Pachisi is a board game that originated in ancient India (4thC AD) and has been described as the national game of India. It is played on a board shaped like a symmetrical cross. The player’s beehive shaped counters move around the base on a throw of six cowrie shells. The number of shells landing with the mouth upward indicates the number of places to move. The name of the game comes from the Hindu word “pachis” which means 25. 25 is the highest score which can be thrown with the cowrie shells.  

The game is for 4 players playing in 2 teams. Each player has 4 counters in red, black, yellow or green. The aim is to get all the counters out from the centre of the cross (called the charkoni) and move them all around the board. Enemy counters can be captured and returned to the charkoni where they have to start again.

Pachisi is very similar to the Chinese game T’shu p’u and there are also western equivalents called Ludo and Parcheesi.

This board is hand sewn with embroidered designs in the squares. Notice the three crosses on each arm of the cross. These are castle squares – they represent a safe refuge where the counters cannot be captured by the enemy.

How to play Pachisi