The origins of toys in India go back to the Indus Valley civilization, which flourished between 3300 and 1300 BCE. Archaeological evidence suggests that an umpteenth of toys have been discovered at different sites in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. During this time, clay figurines, dolls, and wheeled animals were made using locally available materials. In ancient India, toys played an important role, they carried religious and cultural significance. Wooden dolls and figurines were used in rituals and mythology. Through excavations, we also find intricately carved puppets and painted toys, adding layers of storytelling and tradition. The toys have stayed the same, while evolving in their sophistication. Even today, the children use rattles, balls, figurines and wheeled-toys, just that their materials have changed. Over time, the evolution of games blended creativity with purpose, creating objects for education as well as for entertainment.
Terracotta cart and bullocks, Indus Valley Civilization
Apart from archaeological records, the literary texts also mention numerous games fancied by the children as well as the adults. Here it is important to note that these games were not merely for leisure, these were more often than not a way to teach children about the importance of good deeds, and the karmic effect of the bad deeds. One of the most famous examples of ancient games from ancient India is the Pachisi or Chaupar , or the game of dice. This is similar to the present-day favourite past-time of every household in the Indian subcontinent - Ludo.
Another game mentioned in the Indian epic of Ramayana is Pallankuzhi, a two-row, seven-pit game from South India that is still a part of the culture. It is believed that goddess Sita played the game while in Ashoka Vana. The Mamallapuram Shore Temple also contains a four row inscription about the game. Unlike Pachisi or Chaupar, which are traditionally played by men, Pallankuzhi is a game common amongst the women.
Most kids today are fond of snakes and ladders. While the game might be new, the idea is not. The original snakes and ladders also known as Moksha Patamu, Paramapada Sopanapatam, Gyan Chaupar or Vaikuntapali, in ancient India, invented to teach the children about the benefits of good deeds and drawbacks of the bad ones. Each ladder represented good deeds such as kindness, humility, faith, and took the player forward in the game (and in the Karmic cycle). On the other hand, the bad deeds such as ego, jealousy, anger, hatred, were represented using snakes, and moved the player backward in the game (as well as the Karmic cycle). The game represented the journey of a soul towards the greater being. The last number represents salvation or Moksha.
Gyanbazi game from Gujarat/ Rajasthan, late 19th century. Source: Victoria and Albert Museum
While gambling today is illegal in most places, we know that it was prevalent in the Mauryan empire, as the rules for its regulation were mentioned by Kautilya. However, there is no mention of board games such as Pachisi during this period. It is possible that board games became a part of common life.
Everything that is part of the common life is incorporated into the art and culture of a region. The southern wall of cave number 14 of the Kailash temple, Ellora depicts Shiva and Parvati indulging in a board game. Another sculpture in cave number 16 depicts an argument between the divine couple about choosing the next game. Yet another depiction in cave number 21 shows Shiva persuading Parvati to play one more match. Similar sculptures portraying a game of dice between the couple can be found at numerous places, such as the Pataleshvara Temple, Malhar, Madhya Pradesh.
Chaturanga developed in the early 6th century CE, as a game incorporating four divisions of the army - the infantry, cavalry, elephant riders and the King and Queen. The game eventually evolved into the modern day Chess.
The 12th century text, Manasollasa, written by Someshvara III, includes five books, of which the fifth and the last one talks about different games along with their rules, such as backgammon. According to Micaela Soar, Backgammon developed in the Punjab region in 400 CE and eventually evolved into the present-day version of the game.
During the medieval period, there was an upsurge in toy-making techniques, terracotta and clay toys became more widespread. Toys were becoming more vibrant, decorated with intricate designs, and represented vehicles, animals and gods. Several new toys were introduced or reintroduced in Persianised forms in the sub-continent such as the card game of Ganjifa. The Mughals were fond of traditional Indian arts and crafts. While there are many miniature paintings that depict the board games and toys that were part of the culture, the most striking example is the Pachisi courtyard, built by Akbar in the Fatehpur Sikri.
Under British rule, there was a Western influence in Indian toy-making, new European designs and materials such as tin and plastic replaced the traditional clay toys. The introduction of British toys in India transformed the Indian toy industries, which have now become more Westernized. Today, the toy industry struggles to stay intact due to the influx of cheap, machine-made products from foreign countries. The rising consumerism, the need to have new products every few weeks have also impacted the long-lasting traditional products.
Toys and board games have played an important role in the cultural history of India. These games were not merely means of passing time, but were also used as a way to inculcate good habits in the children, teach them about their religion, their culture. Today, these games are a way of understanding our past.
Read more about the traditional toys of India here.
