Dhyan Chand was born on 28 August 1905 in a Rajput family of Prayag in Uttar Pradesh. After his birth, his family moved to Jhansi, where Dhyan Chand spent his childhood and most of the later years of his life. After his early education, he joined the Indian Army as a soldier at the age of 16. The seeds of artistry in hockey were planted and nurtured in him by Subedar Major Tiwari of his regiment. An Indian team participated in the Hockey Tournament for the first time in the VIII Olympiad held at Amstardom in 1928. India won the championship by 3-0. Out of the three goals, two were scored by Dhyan Chand.

In 1932 Olympics at Los Angeles, Indian team under the captainship of Lal Shah Bukhari again won the championship. India defeated America by 24-1 and thus set a world record. Nine out of 24 goals were scored by Dhyan Chand and ten by his younger brother, Roop Singh. In the X Olympiad held at Berlin in 1936, Dhyan Chand captained the Indian team. India defeated Germany by 4-1. Dhyan Chand exhibited such a wizardy with his hockey stick that speculation was rife that a magnet was embedded in his hockey stick to attract the ball. His hockey stick was ordered to be changed but his play continued to hold the spectators and his opponents spellbound.

The Second World War intervened and the subsequent Olympiads were not held. Dhyan Chand thereafter retired from active hockey but his passion for the game remained undimmed. He guided and coached a large number of hockey players. His son, Ashok Kumar, inder his inspired coaching added luster to Indian Hockey by representing India in international tourneys. Dhyan Chand retired from the Army in 1956 with a rank of Major. The President of India conferrd on him the award of PadmaBhushan in recognition of his outstanding services to the cause of Indian hockey. He passed away on 3rd December 1979.

Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a commemorative stamp in his honour. (The above text is based on material published elsewhere and/or supplied by the sponsors.)

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India