Dukhiram Majumder

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Template:Infobox football biography

Dukhiram Majumder (born Oomesh Chandra Majumder[1] (Template:Langx); also Mazumdar; 1875 – 16 June 1929) was an Indian footballer, football manager, scout and club official, who is regarded as the first football coach in the country. He first understood the importance of Indian players wearing boots.[2] During his coaching days, Majumder managed Calcutta Football League side Aryans Club, alongside nurturing talents like Gostha Pal,[3] Shibdas Bhaduri,[4] Syed Abdus Samad, Karuna Bhattacharya, and Balaidas Chatterjee.[5][6]

Early life and playing career

Dukhiram Majumder was born in a Bengali middle class family in Bosepara, Bagbazar, North Calcutta, in 1875.[7] During the age of associations in Bengal, he became involved in football organizations and started playing.

A well-known centre-half during his time, he played barefoot against British army teams.[8][9] He later went on to play for Wellington Club, which was formed as merger of three native clubs: Boys Club, Friends Club, and Presidency Club — all founded by Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari.[10][11]

Foundation of Aryan

Majumder was one of the pupils (other being Kalicharan Mitra,[12] Manmatha Ganguly and Haridas Seal) in the 1880s, who took football as part of life following Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari, the "father of Indian football".[13][14][15][16] As a youth, he formed Luner Club in Shyampukur. Majumder later founded a sporting organization named "Students Union" with his friends within Kirti Mitter's (also Mitra) marble palace named Mohun Bagan Villa.[17][18] That organization broke up due to disagreements over wearing boots and Majumder left Mohun Bagan Villa and went on to form Aryans Club in Maharaja Durga Charan Laha's Telipara field in Shyampukur.[19][20] Some of those who were against Majumder's Students Union, also left Mohun Bagan Villa and established Bagbazar Club. Those who were outside these two sides, continued to play without boots until the foundation of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club by Bengali aristocratic families of North Calcutta presided over by Bhupendra Nath Bose.[21]

Aryans Club, now known as Aryan FC, began its journey as a multi-sports club in 1884, became one of the oldest football clubs in the country.[22] They soon gained elite status and fought against British teams consecutively.[23][24][25][26]

Coaching career

Scouting and coaching

Template:Cquote Majumdar was the father figure of Indian football during the pre-independence era. He made huge impact in the history of the sport in the country by bringing up India's earliest known legends. Among his students, India national football team's first captain Gostha Pal is the iconic name.[27][28][29] Known for scouting players from various parts of Bengal,[30] he gave formal training to "football jadukar" Syed Abdus Samad from Purnia,[31][32] two brothers Shibdas and Bijoydas Bhaduri from Shyambazar,[33] Surya Chakraborty from Jalpaiguri, Habla Bhattacharya (Karuna Bhattacharya) from Behrampore.[34] He emphasized the physical toughness of players and team cohesion. Majumder guided and had taken care of his players in every way. To protect Samad from the fierce communal situation of the time, he arranged for him to stay in a Hindu family, naming him 'Santosh'.[19] He also used to cycle daily a distance of about 15 kilometers to deliver purified drinking water to the home of a tuberculosis-affected player. Mohun Bagan was one of the clubs that kept an eye on his scouting.[19] Some forgotten gems of Indian football, goalkeeper Purnadas, Haran Saha, Fakir Seal, Kshirprasad, all were scouted and trained by Majumder.[34]

Majumder wrote a book named Hints to the Young Footballer, published in 1916, to properly guide and make the Indian youth enthusiastic about the sport.[7] He is also known for coaching some of India's best cricket talents during his time, including the "grand old man of Indian cricket" Kamal Bhattacharya.[35][36]

In charge of Aryan

Majumder became team coach of Aryan in the late 1890s. With limited resources and facilities, the club became prominent in fighting against then European sides Dalhousie, Calcutta FC and other British regimental teams.[19] He started Aryan's famous policy of bringing up unknown talented footballers, who subsequently established themselves in Calcutta maidan. When the Indian Football Association (IFA) permitted only two native clubs to join CFL Second Division in 1914,[37] Majumder guided Aryan in the season, and they were promoted to the top division two years later.[38][39] He helped the team achieving fourth place in 1920–21 season of Calcutta Football League. Aryan with players like Balaidas Chatterjee,[40][41] later broke into the semi-finals of historic Rovers Cup in 1928.

