Who Is Dhyan Chand? Age, Biography and Wiki
Dhyan Chand, born on August 29, 1905, is celebrated as one of the greatest field hockey players in history. With an illustrious career spanning over a decade, he played a crucial role in establishing India as a powerhouse in the sport. He passed away on December 3, 1979, but his legacy continues to inspire athletes around the world. As of 2025, had he been alive, he would have been 120 years old. His Wikipedia page provides an extensive overview of his achievements, including three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, 1936) and his significant influence on the development of the sport in India.
| Occupation | Field Hockey Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1905 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Allahabad, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India (present-day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India) |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 3 December, 1979 |
| Died Place | All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India |
Popularity
Dhyan Chand's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During his playing days, Dhyan Chand was known for his athletic build and exceptional skills. While exact measurements from his time are unavailable, he stood approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed around 65 kg. His agility and speed on the field contributed to his success as a forward and playmaker, making him a formidable opponent.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Dhyan Chand was married to Gladys Chand and together they had two sons, Ashok and Himanshu. The couple shared a deep bond rooted in mutual respect and support, especially during Dhyan Chand's quest for excellence in hockey. While there is no public record of any relationships outside of his marriage, Dhyan Chand's focus remained primarily on his family and career.
Chand's father was enlisted in the British Indian Army, where he played hockey for the army. He had two brothers – Mool Singh and Roop Singh, the latter was also a hockey player.
Because of his father's numerous army transfers, the family had to move to different cities, and as such Chand had to terminate his education after only six years of schooling. The family finally settled in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Dhyan Chand's net worth was not extensively documented, but it is believed that he had a modest income derived from his sports career. In 2025, as a legendary figure, his net worth would have significantly increased due to his legacy in sports, endorsements, and memorial honors. His contributions to hockey have ensured that he remains a celebrated figure, worthy of various tributes and recognitions, including awards and commemorative events.
After setting sail from New York, the team arrived in England. They then embarked on a hectic tour, playing nine matches in various countries in a fortnight, commencing on 2 September. They played four internationals against the Netherlands, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary.
The team then reached Sri Lanka and India, playing a number of matches to pay for their expenses. At the end of the tour, India had played 37 matches, winning 34, drawing two, with one abandoned. Chand scored 133 of the 338 Indian goals.
Career, Business and Investments
Dhyan Chand began his career in hockey at a young age, quickly rising through the ranks to represent India at international competitions. His remarkable skills earned him the nickname "Hockey Wizard." Following his retirement from active sports, he served in various administrative roles and also contributed to sports development in India. While he may not have engaged in business ventures as other athletes do today, his focus was primarily on nurturing the next generation of hockey talent.
Known as The Wizard or The Magician of hockey for his superb ball control, Chand played internationally from 1926 to 1949, where he scored 570 goals in 185 matches according to his autobiography, Goal, and over 1,000 goals in his entire domestic and international career. BBC called him the "hockey's equivalent of Muhammad Ali".
The Government of India awarded Chand India's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan in 1956. His birthday, 29 August, is celebrated as National Sports Day in India every year. India's highest sporting honour, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is named after him.
Social Network
Though Dhyan Chand did not have the benefit of modern social media during his lifetime, his legacy continues to thrive in the digital age. In 2025, various online platforms and communities honor his memory by celebrating his contributions to hockey. Social media pages dedicated to Dhyan Chand have garnered thousands of followers, sharing stories, images, and memorabilia that keep his spirit alive among fans and aspiring athletes alike.
Buoyed by the success of the tournament, it was decided that it would be held every two years. After two more trial matches between various hopefuls, the Olympic team (including Chand as center-forward) was announced and assembled in Bombay. Center-half Broome Eric Pinniger was selected as the vice-captain.
The IHF was initially low on funds since the provinces of Bombay, Madras, and Burma had turned a deaf ear to their financial appeal, but they managed to scrape enough money. The Olympic team then played a match against the Bombay XI, and amazingly lost 3–2, even though Singh scored both his team's goals.
With a quiet send-off, the team left for England on 10 March, to play 11 matches against local sides as well in the London Folkestone Festival in 1927, winning all. It was also said that Great Britain did not send a team in 1928 to the Amsterdam Olympics after their national team was defeated by the Indian team at Folkestone.
This is best cited in Kapur's book Romance of Hockey where a despatch of H.
Sutherland Stark, London representative of 'Sports', a magazine of Lahore, tells the story better than any other comment: "For reasons it is difficult to understand the English Hockey Association have taken up a very stiff attitude towards Indian Hockey in recent years and have repeatedly been twitted about it by even their own supporters.
The editor of a leading sports newspaper described them to me as an intensely conservative body, but there seems to be something more than conservative behind their unwillingness apparently ever to meet India in a full international encounter". Finally, on 24 April, the team arrived in Amsterdam to embark on a tour of the Low Countries.
In all the pre-Olympic matches against local Dutch, German and Belgian teams, the Indian team won by large margins.
Education
Dhyan Chand's education primarily revolved around sports; he was a diligent student with a passion for hockey. He played for his school team and later represented the Indian army in various tournaments, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career in field hockey. His commitment to his sport often took precedence over formal education, but he believed in the importance of discipline and hard work, attributes he instilled in his family and mentees.
On 29 August 1922 – his 17th birthday – Chand enlisted in the 1st Brahmans of the British Indian Army as a sepoy (private). A reorganisation of the army that year resulted in the 1st Brahmans becoming the 1/1st Punjab Regiment. Between 1922 and 1926, Chand exclusively played army hockey tournaments and regimental games.
Chand was ultimately selected for the Indian Army team which was to tour New Zealand. The team won 18 matches, drew two and lost only one, receiving praise from all spectators. Following this, in the two Test matches against the New Zealand squad, the team won the first and narrowly lost the second.
Returning to India, Chand was promoted to Lance Naik in 1927.
