Snakes and Ladders are undoubtedly one of the best board games in India. The game has been played by people across all age groups over the decades. Board games like Snakes and Ladders have been a pastime game or activity in every household over the last several years. When we talk about this game, it will take us down memory lane and everyone has treasured memories of playing Snakes and Ladders. In every household in India, there must be a Snakes and Ladders board. Though technology and the internet have taken over the traditional version of the game, the essence of Snakes and Ladders remains the game. But, what is the origin of the game and how it came into prominence?
Did you know that Snakes and Ladders have their roots and origins in India? The origins of the popular board game can be traced back to India. Sanke and Ladders game was originally known as Moksha Patamu, which means the path to liberation. Moksha Patamu was created as a children’s game by 13th-century poet Saint Gyandev. However, the origins of the Moksha Patama have always remained a matter of debate, with some scholars ascribing the invention of the game to Dnyaneshwar, 13th century Marathi saint. The game was designed to teach the children about the ups and downs of life, and how good deeds will give you rewards while bad deeds can lead to punishment. Moksha Patama was played on a board that had 100 squares, each with a specific number.
The original design of the game, which is Moskha Patamu, had Snakesss and ladders in it. The snakes represented vices or evil while the ladders represented virtues. When the player landed on a square with a ladder, then he/she would climb up to a higher square. This represents the reward for good deeds. Nonetheless, if a player landed on a square with a snake, then that player would slide down to the bottom square, representing the punishment for bad deeds. The game is played with dice and the first player to reach the 100th square would be declared the winner of the game.
In the 19th century, Snakes and Ladders became a quite popular board game and it began to spread across India and other parts of the world, including Europe and the United States. When the game was introduced to England, the Snakes and Ladders had undergone several changes in order to make it more interesting and modern in today’s world. The snakes were replaced with chutes while ladders became stairs. In the 20th century, Snakes and Ladders further became popular when they became a commercial product. The game’s design was changed again in order to make it more attractive to the children. Children in every household in India are taught to play Snakes and Ladders.
Today, Snakes and Ladders is one of the most popular games that is being played by people not just in India but across the world. Nowadays, the board games like Snakes and Ladders are being played online. Due to the advent of technology and the internet, the game has completely changed the way it is played before. Initially, people found it difficult to move to play online versions of Snakes and Ladders but they later adapted to it. There has been significant increase in the number of users playing Snakes and Ladders after the game was moved online. However, nothing can beat the traditional version of the Snakes and Ladders board game. Today, there are Snakes and Ladders online tournaments where you not just play the game but can win exciting prizes.
In conclusion, Overtime, there have been different versions of the Snakes and Ladders game and has become a popular game played by people across all age groups, from children to old age people. The ability to bring people together and have fun and exciting times is what makes the Snakes and Ladders one of the most beloved board games.
