Mohun Bagan’s 1911 IFA Shield triumph will feature in Bengal’s Textbooks for higher secondary students.The syllabus review committee appointed by the Mamata Banerjee government has recommended the inclusion of the feat in the curriculum.
Mohun Bagan was the first Indian team to defeat a European team, when they defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment, 2-1 to lift the 1911 IFA Shield. Shibdas Bhaduri-led Mohun Bagan to a thrilling victory on July 29, 1911, over East Yorkshire regiment which electrified the entire country, then fighting to gain independence from British rule.
The players of Mohun Bagan played bare-footed against the foreigners, who had proper equipment. It became a turning point in Indian football.
It was the first time an Indian club succeeded in lifting the IFA Shield by beating the British at their own game. The epic feat has earlier featured in movies, plays and songs.
Avik Majumdar, head of the syllabus review committee, said it was a historic event which deserved due recognition. “Students should learn this part of our history”.
Mohun Bagan General Secretary Anjan Mitra said the 1911 triumph earlier was a part of the school curriculum in the 1960s. “We read about the exploits of the immortal XI and fell in love with football and Mohun Bagan. But later it was dropped from the syllabus. It is great that the present government has decided to make it a part of the curriculum again.”