why is the calcutta cup so called
The Calcutta Cup is so called because it was created and donated by the old Calcutta (Kolkata) Rugby Football Club in India, and the trophy was named after that club and the city where it was made.
Why Is The Calcutta Cup So Called?
Quick Scoop
- The name “Calcutta Cup” comes from the Calcutta Rugby Football Club, based in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in British India.
- When the club folded in the 1870s, its remaining funds—270 silver rupees—were melted down to create a rugby trophy.
- This trophy was presented to the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England, which decided it would be awarded to the winner of the annual England vs Scotland rugby match.
- Because the cup was made in Calcutta and given by the Calcutta club, it was named the Calcutta Cup and the name has stuck ever since.
In short: it’s called the Calcutta Cup to honour the defunct Calcutta Rugby Football Club and its Indian origins, not because the match is played in India.
A Short Origin Story
In 1872, British soldiers and expats in Calcutta organised a rugby match between teams representing England and Scotland, which proved popular and led to the formation of the Calcutta Rugby Football Club the following year. Rugby enthusiasm there faded later in the decade, and the club decided to disband. Rather than simply withdrawing their funds, club members chose to leave a lasting memorial to their team and to the game. They melted 270 silver rupees and had Indian silversmiths craft a decorative cup, complete with elephant finial and ornate detailing, in Calcutta.
This newly created trophy was sent to the RFU in London with the suggestion that it be used as a “challenge cup” for rugby. The RFU decided it would be awarded to the winner of the annual fixture between England and Scotland, the oldest international rugby rivalry. Because the cup came from Calcutta and commemorated the Calcutta club, it was officially named the Calcutta Cup.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Calcutta Cup? | A rugby trophy contested by England and Scotland, now within the Six Nations Championship. | [3][5]
| Why is it called the Calcutta Cup? | It was created and donated by the Calcutta Rugby Football Club in Calcutta, India, and named after the club and city. | [7][1][5][3]
| What is it made from? | Originally crafted from 270 melted-down silver rupees taken from the disbanding club’s funds. | [1][5][3]
| When did this happen? | The club formed after a 1872 match; the cup was created and presented to the RFU in the late 1870s. | [5][1][3]
| Why link England and Scotland? | The Calcutta Cup was designated as the prize for their annual international match, reflecting their early role in international rugby. | [9][1][3][5]
A Tiny Bit Of Context For Today
The Calcutta Cup remains one of rugby union’s most storied trophies, still awarded when England play Scotland each year, now as part of the Six Nations. Its name is a reminder of rugby’s spread through the British Empire in the 19th century and of a long-vanished club in colonial Calcutta whose parting gesture became a lasting symbol of the England–Scotland rivalry.
TL;DR: It’s called the Calcutta Cup because the original trophy was made from melted silver rupees by the Calcutta Rugby Football Club in India and gifted to the RFU, which named it after the club.
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