14 Fascinating Ludo Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

We’ve all played Ludo as kids. The colorful board, the little prayers before rolling the dice, calling out ‘cheater,’ the happy dance when you win, and the shrieks of despair when you lose—all these memories live on as nostalgia in our minds. In recent years, Ludo has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to online versions of the game. Although playing the Ludo game online may not feel as personal as playing face-to-face, it offers the chance to connect and compete with friends, family, and Ludo players from all over the country. Ludo’s future looks bright, but did you know this strategic game has a fascinating history filled with intriguing facts? Let’s dive in and explore some Ludo facts we bet you didn’t know!

14 Interesting Facts About Ludo

Here are 14 interesting Ludo facts that we are sure you will love to know about:

1. Originated In India

Yes, that’s correct! Ludo originated in India. The game dates back to as early as the 6th century CE, meaning it has been played for around 2000 years! Back then, it wasn’t known as Ludo. Instead, it had various names like Chaupar, Chausar, Chopad, Pacheesi, and Pachisi. In different regions, the game is often misspelled as “Lodo,” “Loodo,”, “Lido”, or “Lodu.” You might ask how we know it was invented in India. Well, there is ample evidence over the centuries showing that our ancestors enjoyed gaming. One of the earliest visual depictions of the game is found on the walls of the Ellora caves in Maharashtra, showing a board game similar to Ludo.

Discover who invented Ludo, along with its history, origins, and variations.

2. Patent Rights Acquired by England

Ludo was patented in England in 1896 by Alfred Collier, who named his version “Royal Ludo.” Collier’s patent simplified the traditional Indian board game of Pachisi by introducing a cubic die and a dice cup, which minimized the chances of cheating. The patent gave Collier exclusive rights to the game, allowing him to commercialize it under the name Ludo. This development is a key part of Ludo culture, showcasing how the game evolved and integrated into different societies over time.

3. Online Ludo Is A Game Of Strategy, Not Luck

One of the interesting facts about Ludo is that while luck does influence the outcome, the key to winning lies in strategic planning. Skilled players meticulously plan their moves, anticipate their opponents’ strategies, and make the most of their dice rolls to gain an advantage. 

With online games like Ludo Ninja on Zupee, the role of luck in Ludo is minimized because players can see their upcoming moves and plan their strategies accordingly, making skill a more significant factor in achieving victory.

4. Adapted and Played Throughout the World

Ludo has been adapted and played worldwide, resulting in various regional versions. In India, it originated as Pachisi, while in the UK, it became known as Royal Ludo after Alfred Collier patented it in 1896. Spain has its version called Parchís, Colombia plays Parqués, and Vietnam has Cờ cá ngựa. Additionally, the British Royal Navy has a variant called Uckers, and in China, there’s Aeroplane Chess. 

5. The Meaning of Ludo

One interesting piece of Ludo trivia is the meaning behind its name. The word Ludo comes from the Latin word “Ludo,” which translates to “I play.” This name perfectly captures the essence of the game, emphasizing its nature as a playful and enjoyable pastime​. 

6. Evolution of Ludo Dice

One of the interesting Ludo game facts is the evolution of its dice. Originally, the ancient Indian game Pachisi used cowry shells and long dice called quaternary lots. Over time, this evolved into the cubic dice we use today, first introduced in the modern version of Ludo patented in England. In online Ludo, the traditional dice have been replaced with a digital version. While the function of the dice remains the same, rolling numbers from 1 to 6, the digital format allows for smoother gameplay and eliminates the possibility of physical manipulation or cheating. 

7. The Tale of Shakuni’s Rigged Dice

One of the most fascinating Ludo facts traces back to the Mahabharata.. Do you remember the game that the Kauravas and Pandavas played, leading to the great war? It was the Indian version of Ludo, known as Chaupar or Chopad.

Here’s a bit more Mahabharata trivia: Shakuni, the mastermind behind the game of dice, had a pair of magical dice that always rolled the numbers he wanted. The dice were made from his bones and were key to the Pandavas’ downfall.

Imagine if the Pandavas had fair Ludo dice! Unlike Shakuni’s rigged dice, modern Ludo ensures a fair game where everyone gets the same numbers, just in a different order, eliminating any chance of cheating.

8. Roots in the Harappan Civilization

It is believed that a game similar to Ludo was played during the Harappan period. Dice and counters were discovered during the excavation of the sites of Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Lothal. This might mean the game is as old as 2500 BCE. 

9. Akbar’s Life-Sized Ludo

One of the most intriguing facts about Ludo that you probably didn’t know is that Mughal emperor Akbar was a big fan of the game. Akbar didn’t just play it for fun; he used it to assess the skills and strategies of his men. Known as Pachisi or Chaupar in his era, the game wasn’t played on a typical board but on a life-sized board with real people as tokens! You can still see traces of these boards at Akbar’s palaces in Agra and Allahabad.

ML Rousselet, a French author, describes the scene in his book, ‘India and its Native Princes’:

“The game of Pachisi was played by Akbar in a regal manner. The court itself, divided into red and white squares, was the board, and an enormous stone, raised on four feet, represented the central point. It was here that Akbar and his courtiers played this game…”

10. The randomness of Ludo Dice

One of the most interesting facts about Ludo is the inherent randomness of Ludo dice rolls. This randomness adds an element of chance to the game, ensuring that no two games are ever the same and keeping the gameplay exciting and unpredictable.

11. Taught in Business Schools

Ludo has always been a global sensation, but in the recent past, it has become more than that. Not only does the whole world play and enjoy this seemingly simple game, but it is being taught in business schools as a game of strategy. Now, this is one of the Ludo facts we bet you were not aware of!

12. Influenced Bollywood

Ludo is so popular in India that it even inspired a movie called Ludo directed by Anurag Basu. The film follows four different stories that all come together in the end, just like the way the four houses in the game all meet in the center. Cool Ludo trivia, isn’t it?

13. Opposite numbers equal 7

Here’s a fun Ludo game fact for you! Grab a dice if you have one nearby. Now choose a side and remember the number. Now, turn the dice around to the exact opposite side and remember this number, too. Now add both up. It is 7, isn’t it? Well, the secret is all opposite side values on dice will add up to 7! Bet you didn’t notice that before!

14. You Can Instantly Play Ludo Online on Zupee

Undoubtedly, Ludo is a game best enjoyed with friends and family, but finding time to play together can be challenging with everyone’s busy schedules and distance. That’s where Zupee comes in. With Zupee, you can easily play the Ludo game online with friends.

Just click the Ludo download button and choose between free and paid games to win cash prizes. Zupee offers four exciting variations: Turbo Speed Ludo, Ludo Supreme League, Ludo Supreme, and Ludo Ninja. Each game is under 10 minutes, and you even have a chance to win real cash prizes up to Rs. 10 Lakhs.

Discover How to Play Ludo on Zupee!

FAQs About Ludo Facts