Snakes and Ladders - A Brief History : eBay Guides

The ancient educational game of Moksha-Patamu, was used to teach moral behaviour in India. Of Hindu origin, it taught the players that virtuous behavior would aid your progression to Nirvana, but evil would make the journey difficult.

The ladders were placed on the squares of virtue, which on the original game were, Faith 12, Reliability 51, Generosity 57, Knowledge 76 and Asceticism 78.

The snakes were placed on the squares of evil and were, Disobedience 41, Vanity 44, Vulgarity 49, Theft 52, Lying 58, Drunkenness 62, Debt 69, Rage 84, Greed 92, Pride 95, Murder 73 and Lust 99.

The Victorians, with their interest in morality, took the game to their hearts and brought it to Britain, and it was published in England in 1892.

Renamed snakes and ladders, the game was very similar to the one found in India, but some of the vices and virtues were named according to the Victorian social mores of the day, Penitence, Thrift and Industry became virtuous behavior that elevated you through the game, whereas Indolence, Indulgence and Disobedience became the vices. They also equalised the numbers of snakes and ladders.

The game has remained a firm family favourite over the years with many themed variations available, though it has lost the original meaning.

There is now a wide variety of  sizes, from giant outdoor games, to cute little miniatures for dolls houses.