Commemorative stamp issued by the Indian post in 1980.

Major "Dhyan Chand" Singh (1905-08-29–1979-12-03) was a former Indian hockey player and Olympian. Regarded as the best hockey player ever, and mesmerised Adolf Hitler for his exploits in the sport. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour. he got the title "Chand" or (moon) from his first coach, Pankaj Gupta, who predicted he would one day shine like a chand or moon. Dhyan Chand was affectionately called Dadda. Image File history File links Dyan Chand, former Indian field hockey captain. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A game of field hockey in progress Field hockey is a popular sport for men and women in many countries around the world. ... For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ... â–¶ (help· info) (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 and Führer (Leader) of Germany from 1934 to his death. ... The Padma Bhushan is an Indian civilian decoration established on January 2, 1954 by the President of India. ...

Early life

Dhyan Chand was born to a Rajput family in Prayag in Uttar Pradesh. His father was an army subedar. Soon afterwards he moved to Jhansi where he spent his formative years. After an early education he joined the Indian Army at the age of 16, in 1922. He was a Sepoy of the 14 Punjab Regiment. Subedar-Major Bhole Tiwari of Brhamin regiment noticed his excellent dribbling skills and knack for scoring goals. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Map of India. ... Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: उत्तर प्रदेश, Urdu: اتر پردیش), also popularly known by its acronym UP, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Union of India. ... Subedar is a mid-level rank in the Indian Army. ... Jhansi is a city of Uttar Pradesh state, India. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bhartiya Sena) is the land force of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... A sepoy (from Persian سپاهی Sepâhi meaning soldier) was a native of India employed as a soldier in the service of a European power, usually of the United Kingdom. ... Punjab, 1903 Punjab Province, 1909 The Punjab (meaning: Land of five Rivers; also Panjab, Gurmukhi: ਪੰਜਾਬ, Shahmukhi: پنجاب) is a region straddling the border between India and Pakistan. ...

Player

In a match in 1927(?) he exhibited his skills against the English hockey team, netting 36 of India's 72 goals in 10 matches, at the London Folkstone Festival. 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

In 1928 Chand was selected to represent the Indian hockey team in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Chand helped India win the gold medal winning the finals against the Netherlands by a score of 3-0. He played in the centre-forward position and scored two of India's three goals. 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Games of the IX Olympiad were held in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. ... Amsterdam Location Country The Netherlands Province North Holland Population 742,951(1 January 2005) Coordinates 52°22′N 4°54′E Website www. ...

On the field he was named the "Wizard of Hockey" for he exerted complete control on the ball. It appeared that the ball used to stick to his hockey stick while playing. So great was the magic of Dhyan Chand that the Tokyo officials broke his hockey stick to search for a magnet inside, and tried to console themselves saying he had added some sort of glue. On one occasion, a lady from the audience asked Dhyan Chand to play with her walking stick instead. He scored goals even with them! An artist in Vienna depicted him as having eight arms. View of Tokyos Shibuya district Long a symbol of Tokyo, the Nijubashi Bridge at the Kokyo Imperial Palace. ... Vienna (German: Wien [viːn]; Slovenian: Dunaj, Hungarian: Bécs, Czech: Vídeň, Slovak: Viedeň, Romany Vidnya; Croatian and Serbian: Beč) is the capital of Austria, and also one of the nine States of Austria. ...

In the 1932 Summer Olympics held at Los Angeles, USA, the team under Lal Shah Bukhari defended their title winning the gold. The team routed the United States hockey team 24-1, a record that exists till today. He contributed eight of those goals, and along with his brother Roop Singh formed a formidable core of the team. That particular year, he had scored 133 goals out of India's 338. He was supposidely so fast that TV analysis of his gameplay was rendered too slow! The Games of the X Olympiad were held in 1932 in Los Angeles, United States. ... This article is about the largest city in California. ...

Dhyan Chand rated Beighton Cup final of 1933 as his most memorable match. The match was played between Jhansi Heroes and Calcutta Customs. Surprisingly, he did not score in that match. He only provided the vital pass for the lone goal scored by the Jhansi Heroes. On their return journey, the Jhansi Heroes were crammed in an unreserved third class compartment. However, the warm welcome received at the station made it the most memorable match for Dhyan Chand. 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jhansi is a city of Uttar Pradesh state, India. ... This article is on Calcutta/Kolkata, the city. ...

