Games That Originated in India
Games That Originated in India
Chess:
This ancient game of strategy and intellect, originated in India around the 6th century as Chaturanga. It's believed to have been inspired by the movements of the military, with each piece representing a different branch of the army.
Chutes and Ladders:
Often associated with luck, Chutes & Ladders finds its roots in ancient India as a moralistic game called 'Moksha Patam,' meaning path to liberation. Players navigated a board representing life's journey, aiming for salvation.
Carom:
Carrom emerged in India during the 19th century. Combining skill and strategy, players use strikers to pocket coins. Although relatively new, its popularity has turned it into a household and nationally competitive game across India.
Ludo:
This classic board game traces its history back to 6th century India as Pachisi. While the original game was more complex with different rules, the modified current version requires players to race their tokens around the board, relying on dice rolls and strategy.
Kabaddi:
Considered to be one of the oldest contact sports in the world, a myth links its origins to the epic Mahabharata, where Arjuna is said to have learned the game from Lord Krishna. It involves raiding opponents' territory while reciting the word 'kabaddi.' The word originates from Tamil, which translates to “holding hands.”
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Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns.
