Shatranj
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Shatranj is an old form of chess, as played in the Sasanian Empire. Its origins lie in the Indian game of chaturanga. Modern chess gradually developed from this game, as it was introduced to Europe by
Two shatranj players in a detail from a Persian miniature painting of Bayasanghori Shahname made in 1430
Persian manuscript from the 14th century describing how an ambassador from India brought chess to the Persian court
Indian ambassador, probably sent by the Maukhari King Śarvavarman of Kannauj, introducing chess to the Persian court of Khosrow I
Antique North Indian Mughul shatranj chess set made from sandalwood
History of chess
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The history of chess can be traced back nearly 1,500 years to its earliest known predecessor, called chaturanga, in India; its prehistory is the subject of speculation. From India it spread to Persia,
Shatranj
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The 12th-century Lewis chessmen in the collection of the National Museum of Scotland
Krishna and Radha playing chaturanga on an 8×8 ashtāpada
These seven ivory chess pieces are the oldest known, dating to about 700 CE. The ivory came from India. They were excavated in 1977 by archaeologist Yuriy Buryakov, at Afrasiyab in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. They are housed today at the Samarkand State Museum. Photographed during a loan of the pieces to the Silk Roads Exhibition at the British Museum.