biography of dhyan chand in english

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Dhyan Chand

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• International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health - Dhyan Chand [Field hockey player]
• IndiaNetzone - Biography of Dhyan Chand
• International Olympic Committee - Dhyan Chand: The hockey wizard who had the world on his stick
• MapsofIndia.com - 29th August 1905: Hockey Legend Dhyan Chand is Born
• Dhyan Chand - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

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Dhyan Chand (born August 29, 1905, Allahabad , India—died December 3, 1979, Delhi) was an Indian field hockey player who was considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.

Chand is most remembered for his goal-scoring feats and for his three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, and 1936) in field hockey, while India was dominant in the sport. He joined the Indian army in 1922 and came to prominence when he toured New Zealand with the army team in 1926. After playing in the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games , Chand captained the Indian team at the 1936 Games in Berlin, scoring three goals in the 8–1 defeat of Germany in the final match. During India’s victorious world tour of 1932, he scored 133 goals. Known as “the Wizard” for his superb ball control, Chand played his final international match in 1948, having scored more than 400 goals during his international career.

In 1956 he retired from the army with the rank of major. His son, Ashok Kumar Singh, was a member of India’s Olympic field hockey teams in the 1970s and scored the winning goal in the 1975 World Cup championship.

Dhyan Chand Biography

Birthday: August 29 , 1905 ( Virgo )

Born In: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India

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Also Known As: Dhyan Singh

Died At Age: 74

Spouse/Ex-: Janaki Devi

father: Sameshwar Dutt Singh

siblings: and Roop Singh, Mool Singh

Hockey Players Indian Men

Height: 5'7" (170 cm ), 5'7" Males

Died on: December 3 , 1979

place of death: Delhi, India

Cause of Death: Liver Cancer

education: Aligarh Muslim University

awards: Gold Medal in 1928 Amsterdam Olympics Gold Medal in 1932 Los Angeles Olympics Gold Medal in 1936 Berlin Olympics Padma Shri (1956)

You wanted to know

What were some of dhyan chand's notable achievements in hockey.

Dhyan Chand is widely regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. He won three Olympic gold medals in field hockey for India in 1928, 1932, and 1936.

How did Dhyan Chand get the nickname "The Wizard?"

Dhyan Chand earned the nickname "The Wizard" for his exceptional ball control, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability on the field. His playing style was so mesmerizing that spectators and opponents alike were in awe of his talent.

What impact did Dhyan Chand have on the popularity of field hockey in India?

Dhyan Chand's success and skill on the field played a significant role in popularizing field hockey in India. He inspired generations of aspiring hockey players and helped elevate the sport's status in the country.

How did Dhyan Chand's legacy continue to inspire future generations of Indian hockey players?

Dhyan Chand's legacy continues to inspire and motivate young Indian hockey players to strive for excellence and uphold the values of sportsmanship and dedication. His remarkable achievements serve as a source of pride and inspiration for the Indian hockey community.

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Dhyan Chand was known for his exceptional ball control and dribbling skills, which often left opponents mesmerized and struggling to keep up with him on the field.

He had an incredible goal-scoring record, with many of his goals being scored in crucial moments of the game, earning him the nickname "The Wizard of Hockey."

Despite his immense success and fame, Dhyan Chand remained humble and dedicated to the sport, always emphasizing the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Dhyan Chand's performances on the field were so impressive that he was once offered a position in the German military by Adolf Hitler himself, a testament to his universal recognition and admiration.

Even after his retirement, Dhyan Chand continued to be a source of inspiration for aspiring hockey players, with his legacy living on through the generations of athletes he influenced.

See the events in life of Dhyan Chand in Chronological Order

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Dhyan Chand

Awards & Achievements

• 1928- Gold medal   at the  Olympics , held in Amsterdam
• 1932- Gold medal at the  Olympics , held in Los Angeles
• 1936- Gold medal at the  Olympics , held in Berlin
• 1956- Bestowed with India's third-highest civilian award " Padma Bhushan"  by the Government of India

Major Dhyan Chand, the Indian Hockey legend is well-known for the goal-scoring ability that made him earn three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic  events, creating history. The iconic personality has served both in Army as well as at the hockey field throughout his life. Widely considered as the magician of hockey, the man had scored around 1000 goals in his active career which is a record feat.

Dhyan Chand was born on 29th August 1905 , in the city of "Sangam"- Allahabad to a British Indian Army employee Sameshwar Dutt Singh and Sharadha Singh . Due to his father’s frequent official transfers, he was not able to keep pace with the academics and had to drop down studies after schooling for just six years. The boy was initially interested in wrestling , but after joining the Indian Army at the age of 16 got more inclined towards field hockey. He used to undergo Army training during the daytime and practised hockey in the moonlight.

Photo Credits: wikimedia.org

Soon his perseverance paid him a favourable outcome as he was selected in the Indian Army hockey team for New Zealand tour in 1926 . Dhyan Chand left everyone spell-bound with his eye-catching performance, dominating  18 matches out of 21 with his team. In 1928 , he earned gold for the nation at the Olympic  event, held in Amsterdam . Dhyan Chand's speed and accuracy made him earn the title of " The Wizard " of hockey. He was so accurate and perfect in hockey that he could even sense if there were any flaws in the measurement of the field. 

With his team, Dhyan Chand repeated the victory again at the 1932 Olympics Games, defeating the USA by 24-1 and Japan by 11-1 and thus clinching a gold medal at the event. Undoubtedly, he had an unparalleled capability to blow the competition away. Dhyan Chand’s contribution is commendable in bringing India to the top-notch position at the international hockey events. In 1935 , Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman  remarked him, " He scores goals like runs in cricket ". There was even an airing that Adolf Hitler was so amazed by his skills that he offered him the post of Colonel in the German Army after watching his tremendous performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics . Dhyan Chand is one of the most successful captains of the Indian Hockey team. After his third consecutive win at the Olympics, Dhyan Chand played a vital role in the incredible victory of team India during an International tour, conquering 34 matches out of 37 with a contribution of 133 goals out of 338 , scored by the team.

Even after bidding farewell from the field, Dhyan Chand served at his best to hockey by playing and guiding the budding stars under his tutelage. He took retirement from the Indian Army as a “ Major ” in the year 1956 and was also honoured with the third Indian civilian award " Padma Bhushan"  by the Government of India for his sincere efforts in uplifting the sport of field hockey in India. Indeed, Dhyan Chand is regarded as the shining star of the hockey world that has been followed by many of the legendary people and also by the burgeoning stars. He will always lead the heart of hockey lovers as he used to lead the field in his times with his magical stick.  

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Dhyan Chand

Biographical information

Dhyan Chand won three gold medals as a center-forward for India and is considered the greatest hockey player ever. He learned the game from British army officers and had his first international competition in 1926 on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. He led India to gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. In 1947-48 he was still the star of the Indian team but declined selection to the 1948 team, which prevented him from being the only hockey player to have won four gold medals. At the Olympics Chand has two of the highest scoring individual performances ever. In 1932, against the United States, he scored eight goals in leading India to a 24-1 win, while in 1936 he scored three goals against Germany, as India won in the final, 8-1. His younger brother, Roop Singh, played on the 1932 and 1936 Olympic teams and his son, Ashok Kumar, won an Olympic bronze medal in 1972.

Other participations

Olympic family relations

• Brother of Roop Singh
• Father of Ashok Kumar

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Sporting Buzz

Major Dhyan Chand: Remembering The Hockey Wizard of Berlin Olympics

This article delves into the life and career of 'hockey wizard', major dhyanchand. his exceptional skills led india to win its first gold medal victory at the 1936 berlin olympics..

In the annals of Indian sports, few names shine as brightly as Major Dhyan Chand. A figure synonymous with exceptional skill and unparalleled sportsmanship, he is often hailed as the 'Wizard' of hockey for his extraordinary control over the ball.

His magnum opus came in the form of an unforgettable performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he led India to a gold medal victory that stunned spectators worldwide and etched his name permanently in sporting history.

Major Dhyan Chand: Early Life and Career

Born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, Dhyan Singh was introduced to hockey by his brother Mool Singh. He was called 'Chand,' meaning moon in Hindi, as his last name because he used to practice after sunset when the moon was out. In 1922, he joined the British Indian Army at a young age of sixteen and started playing army hockey tournaments.

The Rise to International Fame

Dhyan Chand's prowess soon caught attention beyond national boundaries. His first international exposure came during New Zealand's tour of India in 1926 where he impressed everyone with his skills. But it was not until the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928 that he truly announced himself on the global stage by scoring fourteen goals leading India to their first Olympic gold.

The Unforgettable Berlin Olympics

However, it was during the Berlin Olympics in 1936 that Major Dhyan Chand truly cemented his legendary status. Despite being under intense pressure due to political tensions surrounding Nazi Germany hosting these games, Chand led from front showcasing impeccable dribbling skills and unmatched goal-scoring ability which left spectators spellbound.

India played five matches en route their final against Germany; they scored a staggering total of thirty eight goals while conceding only one throughout this campaign - an incredible feat largely attributed to Chand's leadership and gameplay.

In a thrilling final against hosts Germany itself, India emerged victorious with an emphatic scoreline of 8-1; four goals were netted by none other than Major Dhyan Chand himself.

Major Dhyan Chand's outstanding performance at these games earned him accolades globally including high praise from Adolf Hitler who reportedly offered him German citizenship along with a rank in German Army - offers which were declined gracefully by our humble hero stating loyalty towards his motherland. However, this is believed to be a myth.

Dhyan Chand retired from international play post World War II but continued contributing significantly towards promoting hockey within India till late into his life; such dedication resulted him being bestowed upon Padma Bhushan award - third highest civilian honor - by Government of India posthumously.

On August 29, we remember Major Dhyan Chand not just for winning three Olympic gold medals or scoring over four hundred official goals throughout career but also for epitomizing spirit of true sportsmanship thus becoming beacon light inspiring generations ahead.

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(1905–79). Dhyan Chand of India was one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. He is most remembered for his goal-scoring feats and for his three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, and 1936) in field hockey, while India was dominant in the sport.

Chand was born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad, India. He joined the Indian army in 1922 and came to prominence when he toured New Zealand with the army field hockey team in 1926. After playing in the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games, Chand captained the Indian team at the 1936 Games in Berlin, Germany, scoring three goals in India’s 8–1 defeat of Germany in the final match.

Chand played his final international match in 1948, having scored more than 400 goals during his international career. In 1956 he retired from the army with the rank of major. He died on December 3, 1979, in Delhi, India.

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Dhyan Chand: Great Magician of Hockey

This legendary sportsperson paved the path of the british indian team to win three olympic hockey gold medals and scored over 400 goals in his international career. the hockey wizard‘s birth anniversary today is observed as national sports day..

He was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, on August 29, 1905, to Sameshwar Dutt Singh, who was employed in the British Indian Army, and Sharadha Singh. As a boy, he attended school for just six years owing to his father’s transferable job. He graduated from Victoria College, Gwalior in 1932. Although the youngster’s father as well as brothers played hockey, young Dhyan Chand did not show an inclination for the sport till later on in his life.

In 1922, Dhyan Chand joined the British Indian Army as a sepoy at the age of 16 and took up hockey. He began playing in army hockey tournaments and in 1926 made it to the British Indian Army team which was to tour New Zealand. The team won 18 matches out of 21 and the youngster won a lot of appreciation for his performance.

