The Journey of Chaturanga

Did you know that the game of chess is supposed to have originated in India around 600 AD as per eminent historians?

·         The ashtapada (8x8 board) of             Chaturanga (the ancient forerunner to the modern chess) is mentioned in Harshacharita (Biography of emperor Harsha) composed by poet Banabhatta in Sanskrit in the 7th century.

 

·        Chatur and anga are Sanskrit names for four arms that are symbolic of the game of chess.

 

·        In its ancient usage, it was a game of strategy of the battlefield, the four arms representing chariots, cavalry, elephants, and infantry. In addition, there was a king and his minister. It was a game played like a situation of war.

 

·        There are sculptures where Lord Shiva and Parvati are seen playing a game like chess and Krishna and Radha enjoying a game of Chaturanga. (The National Museum in New Delhi also has a painting on this).

 

·        The game moved from India to Persia and became `Chatrang` and from there to the Arabic world as `Shatranj`.

 

·        Onwards to Europe and by the 15th century the modern version of Chess evolved.

 

·        The first World Chess Championship was held in the year 1886.

 

·        Today you can play chess with a computer!