Gostha Paul

Sir Dukhiram Majumder was the father figure of football in India during the pre-independence era, credited for bringing up players like Pal, Shibdas Bhaduri and others. He was also groomed and coached by Rajen Sen and Major Sailen Bose.

"I see, you are Goshto Pal, the Chinese Wall." Nicknamed as "Chiner Pracheer" (The Great Wall of China), Pal was one of the best defenders of contemporary Indian football. He started playing for Kumartuli Athletic Club at the age of 11, and was spotted there by Kalicharan Mitra, also known as Kali Mittir, one of only two Indian members in the governing body of the Indian Football Association (IFA) at the time. Mittir was influential and well-connected in the Indian football scene, and the first to identify Pal's unique defence techniques. He was signed by Mohun Bagan at the age of 16, as a replacement for Reverend Sudhir Chatterjee. After joining the team, he played in the 1914 Calcutta Football League second division; Mohun Bagan for the first time played in the tournament and finished third with only the top non-military team be promoted to CFL 1st Division. They played their first match of the first division on 15 May 1915 against Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, which was drawn. In 1916, he appeared in Asanullah Cup in Decca, in which they went down to Sovabazar Club in final.

Gostha Imapegnable as the Chinese Wall Playing barefooted, Pal faced problems in his early games but regained his composure quickly to mark his monopoly in the…

Between 1924 and 1935, during the British rule in the country, Pal represented India national football team in their tours to Ceylon and Australia. He took part, and also captained in India's earliest known matches against visiting European teams. In 1924, he was appointed captain of the national team consisted both Indian and British players, that toured to Ceylon. Thus, he became India's first captain and the tour became first known official international tour by the team. Pal was again selected in the Indian team for an away match against Ceylon in 1933 as the captain of IFA XI. He played against Ceylon in 1933 and led his side to 1–0 victory. In next year, he missed an opportunity to play for India in their South Africa tour due to injury, in which Sanmatha Dutta succeeded him in leading the team.

After retirement, Pal was associated with Mohun Bagan and scouted players for the team. In 1948, he took up the responsibility of secretaryship of the club temporarily when Balaidas Chatterjee went on to guide India at the Summer Olympics in London. Beside football, Pal also appeared in the silent era movie Gouri Shankar, which was directed by Anandamohan Roy, produced by National Pictures Limited, and released on 26 October 1932.

Born on 20 August 1896 in Bhojeswar, Faridpore, Bengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh), Pal was son of Baboo Shyamlal Pal, a businessman. He moved to Calcutta when he was an infant and lived there till his final days. Pal was a student of Sarada Charan Aryan Institution in Beniatola.

Even if you did not find it necessary to inform us about your marriage, it is my responsibility to bless you on behalf of the Club. After we won the 1911 IFA Shield, I got 12 of these badges made. I gave 11 to the 11 players and still have the 12th one with me. I had thought I will give it to someone who will carry forward the tradition and heritage of Mohun Bagan, someone who will always be with the Club. Since his childhood, he used to play both football and cricket, alongside hockey and tennis. He later represented Mohun Bagan cricket team many times. Pal was married to Pushpa Kundu and gave birth their sons Nirangshu and Sukumar. He was influenced by legendary footballer Shibdas Bhaduri and choose football later, after watching Mohun Bagan's historic IFA Shield victory in 1911 from gallery. Pal went to Vidyasagar College in Calcutta and came close to then principal Saradaranjan Ray, who is regarded as father of cricket in Bengal. He was given the title "Chowdhury" during British Raj, but never used it due to nationalist sentiments. Pal went on to write his autobiography which is unfinished and unpublished.