The Ancient Origins and Modern Evolution of Polo
Last updated: June 2026
From Persian cavalry training grounds to the manicured fields of Buenos Aires, polo has endured as humanity's oldest team sport. Discover the remarkable journey of the "Sport of Kings."
Where Did Polo Originate?
Polo originated in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) and Central Asia. Its ancestor was chovgan, an equestrian ball game; sources date its first play in Persia to somewhere between the 6th century BC and the 1st century AD. Many scholars suggest it began as a simple folk game among the mounted peoples of the region, and a rough relative, buzkashi (also called kokpar), is still played in parts of Central Asia.
The game was an important pastime at the Sasanian Persian court (224 to 651 CE). It spread west to the Byzantine Empire and, most likely along the Silk Road, east to China, where it was popular in the Tang dynasty capital of Chang'an.
The modern game took shape in India. The English word "polo" comes from the Balti word for "ball" (related to the Tibetan pulu) and was anglicised from the name used in Manipur. English tea planters in Silchar, Assam, set up a European polo club in 1859 after learning the game from Manipuri players, and the Calcutta Polo Club followed in 1862. British officers then carried polo to England, where the 10th Hussars first played it in 1869, and on to the rest of the world.
Read the long-form history of polo, browse the timeline below, or start with what polo is and how it is played.
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Polo; Wikipedia, Polo (History: Origins and etymology; India and Britain), which cites the Encyclopaedia of Islam, the Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity and Horace Laffaye, The Evolution of Polo (2009).
Interactive Polo Timeline
Explore key moments in polo's 2,600-year evolution. Click on events to learn more.
Cultural Impact
How polo shaped societies and was shaped by them
The Sport of Kings
From Persian emperors to British royalty, polo has always been associated with power and prestige. The phrase "Sport of Kings" reflects its aristocratic origins and the immense wealth required to compete at the highest levels.
Empire & Colonialism
Polo spread with the British Empire, taking root in India, Africa, and the Americas. This colonial legacy shaped the sport's global distribution and established traditions still observed today.
Horse Breeding Revolution
Polo drove advances in equine breeding, particularly the development of the Argentine polo pony—a cross of Thoroughbred and Criollo horses considered the gold standard worldwide.
Explore Further
Polo's modern rules were first codified in 1874 and continue to evolve under the Federation of International Polo. The handicap system rates every registered player from −2 to 10 goals, making polo one of the few team sports where players of unequal ability compete fairly. Argentina has produced more 10-goal players than any other nation; the United Kingdom remains the sport's spiritual home in Europe. At the summit of the game, the world's elite 10-goal players compete for titles including the Argentine Open — the sport's most prestigious prize — and international Test Matches between nations. Away from the codified game, the ancient freestyle polo played in Pakistan survives largely unchanged — a living link to the sport's roots in the region.
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Polo History FAQ
Common questions about the origins and evolution of polo through the centuries.