He was promoted to the Lance Naik’s post. When hockey was reintroduced in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, he won a place in the Indian team. Dhyan Chand scored three goals in India’s debut Olympic match against Austria, which the team won 6-0. India also defeated Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland en route to the final. India beat Netherlands 3-0 to win their first Olympic gold medal. Dhyan Chand was the hero of the 1928 Olympics with a tally of 14 goals in five matches.

In the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, Dhyan Chand made it to the national team, as did his brother Roop Singh. India again clinched the gold medal. Thereafter, the Indian team went on an international tour that included the United States and England. India won 34 matches out of 37 during the tour, with Dhyan Chand netting 133 of the 338 goals scored by the country.

In 1934, he became the captain of the Indian hockey team and led the squad to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. There too, his magic propelled India to its third successive Olympic gold. He played hockey till the late 1940s.

Personal life

Dhyan Chand married Janaki Devi in 1936 and had seven sons. In 1956, he retired from the army holding the rank of major. One of his sons, Ashok Kumar Singh, was a member of India’s Olympic hockey teams in the 1970s and scored the winning goal in the 1975 World Cup championship. After retirement, he taught at coaching camps in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

Later, he accepted the position of Chief Hockey Coach at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, which he held for several years. His last days were spent in penury in Jhansi, his hometown. He died on December 3, 1979 at the age of 74.

Awards, achievements and legacy

In 1980, the Indian government issued a commemorative postage stamp in Dhyan Chand’s honour – making him the only hockey player to so feted. An astroturf hockey pitch at the Indian Gymkhana Club in London has been named after him. In 2002, the National Stadium in New Delhi was renamed Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

A hostel at Aligarh Muslim University, of which he was an alumnus, was also named after him. In his career, he scored more than 1,000 goals, of which 400 came in international matches. India’s highest award for lifetime achievement in sports bears his name.

Interesting Facts

1.His original name was Dhyan Singh. He practised during the night after work, waiting for the Moon to appear for an improved visibility. Fellow players began calling him Chand meaning Moon in Hindi.

2.The best compliment Dhyan Chand ever got was from none other than Australia’s batting legend Don Bradman. The legendary batsman told the hockey legend that he scored goals like he scored runs.

3. His wizardry was such that people doubted his real skills. It is said that the officials in Netherlands once broke Dhyan Chand’s hockey stick to check whether there was a magnet inside.

4.Once, when Chand was unable to score he argued with the match referee about the measurement of the goal post. He was right, as the post did not meet the minimum width prescribed in the rules.

5.It is believed that after India defeated Germany in the 1936 Olympics final, Hitler offered the post of Colonel in the army if Dhyan Chand migrated to Germany. He declined the offer.

Sources: wikipedia, Britannica.com, sportskeeda.com & thefamouspeople.com

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Dhyan Chand Age, Death Cause, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Dhyan Chand

• Dhyan Chand is considered the greatest player in the history of Hockey, famously known as the “Wizard of Hockey” or in Hindi as “Hockey Ka Jadugar.”
• Dhyan Chand had no serious inclination towards sports as a child. Though he used to indulge in casual games with friends. In fact, he did not play field Hockey until he joined the army.
• He had to quit school after class 6th as his father was in the army and the family had to shift frequently because of the transfers.
• Once when Dhyan Chand was 14 years old, he accompanied his father to watch a hockey match. Watching a team lose by 2 goals, Chand asked his father wether he could play from the losing side. His father agreed, and Dhyan Chand scored four goals in that match. Watching his performance, the Army officials were so impressed, and he was offered to join the army.
• He joined the British Indian Army as a sepoy in 1921, at the age of 16.
• Dhyan Chand’s real name was Dhyan Singh. The “Chand” in his name literally means “The Moon” as he used to practice a lot at night. He was given this name by his first coach Pankaj Gupta.
• He played his first National match in 1925, and by his performance in that match, he was selected for the Indian National Team.
• He scored a hattrick in his International Debut match.

• India played 37 matches in a  world tour that followed the Olympics to recover their expenses. They won 34, drawing 2 and one match being canceled. Dhyan Chand alone scored 133 goals out of India’s 338.
• Dhyan Chand was appointed the captain of the team in December 1934.

• In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dhyan Chand was again the top scorer and India won the gold yet another time.

• It is said that even Adolf Hitler was impressed by Dhyan Chand’s game so much so that he offered him the Field Marshal position in the German Army.
• Dhyan Chand was chosen the captain of the Indian team in 1947 for a series of matches. Chand, though now in his forties, still managed to score 61 goals in 22 matches.
• He played his final international match in 1948.
• Dhyan Chand was not able to score a goal against the opposition in one of the matches. He then argued with the match referee about the measurement of the goal post and his claim turned out to be true. It was found that it did not comply with the official width of a goal post according to international rules.
• Dhyan Chand scored close to 400 goals in his international career from 1926 to 1948. Dhyan Chand retired from first-class hockey in 1948.
• Dhyan Chand retired from the army in 1956 aged 51, with the rank of Major.

“The Wizard” of Hockey World: Major Dhyan Chand Story

Major dhyan chand was one of the greatest hockey players globally and was called “the magician of hockey”. his life was full of ups and downs until he died in 1979 of cancer..

Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian hockey player whose contributions are unparalleled to the legacy of Indian hockey. In fact, he is considered one of the greatest hockey players to have ever lived. He was bestowed with titles like “The Wizard of hockey” or “Hockey ka Jaadugar” for his playing style and accomplishments. He helped his team win multiple Olympics gold medals and was an unstoppable force on the field.

Let’s examine how an aspiring military man turned into one of the most successful Olympians from India.

