Tent pegging, a sport of cavaliers, has roots that reach back many centuries. While the exact origins of the sport may not be well known, it is believed to have begun in 326 BC in Afghanistan. In tent pegging, a horseman rides from the speed of a gallop using a lance or sword to piece into a ground target that looks like a tent peg. In fact, it symbolises a tent peg, and you might have a congregated group of targets.

Two Theories on the History of Tent Pegging

Theory One

When we first look at the birth of tent pegging, you have two different theories. The first is that in Indo-Pak Sub Continent, tent pegging was considered training for the cavalry. The training involved stabbing the most sensitive part of the war elephant’s foot—behind the toenail. Such an act might cause the enemy war elephants to charge back into the ranks of infantry and crush them.

Theory Two

The second theory relates to how cavalry first used tent pegging as a way to lead surprise dawn attacks against enemy encampments. They’d pull the tent pegs of the enemy and cause the tents to collapse—mayhem would ensue and the offensive cavalry would doubtlessly have a crushing advantage.

The History of Tent Pegging in Pakistan

After the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, tent pegging lost some popularity. While the cities of Pakistan like Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Sukkur saw a rise of popularity in squash and cricket, luckily, the rural regions of Pakistan kept tent pegging alive. They provided the funding and raised the horses. In addition, they maintained the play-fields, and the tent peggers attended to participate.

Tent pegging has long been the most popular equestrian events found every year in Punjab and North Pakistan. The National Horse and Cattle Show is a mega event, and it covers every type of sport and cultural activity you can find. Unfortunately, this show was discontinued, and we saw a loss of patronage with tent pegging. Luckily, the cattle selling markets of the Mela Mandis in the Punjab province saw the revival of this sport. At these events, we saw valor and competitive edge of tent pegging in one place where players from across Pakistan have participated.

Enthusiasts of the sport of tent pegging come from across Pakistan, and they wear their traditional uniforms. For those who have never seen this, it’s worth the sight. You could see participants practicing their skills, and only a few succeeded with uprooting the tent pegs from the ground. This goes to show the level of skill and dedication required. It can be hours of fun even watching the horsemen trying to uproot the tent pegs.

How Tent Pegging Festivals Work in Pakistan

First, farmers prepare for a harvest. For example, Lahore will start the Jashn-e-Baharan. This is also called the festival of flowers and fragrance. You see celebration at its finest during this time. The urban dwellers will rejoice in the festivals, the bazaars and the streets and a good vibe can be felt throughout. You will see posters everywhere talking about the schedules and the traditional sports competitions in Pakistan. In this sport, tent peggers will warm up before bringing their horses to the competition.

In Pakistan, the art of tent pegging has always been weaved deep into the fabric of cultural celebration. In fact, since Alexander the Great, tent pegging has been known as a war technique. This was long before we saw the rise of modern weaponry with firearms, warplanes, and tanks. In the modern day, tent pegging flourishes as more of a major equestrian sport. After the independence of Pakistan, tent pegging soon grew as one of the top-ranked sports and cultural activities where horse lovers could all meet and compete against each other.

When you compare tent pegging to some of the more urban games of Pakistan, they lack the same grace that you might find with tent pegging. One of the best ways that you can judge a horse comes down to the field. This is where both the rider and the horse must pass through a trial by fire so to speak.

The tent pegging players of Pakistan have developed somewhat of a reputation for their skill in the game. In fact, they now participate in some of the international competitions where many of them have left an undeniable impression because they have won many gold medals. To give an idea about the talent from Pakistan, Rohan Hussain Subhani, a professional tent pegger and polo artist, won over six gold medals, two silvers and a bronze medal in the tri-nation tent pegging tournament in Australia. Another one of the great things about tent pegging is how, in the modern day, it’s a gentleman’s sport where you see both class and sophistication. The game has slowly changed over time into a beautiful equestrian expression.