He formed a coaching centre within the club which became the foremost pillar of Aryan. After the passing away of Majumder in 1929, the club followed the path shown by him, and his nephew Chone Majumder (who also became Aryan coach) succeeded him to run the centre.[35] The club later in 1940, went on to clinch IFA Shield title defeating Mohun Bagan 4–1, their first major title.[42]

Legacy

After the death of Majumder, his nephew Santosh Kumar "Chone" Majumder took over the responsibility of coaching in Aryans Club.[43] The 'Majumdar Trophy', named after him, was once awarded to the winning district in the inter-district football competition in West Bengal.[19]

A statue of Majumder was unveiled at the club tent of Aryan in Kolkata.[31] Notable coach Achyut Banerjee began the "Dukhiram Football Coaching Scheme" in memory of him, which was incorporated in 1976 at the Mohun Bagan Ground before shifting to Aryan.[31][44]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ When Swami Vivekananda claimed seven wickets and other Eden Gardens tales. newindianexpress.com. The New Indian Express(4 May 2019). Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Indian football: The tale of the unbeatable Mohammedan Sporting side of 1930s, Banerjee, Ritabrata. Goal.com(30 March 2020). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  3. ↑ প্রাচীরের নাম গোষ্ঠ পাল, Chakraborty, Rana. ekhonkhobor.com. Ekhon Khobor Bangla(20 August 2019). Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  4. ↑ ইংরেজের বিপক্ষে বাঙালি ফুটবল দলের প্রথম বিজয়. samakal.com. সমকাল বাংলা(29 July 2022). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  5. ↑ শিবদাস ভাদুড়ী, গোষ্ঠ পাল সকলেই তাঁর ছাত্র, বাঙালি মনে রাখেনি বাংলার ফুটবলের প্রথম কোচ দুখীরাম মজুমদারকে. banglaamarpran567383012.wpcomstaging.com. Bangla Amar Pran – The glorious hub for the Bengal(4 December 2020). Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Tactical Evolution Of Indian Football (Part One): Profiling Three Great 2–3–5 Teams, Sengupta, Somnath. thehardtackle.com. The Hard Tackle(29 July 2011). Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 গ্রন্থ-সমালোচনা: ইস্টবেঙ্গল প্রথম একশো বছর, সংবাদ-সাময়িকপত্রে উনিশ শতকের বাঙালি মুসলমান সমাজ, বাঙালি অনতিঅতীতচারণ, স্যর দুখীরাম, Bhattacharya, Bhababhuti. www.parabaas.com. Parabaas(27 January 2021). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  8. ↑ ভাইপোকে পোস্টে বেঁধে লাথি মেরে ছিলেন স্যার দুখিরাম মজুমদার…, Webdesk, Xtratime Bangla. xtratimebangla.in. Xtratime Bangla(21 April 2020). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  9. ↑ A 19th century visionary: The legend behind one of India's first football scouts, Mitra, Atanu. scroll.in. Scroll(9 October 2017). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  10. ↑ বাঙালির ফুটবল প্রেমকে উস্কে দিয়ে, Chatterjee, Swati. radiobanglanet.com. Radio Bangla Net(10 October 2021). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  11. ↑ বাংলা ভাগের ক্ষত কিভাবে বিষিয়ে দিল মোহনবাগান আর ইস্টবেঙ্গলকে?. inscript.me. ইনস্ক্রিপ্ট বাংলা নিউজ(10 September 2023). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  12. ↑ IFAWB: Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari. ifawb.org. Indian Football Association. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  13. ↑ মোহনবাগান এবং ভারতীয় ফুটবলের শুরুর কথা, Basu, Goutamranjan. meghbangla.com. Megh Bangla Internet Magazine(29 July 2020). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  14. ↑ Nagendra Prasad — The father of Indian football who removed prejudice from the sport, Waris, Sarah. thebridge.in. The Bridge(25 January 2020). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  15. ↑ 'Golondaaj' Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari: the father of Indian football. Olympics.com(1 November 2021). Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  16. ↑ নগেন্দ্র প্রসাদ সর্বাধিকারীর জীবনের জানা-অজানা কাহিনী লেন্সবন্দি. eisamay.com. এই সময়. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  17. ↑ The Beginning – 1889 to 1909. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  18. ↑ MOHUN BAGAN VILLA – GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. Breathing Roots(10 July 2021). Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 বাংলার ফুটবলে প্রথম 'স্কাউট': ফুটবলার গড়ার কারিগর দুখীরাম মজুমদার, Ghoshal, Mrinalini. www.sillypoint.co.in. Silly Point(24 August 2022). