British and Indian members of an Indian Army polo team, 1920 (c)

Photograph, India, 1920 (c).

Although various forms of polo had been played on the subcontinent for hundreds of years, it was the British during the second half of the 19th century who formalised this ancient sport into the game we know today. The Indian Army quickly took up the sport from the 1860s onwards.

From an album of photographs, letters and newspaper cuttings associated with the 18th King George's Own Lancers, 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse) and 19th King George's Own Lancers, 1858-1961; inscribed on cover, 'Presented by the 19th KGV's Own Lancers Ex-officers Reunion Association 1958', with a foreword by Major General Roland Dening, 1960.