Origin of Ludo: The Fascinating Indian Board Game

The Origin of Ludo

Who doesn't like playing Ludo with their friends and family? The excitement, the competitive spirit and the leisurely time — all make Ludo a favourite board game of the households. You may start playing Ludo board and lose track of time as the game keeps you hooked till the end. The best part about Ludo is that everyone has played Ludo at least once in their life and cannot resist playing it again if asked.

Ludo board games experienced a significant rise in offline and online demand when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. This four-player game has witnessed boundless fun and excitement from around the world. But have you ever wondered where it came from? Who invented Ludo? How did it come to India? If you do not have the answers, then we got you! In this blog, we are going to answer all these questions and discuss more about Ludo's history in the most simplified way possible.

Let's Know More About Ludo

Ludo is a board game that originated in India in the period of 3300 BC. This easy-to-play board game is most loved and enjoyed across the globe. This exciting game can keep kids and adults engrossed. The basic Ludo information you need is that the game is played on a square board having different colour bases. In Ludo, players move clockwise around the board, aiming to return to their chosen colour to win. The tokens used to play the game come in a set of four of the same colour as the base. There is a dice as well that is thrown each time to move the tokens accordingly.

The Invention of Ludo — Which Country Invented Ludo?

The first evidence of Ludo can be traced back to the times of Mahabharata. It was a game of Pachisi in India during the 6th century, which later came to be known as Ludo. ‘Pachisi’ in English means ‘twenty-five’, which represents the number of cowrie shells used as dice. Mughal emperors and other royalties played the game to form strategies.

Pachisi used to be played on a cloth board and was among the most enjoyable games played in Mahabharata. The objective was to move all the tokens around the board and return to the centre before the opponents. The game required careful planning, tactical moves, and a bit of luck with the dice rolls on the board, with players using cowrie shells. 

Earlier, emperors used to bid the women of the empire in the game. However, later the structure and methodology of Indian board games were moulded and standardised into a simple yet less risky version known as ‘Ludo’ today. The word Ludo was derived from the Latin word ‘Ludos’, which means ‘game’. The British people undertook the modification by changing the cloth board to a square board and adding colours to the squares. They also introduced the use of ‘dice’ instead of cowrie shells and even made some changes to the rules of the game. This new Ludo was then eventually spread to the other parts of Europe. 

Patent of Ludo 

The newly found Ludo game had to be patented to secure its newly found modifications. In the early 20th century, the game was patented by Alfred Collier in England. He modified the rule and added a dice cup to throw the dice without using one's hand. This was done to reduce the chances of cheating in the game and to rectify the shortcomings of the Indian Ludo game. 

The modern-day Ludo that we know has also undergone minor modifications over time in terms of design, colourful quadrants, the material of the board and so on. Ludo’s rules today are simpler; all that the players have to do is move their tokens from the starting area to the home area by rolling the dice. The first player to move all their tokens to the home area is declared the winner.

Also Read : Ludo Token Enhance Your Ludo Knowledge And Skills

More about Modern Ludo

The modernised Ludo we know today is much easier and more convenient for all age groups to play. The spread of Ludo is not just across countries but across platforms as well. Many Ludo applications allow playing with your friends or strangers online via smartphones or PCs (personalised computers).

However, there are still many people who love to play Ludo the old traditional way, but the impact of the digitalisation of Ludo cannot be ignored here. The pandemic has seen an upsurge in demand for Indian Ludo apps and other international apps just to experience the fun of Ludo.

International Variant of Ludo 

The game of Ludo is loved and enjoyed by every country worldwide. However, you may find slight variations in the names, rules and other specifications. Some of the famous international variations of Ludo are as follows:

  • Pachisi, Indian
  • Fia, Swedish
  • Uckers, British 
  • Cờcángựa, Vietnamese
  • Eile mit Weile (Haste makes Pace), Swiss
  • Parques, Colombian 

Strategies to Win Ludo Like a Pro 

Losing a simple game like Ludo is frustrating, isn't it? The key to mastering the art of playing Ludo lies in practising every tactic. We have listed below some proven Ludo tricks and strategies for you to apply and turn the tables in your favour:

  • Play as many times as possible —the more y
  • ou play, the better strategy you will inherit with each game. 
  • Play your part with confidence. Always think about what would be the best move for your tokens and play accordingly.
  • Open all your tokens the moment you get the chance to do so.
  • Create a balance of count in your mind, like which number can lead you to a favourable result and which number will eradicate the opponent's token. 
  • Kill the tokens of opponents as soon as you get the chance. Don't fall into the trap of mercy, as it might lead you to lose the game. 
  • Position your token near the victory place and move it with favourable numbers; try using your small numbers on the tokens that are about to run out of the house.
  • If there ever comes a situation where you are just one number behind to win or kill the opponent's piece, then you must always go for the win. 
  • If you ever get a number on your dice that is not good for any of your four tokens, then always move the one that is nearest to the initial point. 

Play Ludo Like Never Before with First Games 

Playing the simplest game of Ludo can be more fun when you choose First Games Loodo as your go-to gaming platform. First Games is the leading gaming platform that lets you test your luck in the gaming world with fantasy sports, rummy and whatnot! As of now, we have reached over 30 million users and enhanced their gaming experience significantly. Our flexible terms and conditions make us lead the gaming industry and make every leisure time worthwhile.

The users of First Games must be at least 18 years of age to enjoy all the gaming perks. The user must also create a secure account by adding all the relevant information and making sure not to add any false information here. Your gaming account must abstain from any type of commercial, branding or other illicit activities. 

Any default in your account may lead to suspension and steal away the exciting gaming experience. So, make sure to abide by all the terms and conditions to make your Ludo experience ecstatic and one-of-kind! Wait no further, download First Games Loodo now and play your all-time favourite game with your friends and family.

FAQ’s

  • How long does a typical game of Ludo last? Arrow
    The duration of a game of Ludo can vary depending on factors such as the number of players and their playing styles. On average, a game can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.
  • Are the dice rolled in a digital Ludo, manipulated? Arrow
    The dice rolled in a digital Ludo are not manipulated at all. The dice are random and generated by the computer having no control over the number it produces.
  • Is Ludo a game of luck or strategy? Arrow
    Ludo is a mix of both luck and strategy. Luck plays a role in dice rolls, while strategic decisions like positioning your tokens and choosing your moves can impact your gameplay.
  • Can I play Ludo online? Arrow
    Yes, you can play Ludo online via many applications available on your Play Store or Apple Store. First Games is also one of the platforms that one can choose for a seamless and fun experience.
  • Can I play Ludo with just two players? Arrow
    Yes, you can play the game with just two players as well. However, the maximum player requirement in Ludo is four.

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