Indian Field Hockey team was arguably the best in the sport during early and mid 20th century. The team won 7 out of 8 Olympics from 1928 to 1964. The rise of that fierce team can be attributed to Dhyan Chand. He is believed to be the best of his time and an all time great of the sport. His excellence in the sport earned him the names "The Wizard" and "The Magician". He was specially known for his control over the ball and goal scoring abilities apart from winning three Olympic gold medals for the team in 1928,1932 and 1936.
EARLY LIFE
Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad(now Prayagraj) on 29th August 1905. His father, Sameshwar Singh, served in the British Indian Army and also played hockey for them. His elder brother was also a hockey player.
Chand never liked any particular sport in his childhood. He loved only wrestling and played other casual games. He started playing Hockey with his friends by using tree branches as hockey sticks. His interest grew and skills got gradually developed.
INITIAL CAREER
Dhyan Chand joined the British Indian Army at the age of 16 and started playing Hockey for them. He learned the basics of the game from his mentor within the army and was later coached by Pankaj Gupta.
He participated in different army tournaments from 1922 and showcased his extraordinary skills in the hockey field. He then played for the Indian Army Team in their New Zealand tour in 1926 where they won 18 matches, drew two and lost only one. Dhyan Chand was praised for his stunning performance and was named a Lance Naik in the Punjab Regiment after he returned from the tour.
WIZARDRY IN OLYMPICS
As Hockey was to be reintroduced in Olympics in 1928, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was formed and they started looking for the best team that could be sent to the Olympics. With this view, Inter Provincial Tournament was organised in 1925 and Dhyan Chand was permitted to play for United Provinces as the army decided to skip the tournament. His dribbling, control over ball, and goal scoring ability impressed everyone and got him selected in the Indian Hockey Team.
In the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, Dhyan Chand scored 14 goals in 5 matches taking charge as the centre-forward player. He scored 2 out of 3 goals in the final against Holland and secured the first Olympic Gold medal for the Indian Team.
Chand took his game to a different level in the next few years and helped India to defend their Olympic gold in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. His brother Roop Singh played alongside him that time and both of them performed exceptionally. In the final, India beat US 24-1 where Roop Singh and Dhyan Chand scored 10 and 8 goals respectively.
The Allahabad born legend was entrusted with the leadership in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. India met Germany in the final and defeated them 8-1 thus completing their first hat-trick of Olympic wins. Dhyan Chand played the game barefoot leaving the spectators awestruck. Hitler left the stadium halfway as he didn't want to see Germany losing. However, he came back later to present the awards.
It was believed that Hitler offered Dhyan Chand a job in German Army as he was impressed with his skills. But Dhyan Chand softly declined the offer.
RETIREMENT
After returning from Berlin, Dhyan Chand only played army hockey. The Indian Hockey team continued its glorious journey by winning gold medal in 4 out of the next 5 Olympics.
He scored 570 goals in 185 matches from 1926 to 1949. He then retired from army in 1956 as Major Dhyan Chand and was awarded Padma Bhushan the same year. After retirement, he took up coaching and was later named the chief coach at the National Institute of Sports.
He died at the age of 74 in 1979.
LEGENDS DON'T DIE
Dhyan Chand's birthday, 29th August, is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India. On this day, the President of India gives away sports awards such as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award and Arjuna Award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
There is a commemorative postage stamp and First-Day Cover in honour of him. There is also a statue of him in Jhansi.
The National Stadium in New Delhi is named after him and the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement in sports is named after him as well.
Thus, the legacy of the man will never be forgotten and he will continue to inspire generations.
Click here to read the first article of the series.
Click here to read other articles of Tathya Panjika.
Click here to read my other articles.
Let us now relive the making of the legend.
EARLY LIFE
Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad(now Prayagraj) on 29th August 1905. His father, Sameshwar Singh, served in the British Indian Army and also played hockey for them. His elder brother was also a hockey player.
Chand never liked any particular sport in his childhood. He loved only wrestling and played other casual games. He started playing Hockey with his friends by using tree branches as hockey sticks. His interest grew and skills got gradually developed.
INITIAL CAREER
Dhyan Chand joined the British Indian Army at the age of 16 and started playing Hockey for them. He learned the basics of the game from his mentor within the army and was later coached by Pankaj Gupta.
He participated in different army tournaments from 1922 and showcased his extraordinary skills in the hockey field. He then played for the Indian Army Team in their New Zealand tour in 1926 where they won 18 matches, drew two and lost only one. Dhyan Chand was praised for his stunning performance and was named a Lance Naik in the Punjab Regiment after he returned from the tour.
WIZARDRY IN OLYMPICS
As Hockey was to be reintroduced in Olympics in 1928, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was formed and they started looking for the best team that could be sent to the Olympics. With this view, Inter Provincial Tournament was organised in 1925 and Dhyan Chand was permitted to play for United Provinces as the army decided to skip the tournament. His dribbling, control over ball, and goal scoring ability impressed everyone and got him selected in the Indian Hockey Team.
Chand took his game to a different level in the next few years and helped India to defend their Olympic gold in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. His brother Roop Singh played alongside him that time and both of them performed exceptionally. In the final, India beat US 24-1 where Roop Singh and Dhyan Chand scored 10 and 8 goals respectively.
The Allahabad born legend was entrusted with the leadership in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. India met Germany in the final and defeated them 8-1 thus completing their first hat-trick of Olympic wins. Dhyan Chand played the game barefoot leaving the spectators awestruck. Hitler left the stadium halfway as he didn't want to see Germany losing. However, he came back later to present the awards.
It was believed that Hitler offered Dhyan Chand a job in German Army as he was impressed with his skills. But Dhyan Chand softly declined the offer.
RETIREMENT
After returning from Berlin, Dhyan Chand only played army hockey. The Indian Hockey team continued its glorious journey by winning gold medal in 4 out of the next 5 Olympics.
He scored 570 goals in 185 matches from 1926 to 1949. He then retired from army in 1956 as Major Dhyan Chand and was awarded Padma Bhushan the same year. After retirement, he took up coaching and was later named the chief coach at the National Institute of Sports.
He died at the age of 74 in 1979.
LEGENDS DON'T DIE
Dhyan Chand's birthday, 29th August, is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India. On this day, the President of India gives away sports awards such as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award and Arjuna Award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
There is a commemorative postage stamp and First-Day Cover in honour of him. There is also a statue of him in Jhansi.
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| Dhyan Chand's statue in Jhansi |
The National Stadium in New Delhi is named after him and the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement in sports is named after him as well.
On #NationalSportsDay paid floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary today, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. #MajorDhyanChand #NationalSportsDay2020 pic.twitter.com/e38ysutdjZ— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 29, 2020
Thus, the legacy of the man will never be forgotten and he will continue to inspire generations.
Click here to read the first article of the series.
Click here to read other articles of Tathya Panjika.
Click here to read my other articles.
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