Introduction

This article traces the rise and the development of the metaphor of the ball and polo-stick, and related images, in Persian poetry from the tenth to the beginning of the sixteenth centuries CE. This “classical” period of Persian poetry has usually been divided into three phases. Although these phases use geographical nomenclature, namely Khurāsān, ‘Irāq and Hind, accentuating the central region of literary activity in the period, these three phases are essentially based on stylistic standards, and not necessarily limited to these regions. Several characteristics of the first period (from the ninth century to the second half of the twelfth century) can be highlighted by the plain and harmonious poetical style, a harmonious use of images and metaphors and a limited use of Arabic words. The second phase, which is called sabk-i ‘Irāqī (‘the style of ‘Irāq’), starts in the middle of the twelfth century and lasts until the sixteenth century. The salient features of this particular style are the increasing use of Arabic words and expressions, and the tendency to employ complicated imagery and metaphor; it was also the period in which mystical poetry appeared, adding a symbolic dimension to Persian language. The third period, starting from the beginning of the sixteenth century and lasting until the eighteenth century, is named sabk-i Hindi (‘the Indian style’) and is typified by what Alessandro Bausani describes as: “deviations from the rule of harmonious use of imagery, leading to a ‘baroque’ extension of the stock images and metaphors allowed in poetry, the predominance of mystical-philosophical themes, and an extreme tendency towards allegory.

Persian is usually considered an eminently symbolic language and this short study is an attempt to show how polo images were first created and how they were elaborated upon in later centuries, sometimes attaining epic proportions. Before turning to our analysis, it may be helpful to give a short background of the game of polo in Persia.

Persia has traditionally been considered the cradle of polo, from which the game spread to the other countries of the East, and later to Europe. From the pre-Islamic period until the eighteenth century, polo had been played at Persian royal courts, and Persian kings either participated in this game or watched courtiers play the game.