5921921 Ambala Native Cavalry Polo, 1911 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (20th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Ambala Native Cavalry Polo, 1911. Photograph, India, 1911. Polo, a sport played on horseback with mallets, has been played in India since ancient times. The game originated around AD 33 in the state of Imphal, in north-east India. The British took up the sport with great enthusiasm during the 19th century. It was played by all Indian Army cavalry regiments as it helped develop soldierly qualities such as leadership, horsemanship, initiative, endurance, esprit de corps, teamwork and independence. From an album of 87 photographs associated with Lieutenant F R Teesdale, 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force), Lahore Cantonment, 1902-1914.); by National Army Museum ; out of copyright.