Marjing Polo Statue

This article is about the main structure inside a polo sports complex in Imphal. For the polo complex, see Marjing Polo Complex.

Marjing Polo Statue

Marjing Sagol Kangjei Mitam[1]
Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest statue of a polo player, during the G20 summit, commemorating Meitei civilization, as the Cradle of "modern polo"[2]
24°52′46″N 93°57′15″E
Location	Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang Ching (Marjing hills), Heingang, Imphal East District, Manipur
Designer	Professor Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University[3][4]
Type	equestrian statue
Material	steel (inner material) and bronze (outer material)[3][4]
Height	122 feet (37 m)[a][5][6] (previously planned on "160 feet (49 m)"[7][8])
Beginning date	April 2016[8]
Completion date	November 2022[9]
Opening date	6 January 2023
Dedicated to	Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse (Manipuri pony)
Inaugurated by	Amit Shah[5]

The Marjing Polo Statue (Meitei: Marjing Sagol Kangjei Mitam) is a colossal classical equestrian statue of a player of Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo game'), riding a Meitei horse (Manipuri pony), 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 (Meitei for 'Manipur').^[10][4] It is the world's tallest statue of a polo player.^[11][12][4] It is built to commemorate the game of "modern polo" being originated from Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur').^[13][14][9]

Description

The Marjing Polo Statue is 122 feet (37 m) tall.^[15][6] The cost of construction of the statue is ₹39 crore (US$4.6 million).^[5][16]

The gigantic polo statue stands above a pedestal of a three-storey building, with recreational facilities.^[14]

The statue's inner structure is made of steel and its outer surface is covered by bronze. Its design is prepared by Professor Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University.^[3][4]

Previously, during January-April 2016, the Government of Manipur planned to build the statue with a height of 160 feet (49 m) at the construction cost of ₹12 crore (equivalent to ₹17 crore or US$2.0 million in 2023).^[17][8]

Prior to the construction of the statue, a roadway was made up to the base of the place where the statue was to be built, for which permission was granted to the construction team by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.^[3][4]

Marjing Polo Statue during construction

Inauguration

On 6 January 2023, the Marjing Polo Statue was inaugurated by Amit Shah, the then Minister of Home Affairs of the Union Government of India,^[15][6][18] in the presence of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur,^[19] at a function organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur.^[20]

Regarding the inauguration, Amit Shah stated:

"It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur. Today, inaugurated a 122 feet Marjing polo statue at the Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal. This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game."

— Amit Shah, 06-01-2023^[19][18]

Significance

Nongthombam Biren, the Chief Minister of Manipur, said that the 122 feet tall Marjing polo statue will "highlight the significance of the birthplace of Polo and revive the glory of Manipur".^[18][19] He also stressed the significance of the statue, being the tallest and the biggest polo statue, inaugurated in recognition of Sagol Kangjei, Sagol Lanmi (Meitei for 'cavalry'), Arambai, etc.^[20]

See also

• Daughters of the Polo God
• Hapta Kangjeibung
• Manipuri Pony (film)
• Manung Kangjeibung
• Polo in India

Notes

1. Many news websites mislead the height as "110 feet", "120 feet", etc.

References

1. "জি-২০ দেলিগেদশিংগী মনিপুর খোঙচৎকী নিনি চনবা নুমিত্তা পুৱারিগা শাগোন্নবা মফমশিং অমসুং লমকোয়ফমশিংদা য়েংখ্রে". pib.gov.in (in Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
2. "Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur". pib.gov.in (in English and Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
3. "Polo statue work yet to take off: 17th feb16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
4. "World's tallest polo statue to be constructed in Mnp". Nagaland Post. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
5. "Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 21 development projects worth Rs. 1,311 crore at Moirang, Manipur today". Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 10 January 2023. Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Medical College of worth Rs. 46 Crore at Churachandpur and unveils 122 feet tall Marjing polo statue of worth Rs. 39 crore
6. "Manipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates 122-feet-high Marjing Polo statue". India Today NE. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
7. "Rs 12 crores sanctioned to erect 160 feet tall polo statue at Heingang Hill: MLA Biren – KanglaOnline". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
8. "Spadework for Marjing tourist circuit begins: 28th apr16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
9. "Construction Of Much-Awaited 120-Ft-Tall Effigy Of 'Sagol Kangjei' Completed; Upholds Historical Significance Of Polo Sport". Northeast Today. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
10. "Sagol Kangjei: The ancient polo of Manipur, played on the celebrated Manipur Pony". The Indian Express. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
11. "Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur". pib.gov.in (in English and Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
12. "Manipur: Amit Shah will unveil the tallest statue of the polo player, will hoist the tricolor at the historic site - News8Plus-Realtime Updates On Breaking News & Headlines". 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
13. "Manipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Unveils 122-feet-tall Polo Statue In Imphal". Ukhrul Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
14. "120 feet Polo Statue to be Build [sic] in Manipur, the Birthplace of the Sport". News18. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
15. "Amit Shah inaugurates 122-feet-high Marjing Polo Statue in Manipur". ANI News. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
16. "Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 21 development projects at Manipur today - NE India Broadcast". 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
17. "Rs 12 crores sanctioned to erect 160 feet tall polo statue at Heingang Hill: MLA Biren – KanglaOnline". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
18. "Amit Shah inaugurates 122 feet tall Marjing Polo Statue". Signpost News. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
19. "Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates 122-feet Marjing Polo Statue in Manipur". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
20. "Amit Shah inaugurates, lays foundations of 21 projects: 08th jan23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 10 January 2023.

External links

• Marjing Polo Statue at e-pao.net