Board games are one of the oldest entertainment mediums among the natives of India. Over the years, these board games are either lost in history or being transformed into something ragingly popular. One such board game is Ludo. Yes! The name is easily recognisable as this game is a perfect entertainment package. The modern version of Ludo resembles the older one. In fact, the digital versions of Ludo earn money apps are entirely based on the contemporary formats that people enjoy. One can easily download an app and connect with anonymous players to enjoy playing this board game anywhere, anytime.
The History of Ludo
Ludo has come a long way. The historic caves of Ellora and Ajanta demonstrate this board game. It means the natives used to play a particular historical version of this game at least 1500 years ago. In Mahabharata, the legendary epic of India, Kauravas and Pandavas were depicted playing a board game called ‘Chopat’ or ‘Chaupada’ (Chaupar). The fateful board game led to the devastation of Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. Imagine how impactful this game is in Indian history and mythology! The old paintings of Lord Shiva and Parvati, originating in Himachal Pradesh, showing an old form of Ludo, show how significant this game is for the Indians. In Medieval India, Ludo was known as ‘Pachisi.’ The existence of Pachisi in the royal court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar can be witnessed in the testimonials compiled by the biographers back then.
The Origin of Ludo
The origin of Ludo is not known to the historians. The earliest proof of this game’s existence goes back to the 5th Century. Back in the day, natives played this game with sea shells, seeds, staves, and dice. The board used for this game was made of cloth. It had four colors of clothes (significantly red, green, yellow and blue). Natural dyes were used to color. The appearance of Ludo can be witnessed in every level of the societal structure of India during the Medieval Era. The rich and poor played this game with the highest enthusiasm. This game caught the attention of Alfred Collier at the end of the 19th Century. In 1891, he studied the contemporary version of this board game and made some striking changes. He added a cup to roll a die and modified the tracks where the tokens move. He then patented this game and named it the Royal Ludo in the UK in 1896. Very quickly, this game caught the attention of the Western World. It was the era of colonization. It is obvious that this board game become ragingly popular. Almost all the Europeans were fascinated with playing this game. A few decades later, the British Royal Navy designed a better version of this game and named it ‘Uckers.’ This game has gained immense popularity in almost all countries. It is known as Ludu in Africa and Chatus Pada in China. The term Chatush Pada means four pieces of cloth. It is clear how the game is named based on the four distinct colors used on the board.
The Modern Version of Ludo
From using life-size boards in the Royal Court of Fatehpur Sikri and Agra by Akbar to the use of sea shells, Ludo has come a long way. The modern version uses industrially-prepared tokens and dice. A Ludo board is generally made of wood or cardboard. These days, you will discover the digital version of this game. These applications can be downloaded on modern smartphones and played. The modern version is inspired by ‘Uckers,’ the Royal British Navy version.
Cultural Significance of Ludo
One of the reasons behind the raging popularity of Ludo is its exemplary simplicity. The simplest rules allow even kids of age more than three years to play and enjoy. Its simplicity and fun connect people exceptionally. It is a perfect family board game where four players can play. Friends and even strangers connect to each other on a board of Ludo and discuss life. Ludo is exceptionally successful in bringing people of all ages together. There are parks where unknown people connect and play this board game every day. Playing Ludo takes the edge off and helps to de-stress too! In fact, Ludo teaches the players to develop a gaming strategy, count the probability of the moves, design tactics to counter the moves of the opponents and learn to foresee.
Learn Easily and Play Ludo
There are hundreds of versions of Ludo prevalent in the world. The rules are customized by the native players based on their preferences to make this game even more engaging. Ludo is the best board game survivor of all and has been with us for centuries. It has survived and existed for more than 15 centuries (documented). Who knows how old this board game is? It has a huge significance in cultural development and integrity. People connect with each other on a board of Ludo and discuss the strategies. These days, a Ludo player can connect with other players across the world sitting at home. You will just need a smartphone to download a Ludo application. The engaging, interactive interface of the Ludo game app makes it even more interesting for the players. Learn the different types of Ludo played online. Know the easy rules and indulge in playing this game with others. Connect to unknown players and enjoy the thrill of rolling the dice and continuously evolving your strategy to win a board.
