The Polo Gardens

When the British were settling in Pachmarhi, they required the settlement of a fairly large number of local population, in order to manage the cantonment. They also wanted a royal touch to be instilled into Pachmarhi for Social and Political reasons. Therefore, selected royalties from across India were invited to set up estates in Pachmarhi. Amongst them was also the Maharaja of Jodhpur. It is believed that the Maharaja brought with him the game of Horse Polo, which was enjoyed by the Royals and the British alike. With this came up the Polo Grounds of Pachmarhi. However, during the early 1900’s the grounds were converted into botanical gardens, to take care of the requirements of fruits and vegetable supplies for the settlement area. To this day, the Polo Gardens house rare and exotic variety of plants and trees, including many grafted mango trees with up to five varieties in one tree. One can see trees of all variety with Orchids growing over them. A place to enjoy a lovely walk and even buy some rare and exotic saplings. At the peak of the British settlement, over 16 Royal Houses from across the British India, had their estates at Pachmarhi. The Kennel Club, perhaps the Central Indian, reportedly even had a annual Dog Show, at Pachmarhi, reportedly till the late 1960’s and 1970’s.