Shahi Polo Ground Skardu and Khaplu Interesting Facts

Shahi Polo Ground in Skardu and Khaplu Ghanche are two memories of the Yabgo Dynasty and the Maqpon Dynasty. Both Polo Grounds were made to play Polo matches which were the favorite sports of the King of Khaplu and Skardu.

Polo is a famous sport in the region for centuries because “Polo is known as Game of KINGS“. Polo is still played in the entire region of Gilgit Baltistan. We will discuss it later in this article. According to history, Ali Sher Khan Anchan was the first person who played and introduced Free Style Polo.

If we go back years ago we came to know that both the Skardu and Khaplu valley was ruled by Yabgo and Maqpon Dynasty, who were very powerful and had a strong influence in the region. Both Skardu and Khaplu made several different historical places, and the Shahi Polo Grounds are a few of them.

Khaplu Raja Palace (Currently Serena Hotel Khaplu) and Kharpocho Fort Skardu are two examples of engineering of that time. With only wood and stones how they made such strong and beautiful buildings thousands of years ago.

We have already written a detailed article about both Khaplu Fort and Kharpocho Fort in which we discussed everything in detail. So, you can just read them for more information about them. But in this article, we will stick and discuss only the Shahi Polo Ground of Khaplu and Skardu Baltistan.

If you visit the Baltistan region you can see Polo grounds in many areas of the region. Especially such areas where there was a ruler

History Of Shahi Polo Ground Skardu

Shahi Polo Ground Skardu was made by the famous Maqpon Ruler xx to play Polo. We don’t have the exact date for the development of the ground.

Polo In Shahi Polo Ground

If you want to see a Polo match, you can enjoy it here anytime. Because there are still people who play Polo matches. In fact, the Raja of Skardu still has a Polo team and tournaments are also held where teams from all over Gilgit Baltistan participate and Thousands of Polo lovers enjoy the matches.

If you want to enjoy the Polo tournament in Skardu, you have to visit on special occasions like the 14th of August, the 1st of November, etc. On such days the Government of Gilgit Baltistan arranges Polo and other sports festivals.

But if you want to enjoy normal polo matches you can visit the ground anytime.

Shahi Polo Ground Skardu Length and Width

We don’t know the exact length of the Shahi Polo Ground, but the polo ground is indeed very long. The width is not important for polo matches, just like football.

Polo matches are played with horses, and they need an open and large space.

In the entire region of Gilgit Baltistan, they played “Free Style Polo” which is quite different from the polo matches played around the world.

Polo Ground Skardu Location

Shahi Polo Ground is located near the SCO Office in the main Bazar Skardu Baltistan. The ground is also near the Raja Fort of Skardu Baltistan.

If you notice one thing all the polo grounds in the region are near the forts because of many reasons:

• Near Raja’s House: It doesn’t matter how far your home is from the polo ground, but it does matter how far the royal palace is from the ground. In the old days, they had to make sure that the ground was near the palace of the king. So, the king didn’t face any issues in traveling to the ground.
• For The Royal Family Members: In the old times the royal family members especially, females also must watch the polo match. So, the ground and the palace were designed in such a way that they could easily enjoy the match from the top roof of the palaces. You can observe the same design in Raja Fort Khaplu.
• Royal Family Protocol: Just like today, politicians have the protocol, they have the nearest house and flats to the national assemblies in every country.

Shahi Polo Ground Khaplu Ghanche

Shahi Polo Ground Khaplu is located in Khaplu Nasir Abad Dinis (The local Name of the Village where Shahi Polo Ground is located). A 3-hour drive from Skardu City.

Khaplu Shahi Polo Ground is famous for its length. This is the longest Polo Ground in the entire region of Gilgit Baltistan. Teams from all GB (Gilgit Baltistan) are invited to play polo tournaments in Khaplu.

History of Shai Polo Ground Khaplu Ghanche

This Polo Ground is made during the Yabgo Dynasty of Khaplu. Yabgo was the royal family of the district Ghanche and ruled for more than 2,000 years.

During their time they built many historical buildings including the polo ground. We can still observe many of them. The Khaplu Fort is another proof of the Yabgo Dynasty infrastructure we still have.

Length Of Shahi Polo Ground Khaplu

The exact length of this ground is still a mystery. But it is a known fact that this ground is the longest polo ground in the entire region.