The Origins of Ludo

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Regardless of the patent under the name Ludo by Britisher Alfred in 1896, Pachisi (25) has been played in India for over 5000 years. #Archaeology uncovers cultural appropriation. Bhanpur (3000 bce), Banawali Haryana (3000bce), Chandraketugarh (200 bce), Modern

in 1938, the American toy and game company Transogram launched a widespread board game edition titled Game of India, which was subsequently advertised as Pa-Chiz-Si: The Game of India

In America, there is evidence for home-made boards and boards without a clear origin from the 1850s. A dubious story credits the invention of Parcheesi to Sam Loyd who supposedly sold the rights to the game for $10 at one point but since Sam Loyd was a notorious self-publicist and deceiver, it is probably best to ignore this account. The earliest definite record is that John Hamilton of the Hudson River Valley claimed copyright to the game in 1867. Rights were sold to one Albert Swift who then sold them on to Selchow and Righter in 1870 and this famous company trademarked the game in 1874. Parcheesi went on to become the bestselling game for Selchow & Richter Co. for decades. The later 'Frustration" based on Ludo and initially published by Irwin Toy was made popular in many countries using the marketing muscle of MB Games (Hasbro) ' in a plastic incarnation featuring the gimmick of a centrally placed "pop-o-matic" dice roller.

Pig-a-Back, illustrated and labeled herein, represents a board game variation derived from Pachisi, dating back to 1891, which did not endure over time. Generously provided by John-Henry Collinson.

In Germany, the board game goes by "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht" (translated to English as "Don't-be-angry,-man"), introduced in 1910. Similarly, the Dutch title, "Mens-erger-je-niet," conveys the same meaning. Since it began production in 1914, the game has seen sales surpassing 70 million copies. The original rules have stayed consistent since then, although different versions exist under various names.

In Spain, there is "Parchis" and the

In the French adaptation, called "Le Jeu de Dada" or "Petits Chevaux," players embark on a horse-racing adventure. Participants advance their pieces, referred to as horses, towards their designated home zone. Typically, each person manages between 1 to 3 horses. Victory is claimed by the first player who successfully reaches the final triangular space.

Italy has "Non t'arrabbiare" meaning "Don't get angry!" or "Don't lose your temper!" The game was created in Munich by Josef Friedrich Schmidt in the winter of 1907-1908 , taking inspiration from the Indian Pachisi and the English Ludo .

Stylised versions on a travel theme are played in Switzerland ("Eile mit Weile" - a game originally published in the late 1800s in Germany) and Italy ("Chi va Piano va Sano!"). All of these are simplified children's versions of Pachisi like Ludo.

The Russian version of the game by contrast has an unusual board layout with better game-play. It was originally played in prisons and is called Mandavoshka which, in Russian, is a vulgar word not repeatable in polite company.

Android version of Ludo King, a captivating digital board game, lets players enjoy classic Ludo with friends online or offline anywhere.