Major Dhyan Chand: Early Life

Major Dhyan Chand comes from a Rajput family from Allahabad & was born on 29th August 1905. His father was a military man and played hockey for the army. He and his younger brother Roop Singh pretty much followed their father’s footsteps in this department. Due to his father’s service, his family needed to move around a lot, and that caused Dhyan Chand to drop out of school.

Unlike many successful sportspersons, Dhyan Chand did not have any exemplary inclination towards sports in his childhood days. In 1922 when he was 17, Dhyan Chand joined the military, and that’s when he started playing hockey.

Major Dhyan Chand: Military Service & Hockey

• The first few years in the service, he played exclusively in military games. In 1926 he had the opportunity to tour Newzealand as a member of the Indian Army team. Impressively, their team won 18 matches and lost only one. After returning to India, he was promoted to ‘Lance Naik’.
• By his second Olympics, that is, the 1932 summer Olympics, Dhyan Chand was part of the 2/14 Punjab Regiment and was promoted to a Corporal or a ‘Naik’. In 1936 he was promoted to ‘Subedar’.
• He retired from the army on 29th August 1956 after 34 years of service. He was a lieutenant and an acting captain at the time of his retirement. Surprisingly, despite being known as Major Dhyan Chand, very little is known about his ranking and promotion to a Major.

Major Dhyan Chand: Name Mystery

Dhyan Chand’s birth name was actually Dhyan Singh. There are two possible reasons as to what brought about the change in name. Many sources suggest that it was due to his tendency to practice during the nighttime, under the moonlight, that his colleagues gave him the name ‘Chand’. The nickname stuck, and eventually, he was known by it.

On the other hand, in a recent interview, his son, Ashok Kumar, mentioned that his father was called ‘Chand’ by his first coach, who was impressed with his skills and predicted that he will shine like chand or the moon.

1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics

• Chand played in the Inter-Provincial Tournament with the United Provinces; this tournament served as a selection for the Amsterdam Summer Olympics. He played as a centre forward in the tournament, his game style brought him much attention, and he was able to secure a position in the Olympics team.
• On 17th May 1928, the Indian national hockey team made its Olympic debut with a match against Austria. They won this match, and Dhyan Chand scored 3 out of the 6 goals made by team India.
• The final match of the 1928 Olympics was on 26th May, and India played against the host country Netherlands for the match. India won the match by 3-0
• Dhyan Chand was the top scorer in this tournament, scoring 14 goals in 5 matches.

1932 - Los Angeles Summer Olympics

• For the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, Dhyan Chand was not required to go through any qualifiers.
• The opening match was on 4th August against Japan. India won that match by 11-1.
• The Indian team also set a world record when they won their match against the USA in a landslide victory of 24-1. This record was broken in 2003.
• Dhyan Chand and his brother Roop Singh were dubbed ‘hockey twins’ for their groundbreaking performance in the tournament.
• India scored another Olympic gold in hockey on 11th August 1932.

1936 Berlin Summer Olympics

• In the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, Dhyan Chand once again made it into the team without going through any qualifiers, and this time he was the team captain.
• India won its first match against Hungary on 5th August.
• For the final match, they went up against Germany, surprisingly they had lost a practice match to Germany right before the tournament, and that made tension run high among the Indian team members.
• On 19th August 1936, India defeated Germany with a score of 8-1, and Dhyan Chand scored three out of those eight goals.

Major Dhyan Chand: Awards and Records

• In 1957 (the year he retired), he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
• In 1979, the year he passed away, India Post issued a commemorative stamp in his honor. He is the only hockey player to have ever been put on a postal stamp.
• India’s highest lifetime achievement award in sports is named Dhyan Chand Award and has been awarded from 2002 to sportspersons who had contributed to their corresponding sport even beyond retirement.
• He scored over 400 goals in his entire career.
• In 2002, the National Stadium, Delhi, was renamed Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
• National Sports Day is celebrated in India on 29th August, in honor of Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday.
• There has been a bit of buzz and controversy around the government’s oversight on not awarding him with a Bharat Ratna yet. Fans and supporters of the sport and Dhyan Chand’s family were disappointed when the 2014 Bharat Ratna went to Sachin Tendulkar and C. N. R. Rao, despite Dhyan Chand being up for consideration.

Final Days: Liver Cancer

It is sad to say that his final days were spent in relative poverty and obscurity for a person of his stature and accomplishments. He was suffering from liver cancer and died very disappointed at the state of Indian hockey and the way the federation and the government treated him.

Son Not Allowed in Olympics

To add insult to the injury, his son Ashok Kumar was not allowed in the 1980 Moscow Olympics camp. He was late for the camp due to being engaged in finishing his father’s last rites. The utter disappointment at this treatment made Ashok Kumar quit the sport.

The continued underwhelming state of Indian hockey really bodes the questions: is Dhyan Chand’s legacy lost forever? Does it only live through titles and awards? Will Dhyan Chand’s spirit and vigor for the sport never return?

Laden with these doubts, we can only wait with bated breath and watch the future of Indian hockey unfold.

I’m an avid reader and a wobbly but driven writer, who hopes to make her mark in the world of writing one article at a time. I am passionate about creative writing and storytelling, for me this is where my love for art meets my love for language. I am pursuing my masters in English literature, a course that has equipped me to question, comment and analyse the world from diverse points of views, and writing is how I plan to not let these skills go to waste. In my free time I can be found neck deep in meme culture foraging for my next pop-culture obsession.

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Major Dhyan Chand Biography: Why He is known as ‘Hockey Wizard’? Know About All Greatest Player

August 29, 1905, marks the birth of Major Dhyan Chand Singh. He was born to Sharadha Singh and Sameshwar Singh in Allahabad, India. His journey led him to enlist in the Indian Army, an institution that served as the crucible in which his extraordinary aptitude for field hockey would come to prominence. 

