THE ANTIQUITY OF POLO 245 



four miles from Agra, and subsequently at Nagarchin, also near 

 Agra. In the ' Ain-i-Akbari,' written by the celebrated Abul 

 Fazl-i-Allami, the Emperor's Prime Minister and a work 

 which minutely describes the Court of Akbar, its regulations, 

 habits, and amusements as well as the system of government 

 chaugan is thus alluded to under the heading of ' Games ' : 



His Majesty, who is an excellent judge of mankind, uses these 

 sports as a latent means of discovering their merits. The games 

 are of various kinds, of which a few particulars shall be given. 



Professor Blockmann, whose translation of the 'Ain-i-Akbari 7 

 is acknowledged to be unsurpassed, thus renders the text : 



The Game of Cliaugdn. 



Superficial observers look upon this game as a mere amuse- 

 ment, and consider it mere play ; but men of more exalted views 

 see in it a means of learning promptitude and decision. It tests 

 the value of a man, and strengthens the bonds of friendship. 

 Strong men learn in playing this game the art of riding, and the 

 animals learn to perform feats of agility and to obey the reins. 

 Hence his Majesty is very fond of this game. Externally, the 

 same adds to the splendour of his court ; but, viewed from a 

 higher point, it reveals concealed talents. 



When his Majesty goes to the maiddn (plain or open field) in 

 order to play this game, he selects an opponent, and some active 

 and clever players, who are only filled with one thought, viz. to 

 show their skill against the opponents of his Majesty. From 

 motives of kindness, his Majesty never orders any one to be a 

 player, but chooses the pairs by the cast of the die. There are 

 not more than ten players, but many more keep themselves in 

 readiness. When one ghari (twenty-four minutes) has passed, 

 two players take rest, and two others supply their place. 



The game itself is played in two ways. The first way is to get 

 hold of the ball with the crooked end of the chaugan-stick and 

 move it slowly from the middle to the boundary pillars (hdl, i.e. goal). 

 This manner is called in Hindi rol. The other way consists in 

 taking deliberate aim and forcibly hitting the ball with the chaugan- 

 stick out of the middle ; the [opposing] player then gallops after it 

 quicker than the others and throws it back. This mode is called 



