Few popular games that were originated in India

Ancient India was prosperous and also had quite a flair for sports and games. Several popular games that we play today had been invented in India. Interesting much? So let’s take a look at some of these games that originated in Indian soil and start playing them with pride.

• Chess – Ever heard of Vishwanathan Anand? An indian chess grandmaster who rose to international fame and made India proud owing to his incredible talent and skills in playing chess. Chess is a worldwide popular strategy game which is played between two players. The game is believed to have originated in eastern India before the 6th century A.D.

• Kho-kho – Kho-kho is considered to be the traditional sport of India and is believed to have originated in Maharashtra. The game follows the ideology – ‘To chase rather than run’. Played between two teams, the goal is to trap all the opponent players in a lesser time than the other.

• Ludo – The game is also known by the name ‘pachisi’. The board game is believed to have be played by the mughal emperors and also has its depiction in the Ajanta caves. The objective of the players is to move all four of their pieces around the board before the opponents.

• Polo –  You must have heard of Qutubuddin Aibak – The sultanate of Delhi and one who started the construction of Qutub Minar in Delhi. Well, the fun fact is he died while playing this game. The modern game of Polo originated from Manipur in India. The game gained popularity in India during the mughal empire and Britishers later globalized the game.

• Kabaddi – By now you must have seen probably a game or two of pro kabaddi league and have heard of players chanting ‘kabadii, kabadii, kabadii’. A game that supposedly began in ancient India in the state of Tamil Nadu. The game is contact based where two teams play, acquiring half the court and a player is sent to the opponent’s court to touch player/players and return without being trapped in order to earn points. You must have watched or seen Pro kabaddi league (Similar to the IPL format) which is quite interesting. If not, then what are you waiting for?

Quite a revelation. Don’t you feel proud to be a citizen of a country which has such enriched sports culture?