With the Cricket World Cup finals today and the excitement surrounding Virat Kohli's record-breaking century, let's take a moment to delve into the captivating world of ancient games in India. Games have been an integral part of human civilization since ancient times, and India's rich history is no exception. From the Indus Valley to the Vijayanagara empire, games have played a significant role in courtly culture and even divine tales. Join me on a journey to explore the games that shaped history and continue to captivate us today.
Games in Ancient India: Tracing their Origins
Discover the earliest records of games in ancient India and their significance in the Indus Valley civilization.
Games have been an integral part of human civilization since ancient times, and India is no exception. The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest urban civilizations, provides us with fragments of possible boards used to play games. These artifacts give us a glimpse into the early origins of gaming in India.
The Indus Valley civilization was known for its advanced urban planning and sophisticated culture. The presence of gaming boards suggests that games were not only a form of entertainment but also held cultural and social significance.
Games in Courtly Culture: From Kamasutra to Manasollasa
Explore the role of games in courtly culture, from the Kamasutra's emphasis on gaming skills to the Manasollasa's detailed descriptions of various games.
In ancient India, skill at playing games was highly valued in courtly culture. The Kamasutra, a renowned text on love and relationships, includes a list of 64 arts that men must be familiar with to succeed in courting women. Among these arts is the mastery of board games.
The Manasollasa, a fascinating twelfth-century text by the Chalukya King Someshvara III, provides insights into courtly culture of that period. It dedicates a special section to games, describing various types such as swings and water games, word games, guessing games, drinking games, and board games like chess and backgammon.
One intriguing game mentioned in the Manasollasa is 'phanjika,' which involves throwing seven cowrie shells and using the resulting face-up and face-down shells to determine the movement of pawns. This game bears resemblance to the summer games we play today, showcasing the enduring nature of gaming.
Games of the Vijayanagara Empire: From Tiger-Lambs to Chess
Uncover the games played during the Vijayanagara empire, including the famous tiger-lambs game and the significance of chess in royal circles.
The temples and ruins of the Vijayanagara empire offer insights into the pastimes of people during that era. Among the games recovered from these sites is the famous tiger-lambs game, where one player controls the tiger and the other maneuvers the lambs. This strategic game involves the tiger attempting to 'eat up' the lambs, while the lambs aim to escape by moving strategically on the board.
While games like tiger-lambs were popular among the common people, chess held a special place in royal circles. Kings considered themselves too high and mighty for commonplace games, but they highly regarded chess as a game of intellect and strategy.
Chess, with its intricate moves and strategic gameplay, captured the attention of the royals and became a symbol of their intellectual prowess. The game continues to be cherished and played to this day, showcasing the lasting impact of ancient games.
Games in Divine Tales: From Dice Games to Divine Rivalries
Unveil the stories of divine tales involving games, from dice games played by mortal couples to divine rivalries between gods.
Games were not limited to mortals; even the divine beings engaged in playful competitions. Paintings and temple sculptures depict divine couples, such as Shiva and Parvati, playing dice games as a part of their courtship.
One intriguing tale from the Skanda Purana narrates the divine sage Narada coaxing Shiva and Parvati into playing a game of dice. The game takes an interesting turn as Parvati loses in the first round and has to give up her ornaments, while in the second round, she wins but Shiva refuses to part with his staked possessions.
This divine game of dice showcases the complexities of relationships and the dynamics between gods. It reminds us that even divine beings can be playful and competitive, just like us mortals.
