Ludo is a well-known board game played by two or four players using sets of colored tokens and a die. The game is most popular in India, Europe, and South America. It has several variations and many different names, some of which are registered trademarks, mostly by European companies.
History of the game
The word ludo comes from Latin and means “I play,” though this name appeared long after the game itself — only once it had spread from South Asia to Europe. The historical origin of Ludo is in India, where it was played as early as the 6th century AD — although back then, it was played without dice.
The final version of the game, in which opponents take turns rolling a die, was patented in England in 1896 by Alfred Collier and sold under the name Royal Ludo, emphasizing its status as a “royal” board game.
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, this board game was very popular among sailors of the British navy. With a few changes to the rules, it gained a new English name — Uckers. In Sweden, a version became known as Fia (full name: Fia med knuff, meaning “Fia with a push”), and in Switzerland, as Eile mit Weile, which literally translates to “Hurry slowly.”
There is also a Hungarian version — Ki nevet a végén (“Who laughs last?”), a German version — Mensch ärgere Dich nicht (“Don’t get angry, man”), and a French version — Jeu des petits chevaux (“Game of the little horses”). In Spain, the adapted version is known as Parchís, and in Colombia as Parqués. These adaptations may differ in board design, number of tokens, and unique rules.
In many countries, the game is accompanied by local traditions — from jokes and lucky chants to complex regional rules, such as the mandatory knocking out of an opponent’s token when landing on the same space.
The core of the game remains the same; only the names and minor mechanics change. While the game has Indian roots, Western adaptations have significantly altered its gameplay and appearance, drifting away from the original Pachisi — a traditional board game played in India for centuries.
Moreover, Ludo has expanded not only westward but eastward as well. For example, it is very popular in Vietnam, where it is known as Cờ cá ngựa (“Game of the sea horses”), and in Chinese culture there is a similar game called 飞行棋 (“Flying chess”), in which tokens move across a cross-shaped board and can “fly” through special spaces.
Fun facts
- Ludo originates from the ancient Indian game Pachisi, which has a history of over 1,500 years. It was played during the Gupta Empire, around the 6th century AD. Carved stone game boards still preserved on the terraces of Agra Fort in India are evidence of its popularity.
- In the original version of the game, cowrie shells or special sticks were used instead of dice, thrown onto the ground. The number of upward-facing sides determined the number of moves.
- Emperor Akbar the Great (16th century, Mughal dynasty) loved Pachisi so much that he played it on a giant stone board with live tokens — servants who moved around the board in place of pieces.
- In some schools in India and Nigeria, Ludo is on the list of recommended recess activities.
- In some schools in Bangladesh and Pakistan, the game was temporarily banned because children argued over it or skipped classes to play.
Just one game is enough — and you’ll see: Ludo brings people together, entertains, and delivers genuine excitement, fun, and the thrill of victory!