Dhyan Chand, widely regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time, was born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad, India, and passed away on December 3, 1979, in Delhi. Chand's incredible goal-scoring ability and three consecutive Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, and 1936) cemented his legendary status. He joined the Indian army in 1922 and rose to prominence after a successful tour with the army team in New Zealand in 1926. Chand's impressive career highlights include captaining the Indian team to victory in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, scoring three goals in the final match against Germany, and netting 133 goals during India's triumphant 1932 world tour. Nicknamed "the Wizard" for his exceptional ball control, Chand played his final international match in 1948, having scored over 400 goals in his illustrious career.

Why is Major Dhyan Chand known as ‘Hockey Wizard’?

The appellation of the 'Hockey Prodigy' was bestowed upon Major Dhyan Chand, a name garnered through his preternatural acumen exhibited in hockey. His virtuosity in controlling the ball was of such mesmerizing quality that spectators routinely grappled with conceiving the plausibility of such adeptness emanating from mortal prowess. His capacity to manipulate the ball was great; he effortlessly manoeuvred past multiple defenders and scored goals with an uncanny ease. This captivating dimension of his performance culminated in the christening of the sobriquet 'Hockey Wizard,' a nomenclature impeccably encapsulating his enchanting proficiencies.

The Legend of Major Dhyan Chand

Dhyan Chand's rise culminated with his selection for the Indian Army team's tour of New Zealand in 1926. During the tour, India exhibited remarkable prowess, securing victories in 18 matches, drawing two, and succumbing to a solitary loss. This achievement garnered widespread acclaim, with Dhyan Chand particularly hailed for his outstanding performance in his inaugural international outing. Subsequently, upon his return, he attained the rank of Lance Naik within the Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army.

Major Dhyan Chand at the Olympics

Dhyan Chand's showing at the inter-provincial tournament, positioned as the centre-forward alongside his partner George Martins, solidified his presence in India's pioneering Olympic hockey lineup. Despite contending with financial challenges ahead of their voyage to Amsterdam, the Indian hockey team seamlessly found their rhythm upon reaching the Dutch city.

Fore-fronting India was Dhyan Chand, whose prolific performance resulted in a remarkable 14 goals across 5 matches, culminating in a gold medal triumph during their inaugural Olympic endeavour.

Subsequent years would witness Dhyan Chand's legend blossoming exponentially, as the native of Allahabad elevated his game, pivotal in India's successful defence of their Olympic title at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. Notably, this victory held an added significance with the inclusion of his brother Roop Singh in the triumphant team.

Transitioning to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Dhyan Chand's role advanced to that of captaincy, a responsibility that invigorated his performance even further. During the competition, the Indian hockey team amassed a total of 38 goals, clinching yet another Olympic gold and giving only one goal in the final match. This achievement propelled India to secure an extraordinary hat-trick of successive Olympic gold medals, an unimaginable feat that underscored their dominance on the global stage.

Following his triumphant return from Berlin, Chand re-engaged with his regiment, dedicating himself to the realm of army hockey. Even as the sport in India soared to greater heights with luminaries like Balbir Singh Sr spearheading an era of unprecedented victories, Dhyan Chand's indelible contribution remained unmatched.

In 1956, Dhyan Chand concluded his army service at the rank of Major and was adorned with the esteemed Padma Bhushan, a distinguished civilian accolade in India. Swiftly transitioning to coaching, he assumed the role of chief coach at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala. His enduring legacy persisted until his passing in 1979, at the age of 74, leaving an indomitable imprint on the nation.

India annually commemorates its National Sports Day on August 29, Dhyan Chand's birthday and as an exclusive distinction, he is the sole hockey player to be honoured with a commemorative postage stamp and a First-Day Cover. The Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports stands as a prestigious national accolade bearing his name. Further immortalizing his memory, the national stadium in New Delhi bears his name, standing as a testament to his legacy. Dhyan Chand's saga continues to ignite the aspirations of countless hockey players, encapsulating an enduring source of inspiration.

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Major Dhyan Chand Biography, Birth Anniversary, Achievements

Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player. Check all about Major Dhyan Chand Biography, Early Life, Introduction to Hockey, Awards and Achievements.

Table of Contents

Major Dhyan Chand Biography

Major Dhyan Chand: Dhyan Chand Singh played hockey for India and is regarded as the all-time best player the sport of hockey has ever produced. He was likely the first Indian athlete to ever compete at a level of skill in any sport which led to numerous misconceptions about his hockey playing prowess.

Dhyan Chand Singh was born to Sameshwar Singh and Sharada Singh in Allahabad on August 29, 1905. In India, the anniversary of his birth is honoured as National Sports Day . For the civil services exam, read more about the incredible Indian athlete Dhyan Chand in this edition of This Day in History.

Major Dhyan Chand Birth Anniversary

Major Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad on August 29, 1905. He goes by the name of Major Dhyan Chand. His mother’s name was Sharda Singh and his father’s name was Sameshwar Dutt Singh; he is also referred to as a hockey wizard. His father served as an army subedar. The oldest of three brothers, Dhyan Chand, was. He had two further brothers, Mool Singh and Roop Singh.

Major Dhyan Chand’s Early Life

He was born to a Bais Rajput family on August 29, 1905, in Prayag (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. His father played hockey while serving as a Subedar in the Indian Army. When he was younger, he went by the name Dhyan Singh. He had two brothers, Mool Singh and Roop Singh, the latter of whom was a talented hockey player. Dhyan’s family moved around a lot before settling down permanently in Jhansi, thus he was unable to continue his schooling after the sixth grade.

Important Facts Related to Major Dhyan Chand

Famous Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand played the game. He continues to be regarded as the greatest hockey player India has ever produced. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dhyan Chand enlisted in the Indian Army at the age of 16. His impressive success in the regimental games and army hockey competitions revealed his untapped talent as a superb hockey player. He was selected without debate for the Indian Army team that will visit New Zealand.

