Kishan Lal Biography 
Kishan Lal was an Indian field hockey player who lived in the 20th century. He was a member of national team. He is best remembered as the captain of Indian hockey team in 1948, which gave the first Olympics gold medal to free India. Till then Indian team played as British India. Akshay Kumar starrer 2018 Bollywood film, Gold is based on the true events related to free India’s historic first gold medal win at Olympics in hockey event through based on a fictional script. In 1966, he was awarded with Padma Shri by president of India, for his priceless contributions towards Indian hockey. One of the greatest inside forwards in hockey, he is a true inspiration to younger generations.
Kishan Lal was born on 2 February 1917 in Mhow. Now his birthplace is known as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar, which belongs to Indore of Madhya Pradesh. During younger days he was attracted to polo. He started playing hockey at the age of 14. In 1933 at the age of 16 he represented Mhow Heroes and played at Indore. He played along with Dhyan Chand for Jhansi Heroes. He was spotted by M. N. Zutshi the Captain of Bhagwant Club, and he recommended Lal’s name to Maharaja Bir Singh Ju Dev of Tikamgarh State.
He was selected for the 1940 Olympic team. But following World War 1st and 2nd, Olympics was abandoned. In 1941 he started his professional career in Western Railway, and played a few matches as well. In 1947 he was chosen as the team captain of India at Olympics and his team registered a historic win. Interestingly India beat Great Britain in the finals of Olympics, with a score of 4-0. India fully dominated the finals, and it was India’s revenge to the colonial rule of British in India. Till then India played as British India, and has won many achievements too.
Published: January 30, 2019
Updated: January 30, 2019
