R. K. S. Kalaan

Colonel Rajinder Kumar Singh "Raj" Kalaan (1940–2019) was an officer of the Indian Army and an Indian polo player. He served in and later commanded the 61st Cavalry, the Army’s horse-mounted cavalry regiment. He represented India in polo for nearly two decades, was a senior figure in elephant polo in Nepal, and is credited with helping revive polo in Mongolia in 1996.

Early life and education

Kalaan was born in 1940. He studied at Lawrence School, Sanawar, known for its equestrian traditions. He was later commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army, serving his entire career in the cavalry arm.

Military career

Kalaan was posted to the 61st Cavalry, India’s mounted cavalry regiment. The unit combined ceremonial duties with development of Army equestrian sports, especially polo.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the cavalry’s polo season coincided with wartime blackouts. Kalaan later recalled that when officers suggested cancelling the season, Army Chief Sam Manekshaw told them: *“You’re doing your duty by playing polo.”* Matches continued in the daytime, with officers returning to blackouts at night.

Kalaan rose through the ranks and eventually commanded the 61st Cavalry as its Commandant. His role was less combat-focused and more oriented toward preserving equestrian traditions in the Army. Obituaries note that in this period “their duty was not to fight battles but to play the sport.”

Polo career

Kalaan played with the Indian national polo team for nearly twenty years. He was regarded as one of the Army’s leading players, competing domestically and abroad.

He held a high handicap during his prime (in the +4 to +5 range). He represented India in tournaments and captained sides in test matches.

Kalaan’s family became a polo dynasty. His sons, Uday Kalaan and Angad Kalaan, both became professional players with +5 handicaps; at one stage both played for the Indian national team simultaneously. Angad has said he “inherited the talent from his father Col RKS Kalan (retd)” and that his father was also his coach.

Elephant polo

Kalaan was a key figure in the World Elephant Polo Championships held annually in Chitwan, Nepal. He played, officiated, and later mentored from the sidelines.

Participants recall him as a stickler for rules and animal safety, known for emphasising regulations before matches. Colleagues described him as a “gentleman sportsman, trainer, friend and mentor.”

Revival of polo in Mongolia

In 1996, Kalaan and Jim Edwards were instrumental in reintroducing polo to Mongolia. They organised training in the Orkhon Valley, where Kalaan coached Mongolian herders in the sport. He returned to Mongolia annually thereafter and became known as an ambassador of polo there.

Later life and death

Kalaan retired from the Army with the rank of Colonel. He continued to mentor younger polo players and travelled frequently to tournaments in India and abroad.

He died on 4 March 2019 at the age of 79. Tributes described him as “the epitome of polo.”

Legacy

• Remembered as a long-serving captain of Indian polo sides and as a mentor to younger players.
• Played a central role in elephant polo in Nepal.
• Helped reintroduce polo to Mongolia in 1996.
• His family (sons Uday and Angad) continue to represent India in polo.

See also

• 61st Cavalry (India)
• Polo in India
• Elephant polo