Do you remember those childhood games you played stuck inside on rainy afternoons? Well, those have made a comeback, and how! This blog will guide you to explore 5 orthodox Indian games that have transitioned to digital.
The traditional games of India are coming back in a new outlook, in digital form. These traditional games in India have been a medium of entertainment for long periods. Now, as digital transformation is taking over everything, these games have also found their digital identity. All these games are now available for playing on smartphones. Here are some traditional Indian games that have gone digital:
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- Rummy Card Game
- Pachisi, which has been modernized to Ludo
- Gilli Danda, which has transformed into Cricket
- Chaturanga, which was the earlier form of Chess
- Bagh Chal, or the older version of Tiger and Goat
With the evolution of gaming in India, the digitization opportunities have presented gamers with a plethora of modern games with advanced dynamics and fun gameplay. However, the fun and nostalgia of traditional games can be relived with the help of smartphones as these games are making a comeback for modern gamers.
But why would traditional games even matter today? Let’s find out now.
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Why Traditional Games Matter Today
Traditional Indian games have been in the hearts of Indians for hundreds of years. Many games that are now globally popular have been discovered in India because of its ability to capture the mind. Here is why traditional games matter today:
Connected to Heritage
The traditional Indian games have a link to the past, which reflects the cultural values and beliefs. Through the traditional games, young players are made aware about their cultural roots and the history behind the games.
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Emotional Nostalgia Factor
Many of the ancient games were played by players in their childhood. Watching the games, making a comeback in digital form, triggers nostalgia. Plus, these games teach coordination and help in creating social bonding, which elevates emotional growth.
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Here are the top 5 traditional Indian games that have made a comeback as a digitized version:
1. Rummy Card Game – A23 Rummy
Rummy is a typical card game that is very popular in India because of its long-standing history and presence. The game has been a part of India’s cultural backdrop, as rummy is commonly played in Indian get-togethers or marriages when relatives, friends, and families play this game together.
Rummy has now evolved from paper cards to online. Different online platforms like A23 Rummy provide different types of rummy variations. Here is why the A23 Rummy is becoming so popular among players:
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Real-time Online Games With Real Opponents
In the traditional gameplay of rummy card games, 2 to 6 players are required who use to play with real cards. With the digitalized edition, A23 Rummy game offers real-time rummy multiplayer. This way, players can play with real players across the world competitively. Furthermore, they can also check how they have been performing by looking at the online leaderboard.
Wide Range of Games
A23 Rummy provides different types of rummy games like points rummy, Indian rummy with 13-card and 21-card variants, Canasta rummy, and pool rummy. The wide variety of games has been essential in delivering optimal gameplay for the players.
2. Pachissi – Ludo King
Pachissi is the ancient version of Ludo, which is very popular as an indoor game in India. Here is the history of Pachissi and how it transitioned from Pachissi to Ludo:
The History of Pachissi
The game is believed to have originated in India during the 4th century AD. Therefore, it travelled to England during the 1860s and then it spread across Europe later. In the late 1890s, Ludo was conceived in England, which is an evolved version of Parcheesi.
The Digital Versions of Ludo
As digitization hits the gaming industry, access to games becomes easier with the implications of smartphones. Different games like Ludo King have been available for playing on mobile. The game works because of the multiplayer features, where multiple players located in different locations can play ludo together.
The user interface of the online Ludo games like ‘Ludo Kings’ is very easy to understand. Besides, one of the main reasons behind the popularity of Ludo is its simple gameplay mechanics, which are understood by almost everyone.
3. Gilli Danda – Real Cricket 24
Gilli Danda’s early history dates back to 2500 years ago in India. A very primitive edition of modern-day cricket, Gilli danda is one of the older games in India, which has crossed the border of the subcontinent. Now, cricket is one of the most famous sports in India and globally.
Digital Version of the Game
Many mobile video game publishers have created different types of cricket games which have almost similar features to cricket. Real Cricket 24, published by Nautilus Mobile, is one of the most popular cricket games that brings back the nostalgia of playing cricket.
Why it Works
Cricket is fun, nostalgic, and has a reflex-based gameplay that resonates with the feeling of the traditional Gilli Danda game.
4. Chaturanga – Chess- Play and Learn
A globally acclaimed and appreciated game, Chess is widely popular because of its strategic gameplay mechanism. However, did you know that it originated in India? It was originally known as Chaturanga, which was the ancient precursor of modern chess. India has now gained increased prominence in Chess as the country has 85 Chess Grandmasters, dominating the global scene.
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Historical Importance of Chaturanga
The game came into existence 1500 years ago, during the reign of the Gupta Dynasty. The game came into prominence in the 6th century. It is played into four factions: infantry, cavalry, chariotry and elephantry, which clarifies the meaning of the name, ‘Chaturanga’.
Modern Version Chess: Chess-Play and Learn
Many chess-based games are popular in India. However, the game, ‘Chess-Play and Learn’, developed by Chess.com, has been a staple game for learning and playing chess. The strategic depth of the game is unmatched, and it is widely popular among Indian and foreign players.
5. Bagh Chal – Tiger and Goats
Bagh Chal, or the Tiger and Goats, is one of the most traditional games played in India, which has its roots back in Nepal.
History of the Game
Considered Nepal’s national game, BaghChal is believed to have originated in the Himalayan region. The tradition was started by the Himalayan shepherds and it has been played for more than a thousand years.
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Digital Adaptation: BaghChal- Tigers and Goats
Following the digitalization of games, this game has also made a comeback, with the help of the BaghChal mobile app-Tigers and Goats, published by TechnoGuff. The game is popular among players because of its simple, turn-based gameplay and its deeper cultural roots.
To Summarize
From Pachisi to Bagh Chal, the ancient Indian games have come a long way, considering the changes that digitization has brought. The presence of these games online makes the player nostalgic and intuitive to play the game again.
Try Playing a Traditional Game in Its Digitalized Version!
Miss playing your favourite childhood game? Try one of these games on your smartphone to experience and relive the nostalgia, which is also deeply rooted in culture and India’s heritage.
