Origin of Chess (Chaturanga)

The game of chaturanga emerged in northwest India during the Gupta Empire around 550-600 CE. The Sanskrit name refers to four military divisions—infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariotry—represented by pieces that evolved into modern pawns, knights, bishops, and rooks. This strategic board game introduced two key innovations: pieces possessed different powers, and victory required capturing a single piece (the king). The game spread to Persia as chatrang (later shatranj), then reached the Byzantine Empire, Arab world, and Europe, evolving into modern chess by the 16th century.