Major Dhyan Chand: Introduction to Hockey

Although he loved wrestling a lot, Dhyan was not a big sports fan when he was little. With his companions, who had previously made hockey sticks out of tree branches and balls out of tattered garments, he began playing the sport. When he was 14 years old, he and his father went to a hockey game when one team was trailing by two goals.

Dhyan scored four goals for the team after insisting that his father play on the losing side and an Army Officer complied. Dhyan was 16 years old in 1922 when he was enlisted as a Sepoy in the Punjab Regiment after the officer was impressed by his abilities and offered him a place in the army.

In the Army, Subedar-Major Bhole Tiwari of the Brahmin Regiment served as Dhyan’s tutor and instructed him in the fundamentals of the sport. Dhyan Singh’s first coach, Pankaj Gupta, foretold that Chand, or the Moon, as it is known in Hindi, will one day shine brightly. As a result, Dhyan Singh later adopted the name Dhyan Chand.

Check here Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards List which was earlier known as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards.

Major Dhyan Chand Career Life

On August 29, 1922, Dhyanchand Singh enlisted in the British Indian Army. He was enlisted on behalf of the Punjab Regiment, for which Dhyanchand played solely in the Army Hockey Tournament and Regimental Games from 1922 to 1926. He was then chosen for the Indian Army team, which later travelled to New Zealand where they went on a tour and won 18 matches while losing just one. After that, the team won the first of two Test matches against the New Zealand team but lost the second. Gone Dhyanchand was elevated to Lance Nayak in 1927 after returning to India.

The newly created Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was ready to send its strongest squad to the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics after successfully advocating for the return of hockey to the Olympic programme. A provincial competition was organised to choose the team players in 1925. United Provinces (UP), Punjab, Bengal, Rajputana, and Central Provinces were among the five teams that participated in the inaugural teams. Dhyanchand was given approval by the Army to participate in the United Provinces team.

The Indian team was positioned in Division A of the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam alongside Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland. The Indian national hockey team defeated Austria 6-0 in their Olympic debut on May 17 thanks in large part to three goals from Dhyanchand. The following day, India defeated Belgium 9-0, but Dhyanchand managed just one goal. India defeated Denmark 5-0 on May 20, with Dhyanchand scoring three goals. He scored four goals in India’s 6-0 victory over Switzerland two days later. On May 26, India met the Netherlands at home. India was successful in defeating the host side 3-0 (with Singh scoring twice), and the Indian squad won their nation first gold medal at the Olympics.

On May 30th, the Indian team departed for San Francisco, and they arrived on July 6th. Three weeks prior to the Olympics’ July 30 opening ceremony, he arrived in Los Angeles. India defeated Japan 11-1 in their inaugural encounter on August 4, 1932. Dickie Carr scored just once, while Dhyanchand, Roop Singh, and Gurmeet Singh each scored three goals. India took against the host USA in the championship game on August 11. India once more won the gold medal with a score of 24-1, which was a world record at the time (it was surpassed in 2003).

Eight goals were scored by Dhyanchand, ten by Roop Singh, five by Gurmeet Singh, and one by Painegar. In reality, Chand and his brother Roop were responsible for 25 of India’s 35 goals. As a result, they gained the moniker “hockey twins.”

Dhyanchand received his first captaincy in a match against him in December 1934. During the 48 games he participated while serving as captain, India won 40 games, and Dhyanchand scored 201 goals in 23 games. Chand maintained his number while serving in the Indian Army’s post-independence Emergency, which had IEC 3526, but it appears that he was not given a regular commission. He won the first Dhyanchand competition in 1951 at the National Stadium in India, where he gave the crowd accolades.

Major Dhyan Chand & Beginning of Legendary Days

There are numerous instances that highlight the magnificence of Dhyan Chand’s incredible abilities as a fantastic hockey player. In one of them, he scored three goals in the final four minutes of a game when his team was trailing by two goals, giving them the victory. This was the Punjab Infantry Tournament’s championship game in Jhelum. Dhyan Chand was dubbed the “Hockey Wizard” following this game.

In the first Inter-Provincial (National) Hockey competition, which was held in 1925, Dhyan Chand performed brilliantly. The competition featured five teams: Central Provinces, Punjab, Bengal, Rajputana, and United Provinces (UP). He was chosen for the Indian international hockey team based on his performance in the competition.

Awards and Honors of Major Dhyan Chand

In 1956, he received the Padma Bhushan, the nation of India’s highest civilian honour. In 1956, Dhyan Chand received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to sports. He was born on August 29, 1905, in the United Provinces and British India’s Allahabad. India’s National Sports Day has been proclaimed to fall on his birthday. The Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards are given out on this day as part of the national recognition for excellent athletic achievement. The Indian Olympic Association named Dhyanchand the player of the century.

Achievements

• Won 3 gold medals in Olympic games
• Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956

Major Dhyan Chand’s Death

His final years were spent in Jhansi, where he was born and raised. It is heartbreaking to learn that this renowned player was entirely overlooked and forgotten by the country for which he played in his final days. By the time it was all through, he was even unable to receive appropriate medical care. On December 3rd, 1979, this honourable Indian citizen quietly departed for heaven.

Major Dhyan Chand UPSC

Dhyan Chand gave his all to hockey even after bidding farewell to the pitch by playing and coaching the future players under his supervision. The Government of India recognised him with the third Indian civilian award, “Padma Bhushan,” for his honest efforts to advance the game of hockey in India after he retired from the Indian Army as a “Major” in 1956.

In fact, many renowned figures as well as up-and-coming stars have looked up to Dhyan Chand as the blazing star of the hockey world. With his legendary stick, he will always control hockey fans’ hearts as he once controlled the pitch.

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Major Dhyan Chand FAQs

Why is dhyan chand called major.

