How India’s hockey team conquered the Olympic stage three times in a row, long before the nation itself was free
India was still under British rule when its hockey team began rewriting Olympic history. Between 1928 and 1936, the men in blue and white did what no one had imagined—winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals. They played with artistry, speed, and discipline. On the field, they were free, even if the nation wasn’t. These triumphs not only stunned the world but also instilled a sense of pride in millions of Indians during colonial times.
Hockey made its return to the Olympic programme in 1928 at Amsterdam. India arrived as debutants, uncertain but ambitious. By the time the Games ended, they had turned into champions. The team stormed through the group stages, beating Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland—without conceding a single goal. In the final, they defeated the Netherlands 3–0. At the centre of it all was Dhyan Chand, whose stick work mesmerised crowds. He scored 14 goals in five matches, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. India had scored 29 in total and let in none. The world had just discovered hockey’s “magician.”
The 1932 Games in Los Angeles had fewer teams due to the Great Depression. Only three nations competed: India, Japan, and the USA. Yet, India ensured the competition remained unforgettable. They beat Japan 11–1 and then ran riot against the hosts, defeating the United States 24–1. It remains one of the most lopsided victories in Olympic history. Roop Singh scored 10 goals, while Dhyan Chand added eight. The gold was secured with unmatched dominance, and India’s reputation as hockey’s new powerhouse was firmly established.
By 1936, India had already established itself as the team to beat. The Berlin Olympics, held under the shadow of Nazi propaganda, provided the perfect stage. India topped their group, sweeping aside Hungary, USA, and Japan. In the semifinal, they crushed France 10–0. The final against the hosts, Germany, was the true test. Played before a huge crowd, India silenced the arena with an 8–1 win. Dhyan Chand, playing barefoot for better control, scored a hat-trick. That final remains the largest winning margin in an Olympic hockey final. While myths about Adolf Hitler offering him a military position have long circulated, the historical fact is this: India’s performance in Berlin was one of the most emphatic displays in Olympic history.
What made this Indian side so unique? Their style was unlike anything Europe had seen. Quick passes, precise positioning, and unselfish play defined them. They attacked in triangles, kept the ball low, and finished with deadly accuracy. Dhyan Chand was the genius, but he wasn’t alone. Jaipal Singh captained with authority in 1928. Roop Singh emerged as a lethal forward. Goalkeeper Richard Allen, barely tested, was unbeatable when called upon. It was a team that played for something greater than themselves.
These victories were not just about sport. For a colonised nation, they were symbols of identity and pride. Newspapers in India hailed the players as heroes. Crowds gathered to welcome them back at ports and stations. At a time when India’s political voice was suppressed, hockey victories carried the sound of freedom. They gave a divided land a glimpse of unity and confidence.
The three golds from 1928 to 1936 were only the beginning. India would go on to win six straight Olympic hockey titles, a run that lasted until 1956. Across those years, they scored heavily, defended fiercely, and lost only once in decades. This was more than dominance—it was a dynasty. The foundation of it all lay in those pre-independence years, when young men carried the hopes of millions onto foreign fields.
