past it was used as a war horse and cavalry mount. Today it is used for riding, in harness and for sports; it may be used as a police horse and for the sport of tent-pegging. A stud-book is kept by the Kathiawari Horse Breeders' Association, which also organises annual shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zaniskari</span> Indian breed of horse

The Zaniskari or Zanskari is a breed of small mountain horse or pony from Ladakh in northern India. It is named for the Zanskar valley or region in Kargil district. It is similar to the Spiti breed of Himachal Pradesh, but is better adapted to work at high altitude. Like the Spiti, it shows similarities to the Tibetan breeds living on the other side of the Himalayas in neighbouring Tibet. It is of medium size, and is often grey in colour. The breed is considered endangered, as there are only a few hundred alive today, and a conservation programme has been started at Padum, Zanskar, in the Kargil district of Ladakh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polo in India</span>

India is the birthplace of modern polo. The modern game of polo is derived from Manipur, where the game was known as sagol kangjei, kanjai-bazee, or pulu. It was the anglicised form of the last, referring to the wooden ball that was used, which was adopted by the sport in its slow spread to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Manipur</span>

Manipur is home to a population playing many different sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arambai</span> Traditional Meitei dart-like weapon

Arambai, also known as Alapai tenton, is a dart weapon used by the Meitei cavalry soldiers of Kangleipak while mounted on Manipur Ponies. The cavalry armies use arambai as attacking or retreating weapon, and it is usually poisoned.

<i>Manipuri Pony</i> (film) 2013 Indian film

Manipuri Pony is a 2013 non-feature Indian Meitei language film scripted by Aribam Gautam and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. It is produced by Films Division of India. The film won the National Film Award for Best Exploration / Adventure Film at the 60th National Film Awards. The movie was also selected in the Indian Panorama of the 44th International Film Festival of India 2013 and the Mumbai International Film Festival in 2014.

<i>Daughters of the Polo God</i> 2018 Indian film

Daughters of the Polo God is a 2018 Indian Meitei-English bilingual documentary film directed by Roopa Baruah and edited by Hemanti Sarkar. It is based on the story of girls and horses empowering each other. It is about saving the endangered Meitei horse and empowering women in the sport of polo simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjing</span> Meitei God of polo, horses and warfare

Marjing is the God of horses, polo, hockey, sports and war in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. The guardianship of the north eastern direction is alluded to Marjing and the other directions to Koupalu, Thangching and Wangpulen. According to the legend, he invented the game of polo and introduced it as the national game. He and his divine creature, Samadon Ayangba, reside in the top of the Heingang Ching.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manung Kangjeibung</span> Polo Ground located inside the Kangla fort in Imphal

The Manung Kangjeibung is an old polo field located to the south west of the citadel inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Manipur. In ancient times, only royalties and nobilities were allowed to play the game of polo in this royal playground. It is one of the two most ancient pologrounds in the world, the other one being the Mapal Kangjeibung .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjing Polo Statue</span> Worlds tallest polo player statue

The Marjing Polo Statue is a colossal classical equestrian statue of a player of Sagol Kangjei, riding a Meitei horse, constructed at the Marjing Polo Complex, the sacred sports site dedicated to God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of polo and horses, in Heingang, Imphal East District, Kangleipak . It is the world's tallest statue of a polo player. It is built to commemorate the game of "modern polo" being originated from Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjing Polo Complex</span> Polo Complex in Imphal

The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex dedicated to ancient Meitei deity Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse, built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, the sacred abode of God Marjing, located in Heingang, Imphal East district, Kangleipak . It houses Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest equestrian statue of a polo player.

The Heingang Ching ), also known as the Meitei: Marjing Hill, is a hill in Heingang, Imphal East district of Kangleipak. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), Heingang Ching is a sacred mountain and the home of God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, and Meitei horse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong</span> A Meitei temple in Imphal East

The Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong, officially known as the Laiyingthou Sanamahi Kiyong, is a temple of God Lainingthou Sanamahi of Meitei religion (Sanamahism), built on the Nongmaiching mountain in the Imphal East district of Kangleipak. It is a center of the Sanamahism followers in Manipur. It is the central body of the "Sanamahi Lainingkol" at Chingoi Maru Langmaiching (Nongmaiching).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hills and mountains in Meitei culture</span> Description of hills and mountains in Meitei culture

Many Chings play significant role in different elements of Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sagol kāngjei</span> Traditional form of polo in Manipur

Sagol Kangjei is a traditional Meitei ball sport played on horseback with a long-handled stick. The sport, also known as Manipuri polo, is a predecessor of modern international polo.

References

  1. ↑ Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN   9789251057629. Accessed January 2017.
  2. ↑ Breed data sheet: Manipuri Pony / India (Horse). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2020.
  3. ↑ Manipuri Pony Breed Standard. Indigenous Horse Society of India. Accessed January 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN   9781780647944.
  5. ↑ Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen J. G.; Sponenberg, D. Phillip (9 March 2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding, 2 Volume Pack. CABI. p. 484. ISBN   978-1-84593-466-8.
  6. ↑ LAMBA, SWARN (17 December 2021). Let's Play: Kanche and other Traditional games of India. Zorba Books. p. 114. ISBN   978-93-90640-60-7.
  7. 1 2 3 "Equines in India". National Research Centre On Equines (Indian Council on Agricultural Research). Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 "Manipuri Pony Breed Standard". Indigenous Horse Society of India. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 "Park boon for Manipur pony - Polo association to build heritage hub to try and save dying species". The Telegraph. 29 December 2008. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  10. ↑ "A ride through the changes in modern Polo". The Economic Times. 5 December 2010. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  11. 1 2 Bongianni, Maurizio, ed. (1988). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies . New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc. p.  Entry 120. ISBN   0671660683.
  12. 1 2 3 Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN   9780806138848.
  13. ↑ Edwards, Elwyn Hartley (1994). The Encyclopedia of the Horse (1st American ed.). New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley. p. 201. ISBN   1564586146.
  14. 1 2 Behl, R.; Behl, J.; Gupta, N.; Gupta, S.C. (May 2007). "Genetic relationships of five Indian horse breeds using microsatellite markers". Animal. 1 (4): 483–488. doi: 10.1017/S1751731107694178 . PMID   22444405.
  15. ↑ Chowdhury, Fatima (11 February 2011). "The Gods of Polo". The Southasia Trust. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
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