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  20. ↑ History Of Mohun Bagan (Part 1): The Success That Changed Indian Football. The Hard Tackle(2 May 2010). Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  21. ↑ The first "Home Ground" of the Club on the spacious ground of Mohun Bagan Villa. themohunbaganac.com. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  22. ↑ Aryan Club — Rising From the Ashes, Sengupta, Somnath. thehardtackle.com. The Hard Tackle(16 December 2010). Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  23. ↑ FOOTBALL IN BENGAL. www.ifawb.com. The Indian Football Association (West Bengal). Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  24. ↑ Goalless: The Story of a Unique Footballing Nation{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Penguin India(1 February 2006). ISBN 9780670058747
  25. ↑ History of Football in India, Wadwha, Arjun. thesportscampus.com. TheSportsCampus(19 May 2008). Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  26. ↑ An Eventful Journey Through Red & Gold Trails – The East Bengal Story (Part 1). thehardtackle.com. The Hard Tackle(2 August 2010). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  27. ↑ The Golden Years of Indian Football, Majumdar, Rounak. www.chaseyoursport.com. Chase Your Sport(22 April 2019). Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  28. ↑ Indian Legendary Football Players Profile: GOSTHO PAL — THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA — GREAT ICON OF KOLKATA FOOTBALL. www.kolkatafootball.com. Kolkata Football(14 September 2008). Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  29. ↑ 'জেল না-খাটা স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামী' গোষ্ঠ পাল; ব্রিটিশদের অন্যায়ের প্রতিবাদে ছেড়েছিলেন ফুটবলও, Gupta, Arpan. prohor.in. Prohor Bengali(29 July 2021). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  30. ↑ ফুটবলার তুলে আনতে জেলামুখী জর্জ টেলিগ্রাফ স্পোর্টস ক্লাব. insidesports.in. Inside Sports Bengali(18 July 2021). Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Legends Of Indian Football: The Pioneers, Sengupta, Somnath. thehardtackle.com. The Hard Tackle(24 April 2012). Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  32. ↑ The Unsung Hero – The story of a forgotten football star of our own. The Daily Star(18 July 2014). Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  33. ↑ বিপ্র-কুটিরের 'পঞ্চম পাণ্ডব' শিবদাস, Saha, Nirmal Kumar. thecalcuttamirror.com. The Calcutta Mirror(29 July 2020). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Majumder 1
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 ময়দানের তৃতীয় নয়ন. prohor.in. Prohor News(22 May 2022). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  36. ↑ Kamal Bhattacharya. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  37. ↑ Calcutta Football League: East Bengal kings of Asia's oldest league competition — full winners list. olympics.com(19 April 2023). Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  38. ↑ How Asia's oldest football league made its mark, Mitra, Atanu. www.redbull.com. RedBull(8 November 2017). Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  39. ↑ Kingfisher East Bengal FC | Legacy-History. eastbengalfootballclub.com(2012-08-18). Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  40. ↑ Balaidas Chatterjee posthumously awarded Mohun Bagan Ratna. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India(29 July 2013). Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  41. ↑ Mohun Bagan Ratna — Late Balaidas Chatterjee to receive the award posthumously. www.mohunbaganac.com. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club(26 July 2013). Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  42. ↑ ইংরেজরাও ভয় পেত বাংলার প্রথম কিংবদন্তি ফুটবল কোচকে, Guha, Chandak. bongodorshon.com. Bongodorshon Information Desk(5 September 2019). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  43. ↑ মেটিয়াবুরুজের এই ফুটবলারই প্রথম ভারতীয় যিনি বিদেশী ক্লাবের হয়ে খেলেছিলেন, প্রাপ্য সম্মান পাননি সেলিম, Mondal, Avik. banglaamarpran.in(21 November 2020). Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  44. ↑ ছেলের হ্যাটট্রিক এখনও স্বপ্ন মনে হচ্ছে কিয়ানের মায়ের, Dutta, Partha. eisamay.com. Ei Samay(31 January 2022). Retrieved 21 August 2022.

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