Rolling the Dice: Unearthing the Game’s Birth and Past

As you know, Ludo is an interesting board game. Ever wondered how it developed to be such an amazing game? Let’s go back to an era without smartphones and video games when people found joy and fun in simple yet captivating board games. 

One such game that has stood the test of time is Ludo. It is still one of the most engaging games, with several Ludo money apps where people can earn money by playing the game online. But who invented Ludo? Where did it come from? Let’s go back through history to learn more about the game. 

The Birth of Ludo

Ludo is an ancient board game with a fascinating history. It’s also known as Pachisi. Interestingly, it has connections to the Indian epic called the Mahabharata. In that story, characters played a dice game that’s believed to be the precursor of Pachisi, which later evolved into Ludo.

Pachisi was also called Chaupad, which means “four parts.” People played the game on a board with 68 squares divided into four quadrants. Each player had four tokens they moved around the board by rolling a rectangular dice or a puck. It’s a game with a long and fascinating history!

Origin of the name “Ludo”

As time elapsed, Pachisi spread to different regions of the globe and underwent numerous alterations. The game was adapted and rebranded in the United Kingdom as Ludo, which signifies “I play” in Latin. The game’s latest edition gained popularity as a leisure activity for families and friends and continues to be enjoyed even today.

Historical Facts About Ludo

Here are a few historical facts about the game.

• Based on historical records, Ludo originated in India during the 6th century C.E. from a game known as Pachisi. Various names, such as Chaupar, Chausar, and Parcheesi, were referred to it. 
• The oldest visual depiction of the game can be found in one of Ellora’s most intricately decorated caves, constructed between the 6th and 8th centuries C.E. 
• In the initial account of the Ludo game, Abul Fazl, a historian, asserts that Chaupar or Pachisi, a variant of the game, held great significance in the court and palaces of Mughal Emperor Akbar in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri during the 16th century.

Where was Ludo patented?

The Ludo game board was patented in England, thanks to Alfred Collier, in 1896. 

He modified Pachisi and successfully obtained a patent in England for his creation called the Royal Ludo. This patent granted him exclusive commercial rights to the game, preventing others from copying it. He sold the patented game with rule books worldwide under patent number 14636. The Ludo rules remained mostly unchanged, except for replacing the rectangular dice with a cubic one. Additionally, instead of throwing the dice with one’s hand, a dice cup was introduced to prevent any cheating by the players. 

In the future, the Royal Navy even adopted Ludo, transforming it into the popular board game Uckers. Thanks to Alfred Collier’s inventive spirit, Ludo has continued to captivate players across the globe, providing endless hours of fun and enjoyment.

Traditional Ludo Board

The Ludo board’s playing surface is typically adorned in vivid and lively colours, with each section featuring a distinct colour. The colours used on the board generally consist of red, blue, green, and yellow.

Every section of the board represents a player’s initial and final regions. The initial region is commonly situated in the top left corner of each section and is typically denoted by a small circle or square. It is where each player’s game pieces are positioned at the beginning of the game. The centre of the board is the finishing area. It is divided into four sections, each marked with respective colours. It is conveniently designed to match the objective of the game, which is to move the game tokens to the centre for victory. 

When it comes to the dice, traditionally, the dice were rectangular, which then changed to cubes. Cubic dice were prevalent in the Indus Valley (Harappan) sites around 2300 B.C. In some parts, people even used triangular cubes. It is said that each was numbered in different ways. For instance, all sides could be labelled differently, or two sides could be labelled similarly.

Gameplay of Ludo

At the beginning of the game, each player picks a colour and gathers four tokens of the same colour. The centre of the board is known as the “home”. It has all four colours and is the game’s ending point. The objective of Ludo is to move all your tokens to the centre of the board before your competitors. Then, it means that you won the game. Players should roll the dice and move their tokens as per the number on the top of the dice. Since the number that will appear on top of the dice is unpredictable, the game becomes very exciting. 

Players might cross paths with opponents’ tokens as they progress around the board. When a player’s game piece lands on a space already occupied by a competitor’s game piece, the competitor’s game piece is returned to its home base. This tactical move can slow down opponents and give players an edge in the race to victory.

Rules of Ludo

Ludo’s rules are straightforward and uncomplicated, making them easy to grasp. Players should roll the dice and advance their tokens clockwise around the board. All the tokens should be inside the starting point of each player’s territory. Players should get 6 on the top of the dice to release a token. Some also assign 1 as the releasing number. 

After releasing the token piece, the player must move it around the board and come to the centre. The objective is simple: be the first player to move all your tokens to the finish line and claim victory.  Ludo’s simplicity and entertainment value make it an excellent choice for families and friends to come together and create lasting bonds through the joy of play.

Also Read: Top 7 Rules To Play Ludo & Win Real Money

Variants of Ludo

Although the origin was in India, many countries have embraced it in their manner. Let’s explore some of Ludo’s variants to learn how it is played worldwide.

• Uckers: British version
• Pachisi: Originated in India
• Fia: From Sweden
• Eile mit Weile (Haste makes Pace): Swiss variant
• Cờ cá ngựa: Vietnamese adaptation
• Parchís: Spanish edition
• Parqués: Played in Colombia

All-Time Strategies to Play Ludo

Here are a few strategies that have been followed from ancient times. These apply to the modern version of the game too. Let’s explore.

• The more you play Ludo, the more refined your tactics will become. Have faith in yourself, contemplate the optimal move for each situation, reflect, and participate. 
• Release all your game tokens as soon as the opportunity arises. 
• Ensure all your tokens are on the board. If you only focus on one token, you might get eliminated. 
• Remember which number will lead you to the most advantageous position and which will allow you to eliminate your opponent. 
• Eliminate your opponents as quickly as possible; if you show mercy, you might experience defeat! 
• Keep the piece closest to victory in a secure location and move it with larger numbers. Use smaller numbers for tokens just starting to leave the starting point. 
• If your token is near victory and you can eliminate your opponent’s token, go for the win. Eliminate them if the number is too small (1 or 2) so you can have another turn. If you have a number not beneficial for any of your tokens, move the piece closest to the starting point.

Modern Version of Ludo: Online Gaming

The modern version of Ludo we play on smartphones has undergone several advancements. But, the makers of the modern versions ensure that the game’s essence is not disturbed. Thanks to the technology to bring this class game to our hands, maintaining the legacy of this amazing game.

The modern version is advanced in every aspect, whether the board and the dice, the convenience, or communication while playing. The virtual board often features colourful and interactive graphics, enhancing the gaming experience. The players find it easy to play the game anywhere and anytime they want. Regarding the gameplay, the modern version replaces physical dice with virtual dice, and the platform rolls the dice upon clicking. When you click the tokens, the platform moves the token as per the number on the dice. 

Also Read: How To Withdrawal Ludo Money From Big Cash

Conclusion

Ludo is an amazing game with interesting gameplay. Unveiling the mysteries of who invented ludo and how it developed to an advanced version is an interesting story. People of all ages enjoy the game. It has become a symbol of how games can bring people together and provide fun and social interactions. 

Today, Ludo has also gone digital, with several Ludo money apps on the Internet. Many have started enjoying the game for real money. They also find it as a source of additional income. So, learn how to play Ludo and then experience the thrill of competing on platforms like Big Cash, where you can unlock the possibility of earning extra money while having fun!Big Cash is India’s most reputable skill-based real money multi-gaming platform. The platform offers most played games, like casual and card games and fantasy sports. You can even practise on free games. So, earn huge rewards by playing video games, using your analytical skills, and referring to your friends and relatives.