The origin of polo can be traced from the ancient history. Polo is a game played by sitting on a horseback. As per the records of history, the Polo was played as long as 2500 years back. The primeval Persians used the term `Chaughan` for the game polo. Even the Chinese claim to have played Polo thousand years ago. But the Central Asia migrants are supposed to spread the game among all these ancient civilizations. The name of the game POLO was derived from the Tibetan word `PULU` which means ball. Polo was earlier supposed to initiate from Persia almost 525 years BC. But the English Guinness Book of world records findings confirmed that Manipur is the actual birthplace of Polo in India. Manipur is therefore known as the "Home of Polo". The game became a tool to promote equestrian and military skills and it acted like a test of skill of princes and warriors. Great warriors like Genghis Khan, Darius and Alexander the Great played the polo in India.

British Captain Robert Stwert along with few British officers and tea planters brought the modern form of Polo known as "English Polo" at Silchar, Cachar, Assam in 1859. This was a landmark in the history of Polo in India. They learnt the game from Manipuri military men who were then living in Cachar along with the king, Maharaj Chandra Kirti Singh. The British also set up a Polo Club at Borjalenga in Silchar, Assam. This is now the oldest polo club in the world. The modified form of Polo started in England only after two Manipuri teams played Sagol-Kangjei at Calcutta in 1863.

Two teams having 4 players on 4 horses play the Polo in India. The ground of Polo in India is generally of 230 to 275 metres in length and 146 to 180 metres in width. The goal posts each of 7 feet are placed at seven and a half meter away from each other at both the ends of the field. Side and goal lines are marked surrounding the field. White and red coloured flags are placed in the four corners for indication. Yellow and blue coloured flags placed at the sidelines indicate 30 and 60 yards` free hit lines. Even the two centers of the sidelines are marked with white flags.

The Polo in India continues for 4 to 6 rounds where each round consists of seven and half minutes. Here, again after 2 or 3 rounds a half time break is taken and in the meantime the horses are altered.

The Polo players in India hit the ball with their stick towards the goal post. If any rival player blocks the free stroke then the striking player gets the chance of a free hit towards the goal post of the defaulting player. In any case of foul play like criss-crossing the horses, hooking or hitching up opponents sticks, such free hits are permitted. The game commences when the mounted umpire throws the ball towards the players lined up at the center. Polo in India has two mounted umpires who have line judges to help them. The judges show a red flag signal for a goal.

Apart from these people, there is also a match referee with a timekeeper who controls the game from outside the field. In case of any serious controversy in the game a five-member board of juries sitting outside come for a settlement.

In Manipuri Polo game, two teams of seven members in each side play with a cane stick and the ball is made of bamboo root. The players wear tight dhotis tucked above the knees and a half sleeve local made jacket. They also wear white turbans on head. The two teams can wear only red and yellow clothes. Manipuri Polo doesn`t have any fixed size of field.

Unlike in modern Polo Manipuri Polo in India allow the players to catch and strike the ball freely while it is in the air. Even if it is a very dangerous way of playing, it is considered as a heroic shot on his part. The Manipuri actually allows all kinds of experiments and wild way of playing the game. There are more than 35 Polo clubs in Manipur only, which take part in various tournaments around the world. Inspired by the foreign women Polo players, the Manipuri ladies have also started to take part in various local Polo tournaments. Polo in India was earlier regarded as the royal game but even after the end of Kingship in the country the game continues to remain as popular as earlier. But the high costs of the horses and lofty expenditure in their maintenance have bounded the game among the rich and aristocrat people of the cities only.

The builder of Qutub Minar, Sultan Qutub Uddin Aibak died of a fatal accident after a fall on the Polo field in Lahore. But it was Babar, who himself was a great Polo player was supposed to establish Polo in India. He had set some rules for the game and also had a huge stable near Agra. At that time, Polo in India was the national sport of the country. Polo in India is getting contionous support from the Indian army and royal family members to continue with its heritage. But still the future of Polo in India does not seem to be very bright.

Indian Polo started getting sponsorship from the corporate sector also since 1990s. It came to a great help regarding financial resources. Thus the game became more glamorized and media entered the scenario of Polo in India. The corporatisation of Polo in India maximized the reputation of the game and young players started to accept it as a professional sport.

Devyani Rao is one of the female Polo players in India. She has represented India in many International events and earned lots of accolades too. To name a celebrity in the line of Polo, one can say Sanjay Kapur, husband of actress of Karishma Kapur.

The Jaipur Polo grounds in Delhi along with Delhi Race club becomes major attraction point in every winter for the high profile players and sponsors gathering there to enjoy the game.

Polo in India is not only a game but also a passion for many aristocrats. But it has to be a little more affordable for the common people so that it gets as much spectators as it is seen in Manipur where the game is cheaper.