Chovgan

Origins and royal history

The sport began in ancient Iran, with some historical accounts dating its beginnings between the fifth century BC and the first century AD. Under Parthian and Sasanian rulers, it became an essential part of education for the aristocracy. Emperor Shapur II learned the game at seven years of age. In the sixth century, matches even included noblewomen. The game later moved across Asia, reaching Tang dynasty China, the Byzantine Empire, and the courts of Egyptian sultans. Over time, it developed into modern polo after British officers observed a related version in nineteenth-century India.

Tradition in Iran

In Iran, where it is often called chogan, the pastime has a recorded history spanning more than two millennia. Originally designed to train elite cavalry troops and palace guards, it gradually grew into a royal sport. Epic poems such as Ferdowsi's Shahnameh celebrate famous matches between legendary heroes. In the seventeenth century, King Abbas I constructed Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan specifically to host these contests. Today, Iranian performances blend horsemanship with spoken storytelling and musical accompaniment, preserving the cultural ceremony alongside athletic skill.

The game in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan recognizes the equestrian game, known locally as chovqan, as an important national sport. Matches are played on local Karabakh horses on a grassy pitch with three-metre-wide goals. Two teams of six riders, four attackers and two defenders, compete over two halves lasting thirty minutes in total. Players strike a rubber or woven leather ball using sticks shaped like shepherd crooks, while traditional janghi folk music plays throughout. After a steep decline during the Soviet period, the game revived through yearly events such as the December President's Cup near Shaki.

How Chovgan is kept

Two squads of mounted riders take to the field on specially trained horses. In standard Azerbaijani play, each team fields six riders: four forwards pushing the attack and two defenders guarding their half. Using long wooden mallets reminiscent of herding crooks, players pass and strike a rubber or woven leather ball toward goals set at opposite ends of the field. Matches run for thirty minutes across two periods. Traditional folk music, such as the instrumental tune janghi, is performed during the contest to spur on riders and spectators.

When and where

Matches and exhibitions take place throughout the year. In Azerbaijan, a prominent national championship called the President's Cup has taken place each year in late December since 2006.

The tradition is practiced primarily in Iran and Azerbaijan, as well as in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In Azerbaijan, key tournaments are held at the equestrian centre in Dashyuz near Shaki.

What Chovgan means

Originally a method for conditioning cavalry riders and noble youth, chovgan came to embody martial readiness, elite prestige, and royal culture. Through centuries of poetry, miniature painting, and musical accompaniment, it evolved into an emblem of shared cultural identity and horsemanship across the region.

Questions people ask about Chovgan

See also

MehreganAn Iranian autumn festival honoring Mithra, friendship, and the harvestNowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnicsYaldā NightA solstice night of poetry, fruit and family, kept from Iran through Central Asia

Good reading and sources

• Chovgan on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.