A rich legacy of toys and board games in India
Ancient India had a rich tradition of board games, whose variations are still played today as Snakes & Ladders, Ludo and chess. The games were also a way to inculcate moral values in children.
The origins of toys in India go back to the Indus Valley civilisation, which flourished between 3300 and 1300 BCE. Archaeologically, numerous toys have been discovered at different sites in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
During this time, clay figurines, dolls, and wheeled animals were made using locally available materials. In ancient India, toys played an important role and carried religious as well as cultural significance. Wooden dolls and figurines were used in rituals and mythology.
Through excavations, we also find intricately carved puppets and painted toys, adding layers of storytelling and tradition. The toys have stayed the same, while evolving in their sophistication.
Even today, children use rattles, balls, figurines and wheeled-toys, just that their materials have changed. Over time, the evolution of games blended creativity with purpose, creating objects for education as well as for entertainment.
Also read: Six traditional indoor games that kids can enjoy this summer
Ancient games and the concept of good vs evil
Apart from archaeological records, the literary texts also mention numerous games fancied by children as well as adults. Here it is important to note that these games were not merely for leisure and, more often than not, a way to teach children about the importance of good deeds, and the karmic effect of bad deeds.
One of the most famous examples of games from ancient India is the Pachisi or Chaupar, or the game of dice. This is similar to the present-day favourite past-time of every household in the Indian subcontinent – Ludo.
Another game mentioned in the Indian epic of Ramayana is Pallankuzhi, a two-row, seven-pit game from South India that is still a part of popular culture. It is believed that goddess Sita played the game while in Ashoka Vana. The Mamallapuram Shore Temple also contains a four-row inscription about the game.
Unlike Pachisi or Chaupar, which are traditionally played by men, Pallankuzhi is a game common among women.
Most kids today are fond of Snakes & Ladders. While the game might be new, the idea is not. The original, also known as Moksha Patamu, Paramapada Sopanapatam, Gyan Chaupar or Vaikuntapali in ancient India, was invented to teach children about the benefits of good deeds and drawbacks of bad ones.
Each ladder represented good deeds such as kindness, humility, faith, and took the player forward in the game (and in the Karmic cycle). On the other hand, bad deeds such as ego, jealousy, anger, hatred, were represented using snakes, and moved the player backward in the game (as well as the Karmic cycle). The game represented the journey of a soul towards the greater being. The last number represents salvation or Moksha.
Board games as a part of life
While gambling today is illegal in most places, we know that it was prevalent in the Mauryan empire, as the rules for its regulation were mentioned by Kautilya. However, there is no mention of board games such as Pachisi during this period. It is possible that board games became a part of common life.
Everything that is part of the common life is incorporated into the art and culture of a region. The southern wall of cave number 14 of the Kailash temple, Ellora depicts Shiva and Parvati indulging in a board game. Another sculpture in cave number 16 depicts an argument between the divine couple about choosing the next game. Yet another depiction in cave number 21 shows Shiva persuading Parvati to play one more match. Similar sculptures portraying a game of dice between the couple can be found at numerous places, such as the Pataleshvara Temple, Malhar, Madhya Pradesh.
Chaturanga, developed in the early 6th century CE, is a game incorporating four divisions of the army – the infantry, cavalry, elephant riders and the king and queen. The game eventually evolved into modern day chess.
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The 12th century text, Manasollasa, written by Someshvara III, includes five books, of which the fifth and the last one talks about different games along with their rules, such as backgammon. According to Micaela Soar, Backgammon developed in the Punjab region in 400 CE and eventually evolved into the present-day version of the game.
Vibrant toys of the medieval India
During the medieval period, there was an upsurge in toy-making techniques as terracotta and clay toys became more widespread. Toys were becoming more vibrant, decorated with intricate designs, and represented vehicles, animals and gods.
Several new toys were introduced or reintroduced in Persianised forms in the sub-continent such as the card game of Ganjifa. The Mughals were fond of traditional Indian arts and crafts. While there are many miniature paintings that depict the board games and toys that were part of the culture, the most striking example is the Pachisi courtyard, built by Akbar in the Fatehpur Sikri.
Under British rule, there was a Western influence in Indian toy-making, as new European designs and materials such as tin and plastic replaced traditional clay toys. The introduction of British toys in India transformed Indian toy industries, which have now become more westernised. Today, the toy industry struggles to stay intact due to the influx of cheap, machine-made products from abroad. The rising consumerism and the need to have new products every few weeks have also impacted the long-lasting traditional products.
Toys and board games have played an important role in the cultural history of India. These games were not merely means of passing time, but were also used as a way to inculcate good habits in children, teach them about their religion and culture. Today, these games are a way of understanding our past.
Read more about the traditional toys of India here.
This story first appeared on MeMeraki.
About MeMeraki
MeMeraki is India’s first ‘culture-tech’ platform using technology to empower and accelerate the artisan creator economy. Their mission is to digitise every heritage art and craft of India to ultimately create sustainable livelihoods for artisans.
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The lead image on top depicts a terracotta cart and bullocks from the Indus Valley civilisation. (Photo courtesy of MeMeraki)
