Gostha Paul

Who was Gostha Paul?

Gostha Behari Paul was an Indian professional football player. He was born in Bhojeswar, Faridpore, Bengal Presidency. He moved to Kolkata when he was an infant and lived there till his very last days.

Nicknamed as "Cheener Pracheer" he was one of the best defenders of contemporary Indian football. He started playing for Kumartuli A.C. aged 11, and joined Mohun Bagan at the age of 16. In 1921, Gostho Paul was honored with the captaincy of the Mohun Bagan football team, and he remained as the club captain for next 5 years. In 1924, he was also appointed as the captain of the Indian national football team. He retired in 1935.

He was the first Indian footballer to be honoured with the Padma Shri, on April 27, 1962..

A statue was erected In his memory in 1984 on the Gostho Paul Sarani in Kolkata. Mohun Bagan awarded him the Mohun Bagan Ratna posthumously, which is given to former greats of that club, in 2004. An archive was launched in his honour and named the Gostho Paul Archive, inside the Mohun Bagan club premises.