History of The Birth of the Indian Hockey Team

Before 2008, Hockey India was called the Indian Hockey Federation. The first time that Indian Hockey Federation applied for FIH membership was in 1927. 

It was formed so that India, as a country, can compete in the Olympics. 

They ensured their membership in 1927 and the Indian hockey team participated in their first Olympics in 1928. 

It was the start of a culture that is decorated by 8 Olympic gold medals, 6 consecutive gold medals and 10 consecutive medals in hockey.
 
History 
 
Hockey was introduced by the British in the Indian army during their rule. 
In the late 18th and early 19th century, modern hockey was introduced. It was introduced in the early 1850's.

The first hockey club was started in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1855. Hockey also started becoming popular in the country especially among the children since they could play hockey on normal grounds or even on large grounds. 

Hockey is mainly played in the lands of North India, mostly in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh. Many other states opened Hockey clubs in their states to promote the sport.

There were talks for the formation of the Indian Hockey Federation by 1907 and 1908, but nothing was done about it. 

One year after the formation of the International Hockey Federation in 1924, the India hockey federation was formed in 1925.
 
The Indian Hockey Federation also arranged for the first tour of New Zealand where the Indian hockey team played 21 matches and won 18 matches.

This tour took place in 1926 in New Zealand.
 
This tour saw the emergence of Major Dhyan Chand and many others who undoubtedly became the greatest players of all time.
 
Permanent status of Field hockey in the Olympics was assured by the International Hockey Federation in 1928 Amsterdam Olympic.
 
Domination in Olympics
 
Before Independence:
 
The Indian hockey team dominated the Olympics from it's first Olympic games where the Indian hockey team played 5 matches and scored 29 goals. 

Major Dhyan Chand, also called as the wizard, scored almost 14 goals. H helped India to win their first ever gold medal in the Olympics. 

The only hinderance to that first win was that India won their first gold under the British rule. Many players weren't happy at all. The Hockey team wished to play and win for a free India. 

 
Major Dhyan Chand was essential for winning the next three Olympic gold medals for India. 

During the 1936 Olympics, a German player attacked Dhyan Chand's head with their hockey stick. 

However, Dhyan Chand and the Indian team won the gold medal for their country.
 
Even after winning many medals, the team was upset since their country was being ruled by the adamant Britishers. This had disheartened many players including Major Dhyan Chand.
 
After Independence:
 
After 1947, India was finally independent but a heavy price had to be paid. 

We lost many of our brave freedom fighters, the partition divided the country and the partition of the Indian hockey team weakened the sport. 
 
A fighter is always a fighter and what they know best is how to fight.
 
In the 1948 London Olympics, the Indian hockey team flew from India to London to beat their former rulers, the British, and to win a gold medal for Independent India. 

Indian hockey also found a new upcoming legend named Balbir Singh Kular. 

In the 1948 London Olympics India won the gold medal without losing even a single match. This shows the passion of the players for the sport and their country. 
 
This was a proud moment since India dominated hockey as an Independent India not as British India.
 
After the London Olympics gold medal, the Indian hockey team's winning spree continued in 1952 and 1956 Olympics where we won the gold medal without losing even a match. 

During this time hockey was mainly dominated by India and Pakistan. India also completed a second hat trick of gold medals after winning the gold in 1948, 1952, and 1956.
 
However, this winning spree had its end in the 1960 Rome Olympics where the Indian team lost to the Pakistani team in the final match and settled with a silver medal.
 
Redemption was taken by the Indian hockey team when they beat Pakistan in the final Olympic match in the next 1964 Tokyo Olympics. 
 
Decline of Hockey
 
Hockey started declining in India after India saw its lowest performance in the 1966 Olympic where we were only able to win a bronze. 

In 1972, India won again but in 1976 the Indian hockey team was not able to win any Olympic medal. The 10 consecutive medals streak was broken in 1976.
 
The Indian team was able to win a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics but after that there has been a drought of medals till the 2020 Olympics.
 
The lowest of the team is yet to be seen when the Indian hockey team is not able to even qualify for 2008 Olympics. Many sports journalists believe that this would be the death of hockey in India. 
 
It has been 41 years that the Indian hockey team has not won any medal in hockey. Many sports pundits blame ASTRO turf for the decline of hockey in India.
 
However, as I mentioned earlier, a fighter knows how to fight. 

The Indian hockey team fought hard and in the recent 2020 Olympics we were able to win a bronze medal. 
 
Written by Ritik Gupta

Edited by Jerusha Patel