Five Ancient Games
That Are Still Played Today
1. Pachisi
This board game originated in India where it is played on an embroidered cross. The goal is to move your pieces completely around the board before the other players can do so. Cowrie shells are rolled to determine the number of spaces that a player should move his/her pieces.
In the westernized versions, known as Parcheesi,
Ludo, and Sorry!, dice are used instead of cowrie shells.
The Mughal Emperor Akbar constructed a giant board and used his slaves as human game pieces.
This board game originated in India where it is played on an embroidered cross. The goal is to move your pieces completely around the board before the other players can do so. Cowrie shells are rolled to determine the number of spaces that a player should move his/her pieces.
In the westernized versions, known as Parcheesi,
Ludo, and Sorry!, dice are used instead of cowrie shells.
The Mughal Emperor Akbar constructed a giant board and used his slaves as human game pieces.
2. Chess
There is some debate over the origin of chess, but many believe it was created in India.
The original game, known as shatranj, had a chariot instead of the modern day rook, and an elephant instead of the modern day bishop.
If you want to see some cool chess boards, check out this site.
There is some debate over the origin of chess, but many believe it was created in India.
The original game, known as shatranj, had a chariot instead of the modern day rook, and an elephant instead of the modern day bishop.
If you want to see some cool chess boards, check out this site.
3. Mancala
Mancala is the term for a group of "sowing" games. Seeds or pebbles are distributed to different pits in a board or even in the ground.
The oldest evidence of these games was found in Africa and dates back to over 1,000 years ago.
Mancala is the term for a group of "sowing" games. Seeds or pebbles are distributed to different pits in a board or even in the ground.
The oldest evidence of these games was found in Africa and dates back to over 1,000 years ago.
4. Snakes and Ladders
Snakes and Ladders is another game that originated in India. Dice are rolled to determine the number of spaces that you should move. If you land on a snake, then you move back spaces. If you land on a ladder, then you move ahead spaces.
This game was designed to teach the role of fate in people's daily lives.
In the US it called Chutes and Ladders.
Snakes and Ladders is another game that originated in India. Dice are rolled to determine the number of spaces that you should move. If you land on a snake, then you move back spaces. If you land on a ladder, then you move ahead spaces.
This game was designed to teach the role of fate in people's daily lives.
In the US it called Chutes and Ladders.
5. Go
This game originated in China over 2,500 years ago!
White and black stones are strategically placed on a board in order to win control over a territory.
Go is so popular in Asia, that matches are shown on TV in Japan, China, and Korea.
This game originated in China over 2,500 years ago!
White and black stones are strategically placed on a board in order to win control over a territory.
Go is so popular in Asia, that matches are shown on TV in Japan, China, and Korea.