India is home to several toy clusters and thousands of artisans who produce indigenous toys which not only have cultural connect but also help in developing psychomotor and other life skills among children. Our class III students as a part of their SEWA Project are exploring the Indian traditional toys and games. Learning about it will encourage the children to appreciate indigenous products and take pride in the Indian culture. Here are a few of the traditional games explored by our students:
CHAUPAD
Perhaps no other game is played in as many different variations all over India as Chaupad, one of the cross-and-circle games believed by many to be among the oldest games originating from India. In some forms, this game is known as Pachisi, derived from the Hindi word 'pachis,' meaning 25—the largest number that can be thrown by cowrie shells.
While the origins of this game remain unclear, some believe there is evidence of it being played as early as the fourth century. The Indian epic, the Mahabharata, makes reference to a dice game played by two clans, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Most depictions of this game resemble a board similar to Chaupad. In the south, it is often referred to as Chokattan, where the main variation involves using long dice instead of cowrie shells."
In the epic the game became a basis for gambling and caused untold misery. As a result the popularity of the game waned slightly. Over time, people grew to understand that it was not the game that was at fault. However, in many areas, people still begin the game by throwing the dice or cowrie shells once without moving the coins. This initial throw is believed to be for God.
Later evidence from the sixteenth century shows that Emperor Akbar played this game on great courts of inlaid marble. Brightly dressed women replaced the traditional coins.
Similar games are played in different parts of the world, and one can only speculate that they were exchanged along trade routes over the years. In India, this game is known by different names in various parts of the country, each version having its own special rules.
AADU PULI AATAM
Aadu Puli Aatam in Tamil Nadu, where Aadu means goat, Puli means tiger and Aatam means play.
Variations of this game, with different rules, boards, and various combinations of game pieces, are played in many places.
Keep an eye out for etchings of this board on the stone floors and walls at historic sites and temples. It is believed that, in the past, workmen and stray visitors carved these game boards to play and pass the time.
Two people can play this game: one person is the goat (defender), and the other is the tiger (challenger). The challenger has three tigers, while the defender has 15 goats.
The game involves concentration, skill, and strategy. It is interesting to note that, although the goat is the weaker animal, it can defeat the tiger when all the goats team up together.
DAHDI
This is an exciting twist to the popular 3-in-1 games played in India and across the world. Popularly known as Nine Men’s Morris, it is played in the UK and Europe. This version (called ‘Dahdi’ after the local name given to a set of three in a row) is commonly played in Andhra Pradesh.
Keep an eye out for etchings of this board on the stone floors and walls at historic sites and temples. It is believed that, in the past, workmen and stray visitors carved these game boards to play and pass the time.
This game is excellent for concentration and improves thinking and analytical skills.
ASHTAA CHEMMAA
Dice games of all kinds are popular in India. Variations of this one are played in many places. This version is traditionally played in Andhra Pradesh. The game means Eight (Ashtaa) and Four (Chemmaa).
While this is primarily a game of chance, it involves thinking and planning. It also helps in developing counting skills and is an interesting way to teach children the difference between clockwise and anti-clockwise in an era of digital clocks.
In this game, cowrie shell- shaped pieces are used in place of dice. Cowrie shells find diverse uses in India, ranging from decorative ornaments to clothing edging and are available naturally. Over the years, they have become a popular element in Indian games, frequently utilized as alternatives to traditional dice. Historical references even mention Emperor Akbar engaging in dice games using these shells.
CHATURANGA
The Sanskrit word ‘Chaturanga’ translates to ‘having four limbs or parts’, and in ancient Indian poetry, it was often used to describe an army. The word was first used in the Mahabharata, where it referred to the four divisions of an army: Elephantry, Cavalry, Chariotry and Infantry. This game is built on the idea of creating military strategy, much as how an army uses resources and reasoning to organise an attack.
The word ‘Chaturanga’ first appeared in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Ever since its emergence, this game has travelled across borders and has been interpreted in slightly different ways. It is the base of shatranj and modern-day chess.
PACHISI
Pachisi is a cross and circle board game that originated in ancient India. It is described in the ancient text of the Mahabharata under the name "Pasha". It is played on a board shaped like a symmetrical cross. A player's pieces move around the board based upon a throw of six or seven cowrie shells, with the number of shells resting with the aperture upward indicating the number of spaces to move.
The name of the game is derived from the Hindi word pacchīs, meaning ‘twenty-five’, the largest score that can be thrown with the cowrie shells; thus this game, is also known by the name ‘Twenty-Five’.
MOKSHA PATAM
The goal of the game is to reach Perfection, or Nir- vana—the highest place for a human being—which is at the top of the game board.
This is a shortened version of the classic game, designed to be played in 20 minutes by 2 or more players (more players make the game last longer).
PANCH KONE OR NAKSHATRA VILAYATTU OR NAV GOTI
Pancha kone is a popular Indian traditional game. You can find this game board engraved on ancient temples and monuments all over India. Pancha kone means five corners or five cones. It is played on a board with five-point stars painted on it. This is a strategy game that requires the player to move around the board and finally with a single piece. Chinese checkers is based on this game. It symbolises 5 elements – Earth, Wind,Fire, Water and Ether
PITHOO
Seven stones is a traditional game in India that is played across the country. It is an ancient game, also known as Lagori. It is somewhat similar to dodge ball, but it has extra features.
In order to play this stone game you need a ball, seven stones that can be piled on top of each other, a minimum of 2 to 4 players on each team
There can be any number of players for this game as long as each team has an equal number of players. The more players on each team, the greater the fun!
HOOP AND STICK
The thrill of rolling a cycle tyre along the road has long brought smiles of glee to young and old alike. There is always something magical about a wheel and how it rolls along.
COCONUT SHELL WALK
A coconut shell has so many uses, from the fleshy fruit to the liquid nectar to the leaves that provide thatched roofing for so many. The coconut shells have been used to make many different things but perhaps the most ingenious of them all is the Coconut Shell Walk.
GUTTE OR GITTHE
In the colourful alleys of Rajasthan the game of 5 stones is played with beautifully hand-crafted game pieces made of lac.
Five stones is a fun, simple game that you can play alone or with friends. All you need to play are 5 small items, traditionally stones. The object of the game is to complete a series of moves without dropping any of the stones. If you do drop the stones, don’t worry! While your turn is over, you can pick back up where you left off in your next turn.
GILLI DANDA OR TIP-CAT
Gilli Danda is a game played by using a stick and another flat piece of wood also called “Gilli”. It is a game somehow like cricket played mainly in villages. It was played between people of all age groups.
Gilli Danda is known by different names in different places(just like any other game) like:
Vitti dandu (Maharashtra), Kitti (Tamil Nadu), Gulli danda (Punjab), Tip-cat (England), Klipa (Poland), Konda kondi (Malaysia), etc.