Dhyan Chand once turned down Adolf Hitler’s offer to join the German Army

India’s legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905. Often referred to as the ‘Wizard of Hockey’, Dhyan Chand kept everybody glued to their seats whenever he played. Such was his mastery and control over the ball that it is said the officials broke his stick to ascertain if there was a magnet attached inside or not.

Dhyan Chand, in his autobiography – Goal, wrote that he was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 1905. He joined the Indian Army in 1992 when he was 17. It was the same year when he started playing for the armed forces.

Owing to his on-field skills, he was recruited to play for the Indian Army. He was part of the team that toured New Zealand in 1926. He was 20-years-old then. During that outing, the Indian team won 18 out of the 21 matches. Satisfied with his performance, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Naik.

The Indian hockey team made its hockey debut at the Amsterdam Olympics. And during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dhyan Chand was made an offer by Adolf Hitler which he turned down.

India started their campaign with a 1-4 loss against Germany. However, a small change in the line-up prompted splendid performances from the Indian team. They defeated Japan 9-0, beat the USA 7-0, and Hungary 4-0 in the group stage.

India followed it up with a 10-0 crushing of the French, and then they were up against the Germans in the final of the tournament.

The hype of the match was so big that top Nazi officials, including Hermann Goering, Joseph Goebbels and Adolf Hitler, showed up in the stadium to support the hosts. As India enjoyed a one-goal lead at half-time, the Germans played rough and marked Dhyan Chand in such a manner that he couldn’t play and even lost a tooth in a tackle.

However, the Indian players improvised on their game plan and buried seven more goals in the back of the German goalpost. Dhyan Chand scored a hat-trick, while the hosts only managed to score a single goal.

It is widely believed that Hitler left the stadium before the match was over only to return the next day during a presentation ceremony.

At the ceremony, Hitler reportedly offered Dhyan Chand a position in the German Army, the Indian magician declined the offer.

It is also believed that the Indian hockey team was one of the few to not give Hitler the customary Nazi salute.

This year, as well, on his birthday, which is considered the National Sports Day, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind will give away the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award along with the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards.

Dhyan Chand amassed more than 400 international goals in his career and guided India to a podium finish at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics.