Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s3.t1.8

c7.s3.t1.8

*Polo and Horse-racing, etc.*—The most aristocratic of outdoor games was polo, and of amusements, horse-racing. The precise origin of polo is still difficult to fix. The game has been traced as far back as the reign of the founder of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia.² It was introduced by the Muslims into Hindustan, where it soon became popular among all classes. In fact, the first Sultan of Delhi, Qutb-un-din Aibak died of an accident in playing polo at Lahore.³ The Turks were very fond of the game; one of the emblems of court offices was represented by a polo-stick and ball of gold. The popularity of the game did not suffer when at a later date the kingdom passed into the hands of the Afghans.⁴ The Rajput skill in playing polo was similarly very high.⁵