Known as “the Wizard” for his superb ball control, Chand played his final international match in 1948, having scored more than 400 goals during his international career. In 1956 he retired from the army with the rank of major.

Who is known as father of Indian hockey?

Major Dhyan Chand Singh is known as father of Indian hockey. He was also known as India's Hockey Wizard or The Magician of Hockey. He won 3 Olympic gold medals

Why is Major Dhyan Chand famous?

Major Dhyan Chand is to be known as the India's third field hockey captain in Olympics in 1905.

What was the full name of Major Dhyan Chand?

Major Dhyan Chand full name was Dhyan Singh.

What is the Major Dhyan Chand father name?

Major Dhyan Chand father name was Sameshwar dutt singh.

What is the Major Dhyan Chand mother name?

Major Dhyan Chand mother name was Sharadha Singh.

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Dhyan Chand Singh was an Indian Hockey player, and considered to be the all time greatest player the game of Hockey has ever seen the world over. He has probably been the only Indian player ever in any sport which skills so high that generated a number of myths about his abilities as a Hockey player.

Dhyan Chand: Early Life

Introduction to hockey:.

In his younger days, Dhyan was not much interested into sports although he liked wrestling a lot. He started playing Hockey with his friends who used to themselves make Hockey sticks from tree branches and balls from ragged clothes. At the age of 14 years he visited a Hockey match with his father, where one team was down by 2 goals. He insisted his father to play from the losing side, and when an Army Officer let him do so, Dhyan scored 4 goals for the team. Impressed by his skills, the Officer offered him to join the army and at the age of 16 years Dhyan was inducted into the Punjab Regiment as a Sepoy in the year 1922. Subedar-Major Bhole Tiwari of Brahmin Regiment became Dhyan’s mentor inside the Army and taught him the basics of the game. Pankaj Gupta was the first Coach of Dhyan Singh who predicted that one day he would shine like the Moon, called Chand in Hindi. Hence, Dhyan Singh came to be known as Dhyan Chand after that.

Beginning of Legendary Days:

There are many incidents that describe the grandeur of Dhyan Chand’s amazing skills as a wonderful Hockey player. In one of them, he scored 3 goals in the last 4 minutes of a match wherein his team was losing by 2 goals, and got his team the victory in the match. This was the Final match of the Punjab Infantry Tournament in Jhelum. After this match, Dhyan Chand was named the “ Hockey Wizard ”.

Dhyan Chand delivered brilliant performance in the first Inter-Provincial (National) Hockey tournament that was organized in the year 1925. Five teams, viz. United Provinces (UP), Punjab, Bengal, Rajputana and Central Provinces participated in the tournament. On the basis of his performance in the tournament, he was selected for the International Hockey team of India .

International Career: Major Dhyan Chand

In the year 1926 Dhyan Chand was selected for the Indian Hockey team going to visit New Zealand at a tour. During the tour, the Indian team scored 20 goals in a match played at Dannkerke, and Dhyan Chand alone had scored 10 of them. India played 21 matches on the tour, out of which it won 18, lost 1 and drew 2 matches. The team scored a total number of 192 goals and Dhyan Chand alone had scored over 100 of them. After his return to India, he was promoted to the post of Lance Nayak in the Army. At the London Folkstone Festival in 1927, he scored 36 goals out of India’s total 72 goals, in 10 matches played at the event.

He played for the Indian Hockey team in the Amsterdam Olympic Games 1928, and scored 2 out of the 3 goals in the final match against Netherlands, getting India the Gold Medal by a 3-0 win. In the Los Angeles Olympics 1932, the Indian team led by Lal Shah Bukhari again won the Gold Medal. In the tournament, the Indian Hockey team defeated the USA Hockey team by 23-1, which remained a world record until it was broken in the year 2003. Out of these 23 goals, 8 were scored alone by Dhyan Chand. In the event, Dhyan Chand scored 12 goals for India in 2 matches.

In the Berlin Olympics 1932, Indian had successfully made their path to the finals crushing Hungary by 4-0, USA by 7-0 and Japan 9-0 without conceding a single goal in the tournament. The team defeated France in the Semi-Finals by 10 goals, and was going to combat Germany in the Finals. In the Final match, the Indian squad could score only 1 goal till the interval. Dhyan Chand removed his shoes in the interval and played the match barefooted onwards. The Indian team won the match and the Gold medal by 8-1.

Adolf Hitler, the German dictator supposedly offered Dhyan Chand a higher post in the German Army than the one he was holding in the Indian Army, but he politely denied the offer.

He kept playing till the age of 42 years, and retired from the game in the year 1948. Dhyan Chand met Don Bradman, the Cricket Maestro at Adelaide in the year 1935. After watching him play Hockey, Bradman commented “He scores goals like runs in Cricket.”

Last Moments:

The last days of Dhyan Chand were not very happy, as he was short of money and was badly ignored by the nation. He developed liver cancer, and was sent to a general ward at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He died on the 3rd of December 1979.

Awards & Achievements:

For his extraordinary services to the nation, the Government of India celebrates Dhyan Chand’s birthday (29th of August) as National Sports Day. The Indian Postal Service issued a postage stamp in his memory, and the Dhyan Chand National Stadium at New Delhi has been named after him. He was honored by the Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India in the year 1956.

Major Dhyan Chand Achievements:

• Won 3 gold medals in Olympic games
• Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956
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Thursday, 29 August 2024

Agenda - The Sunday magazine

• Cover Story

State Editions

Historic moment witnessed as ashok kumar unveils statue of his father dhyan chand.

On the eve of National Sports Day, a historic emotional moment took place at the Mashal campus of Central Sports and Arts Council of MP Power Management Company today when son Olympian Ashok Kumar unveiled the statue of his father Major Dhyanchand and touched the feet of him. Ashok Kumar kept looking at his father's statue for a few moments. Hundreds of people witnessed this emotional moment.

