If India does have a claim on chess invention, its ancient elephant corps have a part to play

Sub: History

Sec : Art and culture

Context:

Gukesh D’s recent victory over Ding Liren, making him the youngest chess grandmaster and reigning world champion, has once again brought attention to India’s historical ties with chess.

Origins of Chess:

Most historians agree that chess originated in northwestern India around 600 A.D.
While some, like author Jean Louis Cazaux, dispute the Indian origins, evidence points to its spread from India → Persia → Arabs → Europe.
Ancient war elephants in Indian armies played a critical role in the evolution of the game.\

Chaturanga and Ashtapada:

Chaturanga:
- A term referring to both early chess and the four components of an Indian army: infantry, chariots, cavalry, and elephants.
- The romance Vasavadatta by Subandhu (late 6th or early 7th century A.D.) may have the first reference though it is not clear.
- Clear mention is found in early Indian texts such as the Harshacharita (7th century A.D.).
Ashtapada:
- A board with 64 squares, believed to have been the chessboard’s precursor.
Historical Evidence:
- According to G. Ferlito and A. Sanvito (Origins of Chess: Protochess, 400 B.C. to 400 A.D.):
  - Chaturanga likely emerged during 400 B.C. to 400 A.D.
  - The chess-like game spread through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.

Elephant Corps in Indian Warfare:

The use of elephants in war originated in India and is documented in ancient texts:
- Rig Veda, Ramayana, and Mahabharata (300 B.C.–300 A.D.).
- Indian armies had four divisions: infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants (chaturanga).
Greek Testimony:
- Alexander’s encounter with King Porus (326 B.C.) highlights Indian armies composed of 50,000 infantry, 1,000 chariots, 130 elephants, and 3,000 cavalry.
Decline of Chariots: Chariots fell out of military use by 400 A.D. and were entirely replaced by 700 A.D.

Journey of Chaturanga to Chess:

From Chaturanga to Persia (Chatrang):
- After the Hunas invaded India (5th–6th century), cultural exchange occurred between the Indian Maukhari Dynasty and the Persian Sassanid Empire.
- King Sharvavarman’s envoy from Kannauj introduced Chaturanga at the Persian court of Khosrow I.
The Challenge:
- The Indian envoy presented the game, challenging Persian scholars to understand its rules.
- Khosrow’s vizier successfully played and won, leading Kannauj to pay tribute to Persia.
From Persia to the Arabs (Shatranj):
- With the Arab conquest of Persia (642–651 A.D.), the game spread to the Rashidun Caliphate.
- The Arabs adapted the game, calling it Shatranj (as Arabic lacks ‘ch’ and ‘g’ sounds).
From Arabs to Europe (Chess):
- Shatranj traveled to North Africa and Muslim Spain.
- From Spain, it spread across Europe and evolved into modern chess.

Source: DTE