What is persian backgammon? 

Have you heard anything about this game? Of course, all of us are more or less familiar with this beautiful and exciting game. It can even be said that it is one of the most popular games for the people of the world, especially for Iranians, during their free time. This attractive and exciting game is one of our best options to have a good time with friends and family. The backgammon game, which is usually known as a game of thought, method, planning, counting and luck, is not only among the people of Iran, but also among the people of other countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

 In general, this game has various names such as backgammon , backgammon, lion backgammon, backgammon, or backgammon . The number of players in this game is 2 and usually this game lasts for 5 to 60 minutes. As mentioned, among the necessary skills for playing backgammon, we can mention the skill of planning, method and counting, and luck. It will be impossible to win this game without having a special technique and unplanned moves, although the effect of luck in this game should not be ignored. But the topic that we will discuss in the following is the history of the origin and philosophy of this game.

persian backgammon history

Examining the history of this popular game is the first step to know it better. This game dates back to about 2000 years ago. From the beginning, this old game has 30 pieces and 2 dice, all of which are placed in a box with a picture of a snake. The oldest version of this mysterious game was found in the burnt city. According to the available and reliable documents, the backgammon board was invented and invented during the Sassanid era and the Ardeshir kingdom, the founder of the Sassanid dynasty, by Bozormehr, a clever vizier, and named after that era.

It may seem strange, but this game is the result of a conflict between the two kings of India and Iran. The interesting and fascinating story of the origin of this game is, in short, that first the great Diversam, the king of India, to measure the wisdom and knowledge of Iranians and also to prove the superiority of chess that was invented by Indians, a chess board with pieces of ruby ​​and emerald as well as He sent a letter to the king of Iran. The content of this letter included a request for submission and also a comparison between the sages and elders of the two countries. Backgammon or Wayne Ardeshir is a game that was invented by Bozorgmehr and ordered by the king of Iran. By inventing this game, the king of Iran somehow proved the superiority of wisdom and knowledge of Iranians.

 iran handicrafts | khatam backgammon

persian backgammon philosophy

Now it’s time to explore the beautiful, rich, instructive and astonishing philosophy of this game. In other words, it can be said that the creation of a game with such a philosophy is one of the wonders of the world. Because this game is the only game that was invented based on the life and belief of man in that era (Zoroastrianism). In backgammon philosophy, the game board is the planet, the inner game board is the sky, the dice are the people, the dice are luck, 30 dice are 30 day and night, 24 houses are 24 hours in the day and night, 4 parts of the game board. to 4 seasons of the year, 5 games to 5 times of a day and night, two colors black and white to night and day, 12 houses on each side of the earth to 12 months of the year, the rotation of dice to the rotation of days, the rotation and movement of dice on the ground It is likened to human life and removing the pieces at the end of the game is death. Also, the philosophy and secrets of dice numbers are as follows:

• 1: Oneness and godliness ( Ahura Mazda sign)
• 2: Goodness and evil (Angreh Minyu (devil) and Sepenta Minyu (life force and embodiment of goodness and light))
• 3: Good thoughts, good words and good deeds
• 4: In some sources it indicates the four elements of creation (water, wind, earth and fire) and some other sources indicate the four main directions (Abakhtar (North), Nimroz (South), Khawar (East), Bakhtar (West)).
• 5: The five signs of the sun (sun, moon, star, fire and thunder)
• 6: Six times or six days of creation

Getting to know the history and philosophy of backgammon is enough to make us interested in it. Playing with such a special and educational philosophy definitely brings intellectual development, planning training, etc. in addition to entertainment.

persian backgammon story in Shahnameh

Do you know the story of backgammon according to Shahnameh   ? Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh is one of the famous epic books of Iran and the world. A book dedicated to 30 years of Ferdowsi’s life. The Shahnameh is not only a literary and epic work, but because of its historical background, it is also of great interest to historians. Stay with backgammon hut.

The backgammon story narrated by Shahnameh is short but beautifully depicted. The game of backgammon and chess was a soft competition between the two countries of Iran and India.

Many old stories can be seen in Shahnameh; Some of them are exaggerations and some are closer to the original historical events. One of the historical and interesting stories is the backgammon story narrated by Shahnameh   . According to this story, the backgammon game was started because of the dispute between the two countries; A competition that started with the game of chess and ended with the invention of backgammon by Iranians.

The story of backgammon and chess is a soft war or in other words a debate of intelligence and knowledge between the two countries of Iran and India. Ferdowsi narrates the story like this.

Mobad said that one day the king will come to Rumi Diba

All the palaces of Mobad and Marzban from Balkh, Bamiin and Karzban

Shah Jahan found such an ad because of the detectives’ wake-up speech

who came and sent the king of India Aba Peel and Chater and the riders of Sindh

The barest camel traveled a thousand ways to Shahriar with him

As soon as you hear that, Shah Pazire woke up and sent some troops .persian backgammon