A new report published by Mobile Premier League (MPL) shows that seven historic battlegrounds from five states have become gaming hotspots: Chittorgarh (Rajasthan), Panipat (Haryana), Kurukshetra (Haryana), Karnal (Haryana), Buxar (Bihar), Plassey (West Bengal), and Raichur (Karnataka).
These places are steeped in history, dating back more than five centuries. They are now thriving as mobile gaming destinations, reflecting the competitive spirit that runs deep among residents here.
Chittorgarh, among the historical cities, is among the top 10 places in Rajasthan to see a massive boom in gaming, registering a much higher growth rate than cities like Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Bikaner. The most popular game here is Ludo Dice, a digital version of the traditional family board game.
Panipat, and Kurukshetra in Haryana has also gained prominence. This ancient site continues to thrive even in today’s digital age—it ranks second in Haryana when it comes to mobile gaming, experiencing a 239% growth in mobile gamers in 2022 vs. 2021.
Panipat and Karnal are not far behind, outpacing the financial and tech hub of Gurgaon. The popular game Fruit Dart, in which players slice fruits to earn points, is enjoyed by gamers in Haryana.
Accompanying these modern-day battlegrounds is Plassey. Plassey has seen an increase in gaming higher than in over 400 towns and cities in the state. Its gaming growth rate is also on par with that of the larger and denser city of Kolkata. The most popular game in Plassey is the classic board game Snakes & Ladders on mobile.
The Battle of Buxar, which followed the famous Battle of Plassey, was fought between the British and the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor.
Mobile gaming trends in Buxar have followed a similar pattern to those in Plassey. While it is currently an agricultural region, mobile gaming has gained a strong foothold here. In terms of the number of mobile gamers, Buxar has seen higher growth than over 250 towns and cities in Bihar. Block Puzzle, where users have to position falling blocks in a pattern, is the number one game in Buxar.
In the south, Raichur in Karnataka stands out as a gaming hub. It is gaining recognition as a burgeoning gaming hub, growing at a faster pace than the state capital, Bengaluru. Raichur is also leading the way among places with similar populations like Channapatna, Hospet, and Bidar. The mobile version of the multiplayer board game, Carrom, is enjoyed by Raichurians.
In addition to the increase in the number of mobile gamers, the India Mobile Gaming Report also notes an increase in the diversity of the user base in these regions. In 2022, there were thousands of first-time female gamers.
These new mobile gaming destinations demonstrate how these cities have adapted and evolved over time, going from battlegrounds to hubs for modern leisure activities like mobile gaming.