Top 7 International Games With Its Origins In India

India is a country with a rich and diverse history. The culture of India has been enriched by a variety of influences, including the ancient Hindu religious traditions, the British Raj, and the many immigrants who have settled in the country. This has resulted in a vast range of cultural practices and a wide variety of sports and games. India has given birth to some of the world's most popular and beloved games, which have been adapted and enjoyed in many countries around the world. In this article, we will explore the origins of the top 7 international games that have their roots in India.

1. Polo

Central Asia is the birthplace of the historical version of Polo, but it was Manipur that initiated the modern interpretation of the sport. During the 15th Century, the Mughal Emperor Babur popularized the game among the courtiers. The British adopted the concept of the game and it quickly spread around the world. The game is played while riding on a horse. Elephant Polo is popular in Rajasthan and other countries, such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

2. Jallikattu

Have you ever considered that bullfighting may have originated from somewhere other than Spain? We all used to think the same at one point. However, there are different, localised versions of the activity known as Jallikattu, Eruthazhuvathal and Manju Virattu that are traditionally celebrated during Pongal. Bulls are prepared for the event, with some being specially fed up until the day of the event. Yet, now the activity is more of an entertainment event, with competitions and prize money for the successful participant. Formerly, it was a pursuit of the ancient Tamil Nadu's tribes, but now it's viewed as a way of showing courage while making money.

3. Ludo

This popular indoor game is something that has been a part of Indian culture for a long time. We've all had the experience of having a Ludo competition, in which the loser must give a treat at the end! Did you know that Ludo was once known as Pachisi, and the board is made of either jute or a cloth? Akbar was a big fan of the game. It is believed that Pachisi evolved from the game Chausar, which was played by the Kauravas and Pandavas. The British then adapted the game and added a dice cup and a cube dice, which was patented as Ludo in England in 1896.

4. Snakes and Ladder

Moksha Patam, also known as the 'Liberation board', is an old Indian game that is believed to have been invented by Saint Gyandev in the 13th Century, which coincided with the rise in popularity of the Bhakti Movement in South India. The snake in the game symbolized 'Vices' and the ladder symbolized 'Virtue'. Just like Karma Theory, Good Karmas will bring joy and virtue in the form of climbing the ladder, while Bad Karmas will cause vice, sorrow, and pain.

5. Cards

On Diwali, we partake in a game known as Ganjifa which has been around since the 16th Century during the times of the Mughals. It is played with extravagant cards made with materials such as tortoise shells and ivory, and embellished with precious stones. Is there a correlation between this game and the evolution of the world?

6. Chess

This game, originally known as 'Ashtapada', is one of the oldest known games that originated in Ancient India. The Gupta Empire gave it the name 'Ashtapada'. Later, when the Persians visited India, they took the game back with them, and referred to it as 'Shatranj'. Once the British arrived, the game's popularity skyrocketed across the world. Indian grandmasters, such as Vishwanathan Anand, who has won multiple championships including the World Chess Championship, have increased the popularity of the game. In fact, India has many celebrated grandmasters of the game!

7. Kabaddi

The Pro Kabbadi League has revolutionized the sport and made it into a huge success on a global scale. But did you know that this game is believed to have first been played in present-day Tamil Nadu, around 4000 years ago? It is also known by five different names, with five different forms, namely Gaminee, Amar, Circle, Goongi, and Suranjeevii. It was in the 1936 Berlin Olympics that the game got worldwide recognition. In Punjab, it has been an integral part of martial tradition.