The History and Culture of Pachisi, the National Game of India
Parchisi: The National Game of India
Parchisi is a cross and circle board game that originated in ancient India. It is sometimes called the national game of India because of its popularity and cultural significance. Parchisi is a game of strategy, luck, and teamwork that can be played by two to four players. In this article, we will explore the origin, history, rules, variations, and benefits of this fascinating game. We will also give you some advice on how to play parchisi online or offline with your friends and family.
What is parchisi and how is it played?
Parchisi is a board game that is played on a symmetrical cross-shaped board with four arms. Each arm has three columns of eight squares, with the middle column being the main track. The center of the cross is the home square, where the pieces start and finish the game. Each player has four pieces of the same color, which are moved around the board according to the roll of dice or cowrie shells. The objective of the game is to move all four pieces from the home square to the center square before the other players.
parchisi
The origin and history of parchisi
Parchisi is derived from an ancient Indian game called pachisi, which means twenty-five in Hindi. Pachisi was first mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, which dates back to the 4th century BC. Pachisi was played by royalty and nobility on large cloth boards embroidered with silk and gold. The pieces were made of ivory, wood, or metal, and the dice were made of cowrie shells or nuts. Pachisi was also a popular pastime among the common people, who played it on smaller boards made of cloth or wood.
Pachisi spread to other parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe through trade and colonization. It was introduced to Britain in the 19th century by Sir John Malcolm, who brought a pachisi board from India. It was later adapted and commercialized by several game manufacturers under different names, such as Parcheesi in America, Ludo in Britain, Petits Chevaux in France, and Mensch ärgere Dich nicht in Germany.
The rules and variations of parchisi
The rules of parchisi vary depending on the region, culture, and version of the game. However, some basic rules are common to most variations:
Each player rolls one or two dice or cowrie shells to determine the number of spaces to move their pieces.
A player can only move a piece out of the home square with a roll of five or a combination that adds up to five.
A player can move one or two pieces per turn, depending on the roll. If a player rolls a double, they get another turn.
A player can capture an opponent's piece by landing on the same square as it, unless it is on a safe square marked with a star or a cross. A captured piece is sent back to the home square.
A player can form a block by placing two pieces on the same square. A block cannot be captured or passed by any piece.
A player can form a chain by placing three or more pieces on consecutive squares. A chain can be captured or passed by any piece.
A player can enter the center square only with an exact roll. A player wins when all four pieces reach the center square.
<h4 Parcheesi: The American adaptation of parchisi
Parcheesi is the most popular and well-known version of parchisi in America. It was first published by E.G. Selchow & Co. in 1867, and later by Parker Brothers in 1930. Parcheesi is played on a square board with four colored corners and a circular track around the edge. The board has 68 spaces, including 12 safe spaces and four home rows. The pieces are called pawns, and the dice are standard six-sided dice. Parcheesi has some additional rules and features, such as:
A player can move a pawn out of the home circle with any roll.
A player can move a pawn backward to capture an opponent's pawn or to enter the home row.
A player can use a special die called a "doubling cube" to double their roll or to challenge an opponent's roll.
A player can earn a bonus move by rolling doubles, capturing a pawn, or reaching the home square.
A player can form a "bridge" by placing two pawns on the same space. A bridge cannot be captured or passed by any pawn.
A player can form a "blockade" by placing two pawns on adjacent spaces. A blockade cannot be captured or passed by any pawn, except by a pawn that is moved backward.
Ludo: The simplified version of parchisi
Ludo is a simplified and modernized version of parchisi that originated in Britain in 1896. It is played on a square board with four colored sections and a cross-shaped track in the middle. The board has 52 spaces, including eight safe spaces and four home columns. The pieces are called tokens, and the dice are standard six-sided dice. Ludo has some simplified rules and features, such as:
A player can move a token out of the home base with a roll of six.
A player can move one or all tokens per turn, depending on the roll.
A player can capture an opponent's token by landing on the same space as it, unless it is on a safe space marked with a circle. A captured token is sent back to the home base.
A player can enter the home column only with an exact roll. A player wins when all four tokens reach the home triangle.
Other regional and international variants of parchisi
There are many other regional and international variants of parchisi that have different names, boards, pieces, dice, and rules. Some examples are:
NameRegionDescription
ChauparIndiaA traditional version of pachisi that uses a cloth board, cowrie shells, and beehive-shaped pieces.
ChausarIndiaA variation of chaupar that uses a square board, cowrie shells, and flat pieces.
ParchÃsSpainA version of parchisi that uses a square board, standard dice, and cone-shaped pieces.
ParquésColombiaA version of parchisi that uses a hexagonal board, standard dice, and wooden pieces.
BarjisSomaliaA version of parchisi that uses a circular board, cowrie shells, and camel-shaped pieces.
Ki nevet a végén?HungaryA version of ludo that uses a square board, standard dice, and animal-shaped pieces.
Mensch ärgere Dich nichtGermanyA version of ludo that uses a square board, standard dice, and round pieces.
KimbleFinlandA version of ludo that uses a pop-o-matic dice device instead of rolling dice by hand.
TroubleUSAA version of ludo that uses a pop-o-matic dice device and has some special spaces on the board.
Sorry!USAA version of ludo that uses cards instead of dice and has some special moves and powers.
Why is parchisi Why is parchisi a fun and engaging game?
Parchisi is not only a game of chance, but also a game of skill, strategy, and cooperation. It is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Here are some reasons why parchisi is a fun and engaging game:
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Parcheesi - American version of parchis
Pachisi - original Indian game of parchis
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How to play parchis - rules and tips
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Parchis vs Ludo - what's the difference?
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Parchis history - origins and variations of the game
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