Board games have a long history in India which can be traced from 3500 BC. Archaeological excavations on sites such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa have revealed early board games and dice, indicating that gaming was a popular pastime even in the Indus Valley Civilization. With the adoption of technology among mass users, Ziffi Chess bought the amalgamation of Board games and technology for users to have a fun experience and win money.

Please read the history discussed here for your understanding.

Chaturanga

The origins of Chaturanga date back to India from the 6th Century AD. The name itself suggests its meaning i.e. ‘Four Divisions’ reflecting the four battalions of an Army: Infantry, Cavalry, Elephantary, and Chariotry.

Unlike modern-day chess, the precise rules of Chaturanga are still unclear. However, it’s confirmed that it involved an 8X8 board and dice and the objective was to capture the enemy’s king. The game eventually spread to Persia, paving the way for the development of modern-day chess.

Board image of Chaturaji, a four-player version of Chaturanga

Image Credits: Chess.com

Pachisi and Chaupar

Pachisi is a cross and circle board game played on a symmetrical cross-shaped board. Its origin is uncertain, it can be traced back to the 4th century AD. The game involves moving pieces around the board based on dice rolls.

Chaupar is a similar game, popular in ancient royal courts with slightly different boards and rules. The combination of both Pachisi and Chaupar influenced the development of modern board games like Ludo.

Image of Indian Pachisi and Chaupar set handcrafted by Indian artisans.

Moksha Patam

Moksha Patam, also known as Snake and Ladders, originated in India during the 13^th century. The game was intended to convey moral and spiritual teachings, echoing the philosophy of Karma and the cycle of rebirth. The ladders here represent virtues and the snakes represent vices.

British discovered Moksha Patam in the 19th century and bought it back to England. While spreading in the West it developed into modern-day Snake and Ladders and quickly became popular among children for its ease of understanding.

Image of traditional Moksha Patam, also known as Snake and Ladder or (Saanp Seedhi) in some parts of India.

Ganjifa

Ganjifa or Ganjapa is a traditional card game that originated in Persia and became widely popular in its birthplace and India. India itself had different variants of Ganjifa developed based on regions such as Mysore Ganjifa, Sawantwadi Ganjifa (City in Maharashtra), Odisha Ganjifa and Rajasthani Ganjifa. Ganjifa was popular among the Royals and the game involved strategic moves that required skill set. It was played with a set of 96 cards.

Image of Ganjifa cards representing hunters, royal figures, musicians, etc

Ashta Chamma

Ashta Chamma is similar to Ludo and inspired by it, played by people mostly in the South of India. It uses a grid-based board, 5X5 for two players. It remains a popular choice of casual entertainment, especially in rural areas.

Image of a traditional wooden Ashta Chamma board.

In current times, traditional Indian board games have seen a revival with technology adoption, and efforts to preserve and promote them. New board games are also being developed, combining traditional themes with modern lifestyles like less time-consuming and better designs like the Ziffi Chess example. Start-ups across the country are working to ensure that these ancient games do not go extinct and continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

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