One of the best Ludo games available for Android phones is Ludo Empire, which is popular in India. The very nostalgic feeling that comes with Ludo, and the fact that anyone of any age can play the game, makes it a favorite.
The online Ludo Empire gaming platform gives you a chance to win actual cash and spend your time winning money while relaxing and playing your favorite game, Ludo, and several others at a time. At Ludo Empire, you may start with a very tiny investment and progressively gain more as you play more.
Now, to know more about the game Ludo, you should know what Pachisi is, one of the oldest games in the world. Scroll through the blog to learn more about it.
Pachisi, The Game
Pachisi is one of the oldest versions of the modern Ludo game, secondary only to the ancient game of Chaupar. The traditional game of Pachisi, which can also be sometimes seen as a straightforward variation of Chaupar, uses cowries, in place of stick dice. Twenty-five is the value of the highest throw with five cowries; therefore, the name of the game comes from the Hindi word for twenty-five, “pachis.”
As opposed to Chaupar, which gets its name from its board, Pachisi gets its name from the high value of the throw. The dice and cowries used in the game are people of the Indus Valley civilisation from 3000 B.C. Cowries were not always employed for playing the game in the past, but early dice were marked differently and might be either rectangular-shaped (oblong) or cubical.
According to the Rig-Veda and other literature, dice-playing was a common vice among the higher classes and it had huge importance during royal times about 800 B.C. Texts from history and epic stories, including the Mahabharata, describe how dice have developed from a game of chance to science.
For divination, oblong dice called “pasa” in Sanskrit, had different markings and set orders that might result in a wide variety of throw combinations. Although cowries have a long history, the Pachisi board seems to be relatively new, with the first instances dating only to the 16th century, when Emperor Akbar established it.
Despite its lengthy history, Pachisi became more well-known in the US in the 1860s because of John Hamilton’s “Parcheesi” version, which preserved the original rules and board design. Hamilton’s adaptation of the game, despite its modifications, made it a popular game in America and connected Indian rituals with gaming history.
Pachisi, in America
In the 1860s, John Hamilton from the Hudson River Valley brought a version of the Indian game Pachisi to the United States. He first called it “Patcheesi” and applied for a copyright in 1867. In 1869, he changed the name to “Parcheesi” because people were mispronouncing it as “potcheesy” and he wanted it to sound more like the Hindi name. Although he made some changes to the rules and used two square dice instead of traditional Indian dice or cowries, the game still used the basic Pachisi board. Hamilton’s game, popular in Indian culture and seen in historical monuments and artwork, became a major part of American social history and a popular game in American homes.
History of Pachisi and Ludo
On August 29, 1891, Alfred Collier filed for a patent in England for a board game he named Royal Ludo. His patent was approved on October 31, 1891, giving him full economic rights and stopping others from copying the game. Since then, patent number 14636 has been displayed on “Collier Ludo boards” and their rule pamphlets, which have been sold worldwide. However, long before this, the Mughal emperor Akbar played a similar game called Pachisi at his courts in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
French author M L Rousselet described how Akbar played Pachisi in his book “India and its Native Princes”:
“Akbar played Pachisi in a grand way. The court itself, divided into red and white squares, was the board, with a large stone raised on four feet at the center. Akbar and his courtiers played with sixteen young slaves from the harem, dressed in the players’ colors, who moved according to the dice. Akbar enjoyed the game so much that he had Pachisi courts built in all his palaces, and traces of these courts can still be seen in Agra and Allahabad.”
Inter-Related Bond between Pachisi and Ludo
Pachisi and Ludo share a common origin; Ludo is a modern version of the traditional Indian game. While Ludo, with its simple gameplay and bright graphics, has become popular worldwide, Pachisi remains a significant part of Indian history and culture.
Both games are timeless classics that captivate players everywhere with their mix of strategy, luck, and social interaction. They have gained even more popularity in the digital age, allowing players to compete globally.
These games show the enduring appeal of classic board games. Whether you prefer the historical richness of Pachisi or the modern charm of Ludo, both offer unique experiences.
Conclusion
Pachisi and Ludo illustrate how traditional games have evolved over time and across cultures. Pachisi’s complex gameplay and rich history inspired Ludo’s more accessible format. The journey of these games from ancient India to modern digital platforms highlights their lasting appeal and cultural significance.
If you want to experience a game similar to Pachisi, playing Ludo is the way to go. You can play it anytime and anywhere by downloading Ludo Empire, where you can even win money while having fun and relaxing in your free time.
FAQs
1. Are Ludo and Pachisi the same game?
No, Ludo and Pachisi are different games, but they share a bond due to their heritage and the game rules.
2. How has Pachisi contributed to Ludo?
Pachisi has contributed to Ludo in various ways, like their board design, gameplay mechanics, number of players, objective, cultural adaptation, and more.
3. Which game is older, Pachisi or Ludo?
The Pachisi board game is far older than Ludo, as Pachisi came around the 6th century, whereas Ludo is more of a modern adaptation of Pachisi towards the late 19th century.