Published By: Sayan Guha

Kolkata Derby 2024: Reliving the Origin of East Bengal and a Century of Rivalry Ahead of the 400th Kolkata Derby

As Mohun Bagan and East Bengal gear up for the 400th Derby, we journey back to East Bengal’s bold beginnings, born from defiance and unity

The first Kolkata derby of the ISL 2024-25 season is not your average encounter. It's the 400th Kolkata Derby, a milestone that takes this already heated rivalry to new heights. On October 19, 2024, at 7:30 PM IST, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC will face off at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). As the footballing titans of Kolkata prepare to square off, it's appropriate to reflect on East Bengal's founding story—a club founded on revolt, perseverance, and a desire to represent the overlooked.

A new identity is born

East Bengal was founded in 1920 as more than just a football club; it was also a cultural statement. The club's adventure began after Jora Bagan, a well-established team at the time, dropped two prominent players from their Cooch Behar Cup lineup.

Sailesh Bose and Nasha Singh, both from the eastern part of Bengal, were kept out despite their incredible abilities. Suresh Chandra Chaudhari, Jora Bagan's vice-president, could not stand the unfair treatment of these players from his birthplace. Frustrated, he cut connections with the club and set out to build a side representing the eastern Bengal area.

A club for the people

East Bengal was established only a few days after the Cooch Behar Cup event on August 1, 1920. Suresh Chaudhari and a few key figures, such as Sailesh Bose and Nasha Singh, laid the groundwork for what would become one of India's most recognisable football clubs. In its early days, the Red and Gold Brigade demonstrated that they were not here just to exist but to compete. In the same month, East Bengal won the Hercules Cup, a local seven-a-side event, kicking off their season with a bang.

This was more than simply football; it was about standing up to marginalisation and representing a community. The club was founded on a philosophy of cohesion and tenacity, which still characterises them now.

The rise to glory

Despite their initial success, establishing themselves as a powerful force was difficult. East Bengal had to compete for a position in both the Indian Football Association (IFA) and the coveted Calcutta Football League. The Maharaja of Santosh, Manmatha Nath Roy Chaudhari, was instrumental in achieving the club's IFA affiliation. His impact was so significant that the Santosh Trophy, one of India's most prominent football competitions, was named in his memory.

A rare picture of Raja Manmatha Nath Roy Chaudhari // Picture Courtesy – East Bengal Club Records

By 1924, East Bengal had become joint champions of the second division. Still, promotion to the first tier remained out of reach. Only two Indian clubs could participate in the top tier: Mohun Bagan and Aryans, their most formidable rivals. However, patience paid off, and East Bengal was eventually promoted in 1925, laying the path for the club to develop itself as a real footballing superpower.

The first derby—and a new rivalry is born

In 1925, only a year after being promoted, East Bengal met Mohun Bagan in the first-ever Kolkata derby. It was a game that reshaped Indian football. A sellout audience of 50,000 saw East Bengal's 1-0 triumph against their opponents, sparking a passion that would grow more over time. The Kolkata Derby was formed, a rivalry that went beyond sports and symbolised regional pride and identity.

Building a legacy

By the 1940s, East Bengal had begun to assert its supremacy. They won their first Calcutta Football League championship in 1942 before winning the coveted IFA Shield for the first time in 1943. This win was followed by many successes, as the Red and Gold Brigade established themselves as one of India's most successful football clubs.

Legendary players such as Ahmed Khan, Bhaichung Bhutia, and PK Banerjee have engraved their names into East Bengal's rich history. PK Banerjee, in particular, became linked with the club, winning 30 titles as manager and leading the team to supremacy in the 1970s.