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Table of Content
Ludo's Historical Roots: Pachisi and Its Indian Origins
Ludo’s story has its roots in ancient India, where it evolved from a traditional game called Pachisi. This game goes back to at least the 6th century and was extremely popular among Indian royalty. Kings and courtiers played it on grand boards made of cloth, stone, or even carved marble. In these games, the human tokens were used in few cases as a source of entertainment.
The name Pachisi is derived from the Hindi word for twenty-five, which was the highest number a player could score in a move using cowry shells. Four or six shells were tossed instead of dice, and the number of shells that landed open-side up determined the movement of tokens.
The board was shaped like a cross, divided into lanes that led to a central square, also called the home. Players had to navigate their tokens from their base to the center and the effort at all times was to block, capture and avoid opponents.
The person who gets all the tokens home is the winner. This format encouraged alliances, traps, and rivalry - turning Pachisi into more than just a game. It became a reflection of strategy, status, and human behaviour.
How Ludo Spread Globally
Ludo’s Global Journey Began in the British Empire Ludo’s international journey started when the British simplified Pachisi in the late 19th century. As the British Empire expanded through trade, colonization, and migration, the game found its way to new regions. It became popular in Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia, where it was warmly adopted by local cultures.
Ludo’s Cultural Significance in West Africa
In West Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana, Ludo became a part of daily life. It was played in homes, public areas, and during gatherings, often using wooden boards painted by hand. The game’s simple rules and social format made it a favourite among people of all ages.
Parchís: The Spanish and Latin American Variant
In Spain and Latin America, Ludo evolved into a version called Parchís. This variant featured colourful dice and slightly adjusted rules. Countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina embraced Parchís, making it a staple of family nights and festive occasions.
Ludo in South and Southeast Asia
Ludo game also became popular in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. These regions gave the game their own flavour with custom rules, unique token shapes, and locally inspired board designs. Each version reflected the traditions and creativity of its community.
Online Ludo Revolution During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a real change in how people interacted and played. With lockdowns in place, Ludo apps saw explosive growth. Popular Ludo Gaming apps like WinZO Ludo let friends connect virtually.
Families used the game to stay emotionally close, despite being physically apart. The rise of smartphones made it easier to play on-the-go or from home. Online Ludo also introduced competitive and real-money formats.
Live matches, leaderboards, and tournaments gave it new energy. What was once a board game became a full-fledged digital experience. And for many, it became a daily escape and source of joy.
Changes in Ludo Rules Over Time
- House Rules Became Common: Families and friend groups started developing their own rules to make the game more engaging or fair.
- Easier Entry for Tokens: Some versions removed the need to roll a six to enter the board, speeding up gameplay.
- Use of Two Dice Instead of One: To add variety and faster movement, certain versions allowed two dice - this increases the pace and strategy of the game.
- Alliances and Team Play: In many informal settings, players teamed up to target stronger opponents, turning the game into a cooperative competition.
- Safe Zones Introduced: Additional safe spots were added in some regions to protect tokens from being captured, especially for younger players.
- Modified Capture Rules: Some versions allowed multiple captures in one move or removed token capture entirely for a more relaxed experience.
- Custom Token Designs: Players began using different objects or locally made tokens, adding cultural value to the game.
- Board Design Changes: Variations included different layouts, colours, and even locally themed symbols replacing the traditional cross.
- Timed Games and Point Systems: In modern formats, especially online, time limits and point-based scoring systems were introduced to make matches competitive.
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FAQ's about Ludo History
Alfred Collier patented the modern version of Ludo in 1896, adapting it from India’s Pachisi.
Ludo traces back to Pachisi, played in India since the 6th century or earlier.
No. Pachisi supported two to four players and sometimes more in its early form.
