Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is an Indian professional sports club based in Kolkata, West Bengal. Established on 15 August 1889, it is widely recognized as the oldest existing football club in India and one of the oldest in Asia. While the club has participated in multiple sports over the decades, football has remained its primary identity.
Who Founded Mohun Bagan?
The club was founded by three aristocratic Bengali families from North Kolkata, namely the Mitras, Basus, and Sens. The initial idea was conceived at the Mohun Bagan Villa, a marble palace owned by Kirti Mitra, where a group of enthusiastic young men gathered to create a space to play football.
A historic meeting took place at this villa, presided over by Bhupendranath Basu, a prominent lawyer and nationalist. Alongside Jyotindranath Basu, he became one of the club’s first presidents. This gathering marked the birth of the “Mohun Bagan Sporting Club”.
Interestingly, the date of its formation, 15 August 1889, would later become India’s Independence Day — a symbolic coincidence for what would be known as the national club of India.
From Sporting Club to Athletic Club
Soon after its formation, the club's name was changed to Mohun Bagan Athletic Club upon the recommendation of F.J. Rowe, a respected professor. The renaming reflected a broader ambition and was met with widespread appreciation from all corners of colonial India.
The Historic 1911 Victory
Mohun Bagan’s defining moment came in 1911, when it became the first all-Indian team to defeat a British side. In the final of the IFA Shield, Mohun Bagan defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment, a monumental victory that went beyond the sporting arena. It was a symbolic triumph during India’s freedom struggle, and 11 barefooted Indian players ignited nationalistic pride across the country.
Even the Manchester Guardian, on 4th August 1911, acknowledged this feat:
“A team of Bengalees won the Football Association Shield in India after defeating the crack teams of three British Regiments amidst the applause of 80,000 of their countrymen...”'
Early Achievements
Mohun Bagan won its first trophy in 1904, lifting the Coochbehar Cup, which signaled the beginning of its competitive journey. Over the decades, it has gone on to become one of the most successful and culturally significant football clubs in Indian history.
Founded by visionary Bengalis in the heart of Kolkata, Mohun Bagan is more than just a football club — it is a symbol of Indian pride, resilience, and sporting heritage. Its foundation in 1889 and the iconic 1911 IFA Shield win have immortalized its legacy in Indian sports history.