During a 1935 tour of New Zealand and Australia, he scored 201 goals out of the team's tally of 584 in 43 matches. Don Bradman and Dhyan Chand once came face to face at Adelaide in 1935, when the Indian hockey team was in Australia. After watching Dhyan Chand in action, Don Bradman remarked "He scores goals like runs in Cricket". Sir Donald George Bradman (August 27, 1908 - February 25, 2001) was an Australian cricket player who is universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, and one of Australias greatest popular heroes. ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a population of almost 1. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ...

1936 Summer Olympics final

Initially, Dhyan Chand's regiment refused to give him the permission to go to the 1936 Summer Olympics at Berlin, as it was engaged in a fight with the tribals in Waziristan. However, after a second request, the permission was given. The Games of the XI Olympiad were held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. ... The Games of the XI Olympiad were held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Flag of Waziristan Waziristan is a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² (4,473 mi²). It comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar between the Tochi river to the north and the Gomal river to the south, forming part of Pakistans...

Dhyan Chand captained the Indian team in 1936 Summer Olympics final. His team had gone down to the Germans in a friendly match, shortly before the Olympics. But this time, India's forward line was reinforced by the inclusion of Ali Iqtidar Shah Dara, who managed to reach Berlin just in time for the final. The Games of the XI Olympiad were held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. ...

In a patriotic note, they raised the Indian tricolour in the dressing room and sang Vande Mataram an Indian nationalist song, rather than the British national anthem, which they were obliged to sing. A tricolour is a flag or banner having three colours, usually in approximately equal size (horizontally or vertically) and lacking additional symbols. ... Vande Mataram (in Bangla: বন্দে মাতরম)is the national song of India. ...

Indians were leading 1-0 at the half time. In second half, they scored 7 goals. After trailing 0-6, the Germans are reported to have resorted to body play. In a clash with the German goalkeeper, Dhyan Chand broke one of his teeth, but was soon back in action. A goalkeeper leaves his feet to parry a shot on goal In many team sports, a goalkeeper (termed goaltender in some sports) is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal. ...

The match was attended by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler who left midway as he couldn't bear to see his "racially superior" team being demolished. Sensing something amiss, he was ordered to change his stick, but the flow of goals continued. India won the match 8-1, with Dhyan Chand scoring 3 goals. AIS Dara scored 2 goals while Roop Singh, Tapsell and Jaffer scored one goal each. A reporter said about Dhyan Chand's performance - "With a flick of the wrist, a quick glance of his eyes, a sharp turn and then another turn, and Dhyan Chand was through". ▶ (help· info) (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 and Führer (Leader) of Germany from 1934 to his death. ...

Adolf Hitler is said to have left his special box in a huff, after Germany's rout. Next day, he invited him for a meeting the following day. There are various accounts of the meeting. One is that Hitler asked Dhyan Chand what post did he hold in India. On learning that the hockey wizard was a mere Naik in the Indian army, Hitler offered to make Dhyan Chand a Field marshal should he decide to live in Germany. Dhyan Chand politely refused, saying that he had a large family to look after, in India. Another version is that Hitler called him up at the end of the match and asked him the question, "What will you take to play for Germany?" To this, Dhyan Chand replied "Nothing sir, India is my India". He had scored a total of 59 out of the team's tally of 175 that Olympics. Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ...

After World War II, he continued to play till the age 42. He hit a total of 61 goals in 22 matches against East Africa. In 1948 he retired from the sport. Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the globe and is accepted as... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Post retirement

After his retirement, Dhyan Chand earned a diploma in coaching from the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, in Punjab. However he found it difficult to coach something that was innate to him. Patiala is a city in the Punjab state of India. ... This article details the Indian state of Punjab. ...

Residents of Vienna, Austria honoured him by setting up a statue of him with four hands and four sticks, depicting his control and mastery over the ball. He remains the only sportsperson in India to have statues in his honour. One of his statues is near the India Gate, New Delhi while another has been erected in 2005 at Medak in Andhra Pradesh. Vienna (German: Wien [viːn]; Slovenian: Dunaj, Hungarian: Bécs, Czech: Vídeň, Slovak: Viedeň, Romany Vidnya; Croatian and Serbian: Beč) is the capital of Austria, and also one of the nine States of Austria. ... Built in the memory of more than 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the Afghan Wars and World War 1, the India Gate is one of the most famous monuments in Delhi. ... The Humayuns Tomb, situated in New Delhi, has an architectural design similar to the Taj Mahal. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Medak district is located in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Andhra Pradesh (ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్ in Telugu) (Āndhra Prādesh), is a state in south-eastern India and is part of the linguistic-cultural region of South India. ...

In 1956, at the age of 43, he retired from the army with the rank of Major. The Government of India honoured him that year by conferring him the Padma Bhushan (India's third highest civilian honour). However the Arjuna award for sports excellence was never awarded to him. 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major is a military rank denoting an officer of mid-level command status. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Padma Bhushan is an Indian civilian decoration established on January 2, 1954 by the President of India. ... The Arjuna awards were instituted in 1961 by the government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports. ...

Death

Chand however died penniless and uncared for in a hospital, receiving a meagre pension. Dhyan Chand was very sad to see India finish seventh at the Montreal Olympics, 1976. The Indian team included his son, Ashok Kumar. When he was on his deathbed at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, he reportedly told a doctor that Indian hockey was dying. He then went into a coma and died in 1979. City motto: Concordia Salus (Latin: Well-being through harmony) Province Quebec Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area  - % water 366. ... For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... All India Institute of Medical Studies (AIIMS) (created 1956) is a premier medical college located at New Delhi in India. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

Exactly a year after his death, the Indian Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in his honour. The Common Man featured in a Commemorative stamp released by Indian Postal Service in 1988 to mark 150 years of The Times of India. ...

National sports day

29 August, his birthday is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India. The President gives away sport-related awards such as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award on this day at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... A birthday is the date on which a person was born. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is India’s highest sporting honour. ... The Arjuna awards were instituted in 1961 by the government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports. ... Dronacharya Award is an award presented by the government of India for excellence in sports coaching. ... Immediately in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan is the Jaipur Column, topped by a star. ...

To commemorate his memory, the Government of India has instituted Dhyan Chand Award which is presented each year to those sportspersons who not only contribute through their performance but also contribute to the sport after their retirement.

Fan incidents

Dhyan Chand was a very simple man. Once he played in an exhibition match with a women's team at Prague, after the Olympic Games. A female fan was highly impressed by his game and expressed her desire to kiss him. He stepped back, saying that he was a married person! For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ...

Once, some time after the Partition of India, Dhyan Chand was seen at the Lahore railway station, on way to Peshawar as a part of the Indian team that was scheduled to take part in Joshan celebrations in Afghanistan. Thousands of his Pakistani fans rushed to the station to catch a glimpse of the wizard. The surging crowds led to breakdown of all arrangements. One of the members of the Indian team, Krishan Kumar Kakar narrated "Such was the scene on all stations right up to Peshawar where the train reached more than four hours behind the schedule." Britains holdings on the Indian subcontinent were granted independence in 1947 and 1948, becoming four new independent states: India, Burma (now Myanmar), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan (including East Pakistan, modern-day Bangladesh). ... South section of the Hazuri Bagh, looking south towards the Roshnai Gate The Minar-e-Pakistan, south-side view Lahore (لاھور) is a major city in Pakistan and is the capital of the province of Punjab. ... Peshāwar (translates to City on the Frontier from Persian; known as Pai-khawar in Pashto; in ancient times known as Purushapura in Sanskrit) is a city in Pakistans North-West Frontier Province (pop. ...

In 2002, the union sports ministry of India introduced a Lifetime Achievement Award in sports in the name of Dhyan Chand.

References

• The Indian who captivated even Hitler, Qaiser Mohammad Ali, Rediff.com
• Feature: Hockey's Genius - Dhyan Chand, Rohit Brijnath, PlanetFieldHockey.com