These include Chief General Manager Human Resources and Administration of MP Power Management Company and General Secretary of Central Sports and Arts Council Rajeev Gupta, officials of Central Sports and Arts Council, school students, youth, women, present day people who love and admire hockey magician Major Dhyanchand. The players were accompanied by former hockey players, sports officials and administrators, electrical personnel and contemporaries of Olympian Ashok Kumar along with his fans. This is the first statue of Major Dhyanchand to be installed in Madhya Pradesh.

Jabalpur's special place in Dhyan Chand's life - Ashok Kumar, son of Olympian and Major Dhyan Chand, said with emotion that unveiling the statue of his father is an unprecedented moment in his life and he is feeling proud for it. Expressing gratitude to MP Power Management Company and Central Sports and Arts Council for installing the statue of the hockey magician, Ashok Kumar said that Jabalpur has a special place in the life of Major Dhyanchand. Some of Major Dhyanchand's childhood was spent in Jabalpur, here his younger brother Roop Singh was born and in the forties his sister got married in the Chauhan family. Discussing his deep connection with Jabalpur, Ashok Kumar said that Jabalpur has a special place in his heart.

Dhyan Chand made hockey a traditional game - Ashok Kumar said that Major Dhyan Chand is important in Indian sports history because he established hockey as the country's game. India has got the maximum number of medals in the Olympics due to its excellent performance in hockey. Major Dhyan Chand gave hockey the status of traditional game of the country.

Appreciation of Central Sports and Arts Council - Olympian Ashok Kumar praised the initiative of MP Power Management Company's Central Sports and Arts Council to install the statue of Major Dhyanchand and said that the Council is playing an important role in the development of sports in Jabalpur. He appreciated the summer sports camps organized by the Council every year.

Power companies became proud by installing the statue - Chief General Manager Human Resources and Administration of MP Power Management Company and General Secretary of Central Sports and Arts Council, Rajeev Gupta said in his address that the power companies are feeling proud by installing the statue of Major Dhyanchand. . He said that Dhyan Chand and his son Ashok Kumar have made an unmatched and unforgettable contribution to Indian hockey. 

Artist Manish Koshta made the statue - The statue of Major Dhyanchand has been made by Manish Koshta, Director of Government Fine Arts Niketan College. The height of the statue is three feet and weight is about two and a half to three quintals. While creating the statue, artist Dr. Manish Koshta has taken full care of the hockey magician's game, his personality and dignity. Ashok Kumar's contemporary Arun Yadav Laddu, Arjun Awardee Madhu Yadav, Madhya Pradesh General Secretary of Hockey India Lok Bahadur, Vikram Singh Chauhan were present at the statue unveiling ceremony. Sunil Yadav conducted the program and expressed gratitude.

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Dhyan CHAND

A legend of Indian hockey, Dhyan Chand is considered to be one of the best players to have ever played the sport.

Star of the Indian hockey team that dominated the sport in the years before World War II, the prolific Dhyan Chand played a key role in India’s three consecutive gold hauls at the Olympic Games - in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

Such was Dhyan Chand’s mastery of the game and so dazzling was his ball control that he earned the epithets 'Hockey Wizard' and 'The Magician'.

Dhyan Chand started playing hockey seriously during his stint with the British Indian Army and between 1922 and 1926, he competed in numerous army hockey tournaments and regimental games.

Born Dhyan Singh in Allahabad, he was called ‘Chand’ - moon in Hindi - by his peers because he would often practice at night under the moonlight after his duty hours.

He had impressed observers of the game during his days in the army and when the newly-formed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) decided to send a team for the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, Dhyan Chand was called for the trials.

He made it to the Olympic team and hit the ground running. Dhyan Chand scored 14 goals in five matches to become the top-scorer of the tournament, nine more than the next best, with the Indian hockey team emerging undefeated to win the gold medal.

No trials were needed for Dhyan Chand when the Indian team for the 1932 Olympics was selected and this time the squad included his brother Roop Singh as well.

At the Los Angeles Games, the Indian field hockey player scored 12 goals in only two games and was outdone only by his brother, who had 13 to his name.

In that edition, the Indian hockey team scored 24 goals in a match - a record that stood firmly for seven decades - against the USA, 10 off Roop Singh’s stick and eight from Dhyan Chand.

In the subsequent 1936 Olympic Games, Dhyan Chand headed to Berlin as captain of the Indian hockey team.

Inspired by their skipper, India dominated again as they remained undefeated to claim the gold medal, upstaging hosts Germany 8-1 in the final.

Dhyan Chand led from the front in the summit clash with three goals of his own even though he broke a tooth after the opposition resorted to rough tactics to contain him. He also reportedly played barefoot in the second half of the match to up his pace on the field.

He ended the Berlin Games with a total of 11 goals in five matches. In all, he scored 37 goals in 12 matches at the Games across three editions and three Olympic gold medals.

With World War II breaking out soon after, Dhyan Chand was in his forties by the time an independent Indian hockey team participated in the next Olympic Games in 1948. This time, he wasn’t a part of the squad.

Dhyan Chand retired from the Indian Army as a lieutenant in August 1956, after 34 years of service, and was consequently honoured with the Padma Bhushan award, India's third-highest civilian honour.

While the Gazette of India recognises Dhyan Chand as a lieutenant when he retired, he is generally stated as ‘Wizard Major’ Dhyan Chand in India. His birthday, August 29, is also celebrated as National Sports Day in India.

"Dhyan Chand has the same aura attached to hockey, like Donald Bradman has in cricket," former Olympian Gurbux Singh told Rediff.com .

Dhyan Chand passed away on December 3, 1979. succumbing to liver cancer but will always be remembered as one of the greatest hockey players.

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