Indian Game on a Cruciform Board: Chausar

The game is Chausar (also spelled Chaupar, Chopat, Pasu) — an ancient Indian race game played on a cruciform (cross-shaped) board.

Key Details

• Origin: India, ~2000+ years ago; mentioned in Mahabharata (dice game triggering the great war).
• Board: Cloth or wood; cross shape with 4 arms (each 8×3 squares), center square (Charkoni).
• Pieces: 4 per player (16 total), distinct colors.
• Dice: Traditionally 3 long dice (Kauri sticks) or 6 cowrie shells; modern uses 2 cubic dice.
• Goal: Move all 4 pieces from start, around board, into center (Charkoni) by exact count.
• Mechanics: Capture (send opponent home), safe squares (castles), doubles grant extra turn, blockade (2+ own pieces).

Relatives

• Pachisi — "National game of India"; same cross board, 4 players, partnerships, cowrie shells. Mughal emperors played on life-sized courts.
• Ludo — Simplified Western derivative (1896 patent).
• Parcheesi — US commercial version of Pachisi.

Cultural Significance

Chausar/Pachisi was a court game of strategy and chance, symbolizing karma and destiny. The Mahabharata's pivotal dice match (Yudhishthira vs. Shakuni) is a Chausar game.