15 Traditional Games of India
Some of the traditional games that have been played for generations are listed below.
1. Gilli Danda:
Gilli Danda is a traditional Indian game that is played with two main objects: a "gilli" (a small wooden stick) and a "danda" (a larger wooden stick). Here's how it's played:
Equipment Setup: Find an open space with firm ground. Draw a circle on the ground (about 1 foot in diameter) using chalk or make a small hole in the ground. This is the "home" circle.
Game Setup: One player (the striker) places the gilli on the ground inside the circle. The striker then uses the danda to hit the gilli in such a way that it flips into the air.
Gameplay: The striker hits the gilli with the danda when it's in the air, trying to hit it as far as possible. While the gilli is in the air, the striker must hit it cleanly; if it's hit outside the circle, it doesn't count.
Scoring: The distance the gilli travels is measured from the center of the home circle to the spot where it lands. Each player takes turns being the striker, and the player with the longest distances wins.
Fielding: Other players (fielders) try to catch the gilli or retrieve it quickly to prevent the striker from scoring more points. If a fielder catches the gilli in the air, the striker is out.
Winning: The game can be played for a set number of rounds or until a player reaches a predetermined score. The player with the most points at the end wins.
Gilli Danda requires skill, precision, and timing, making it a challenging and fun game for players of all ages.
2. Kabaddi:
Setup:
The game is played on a rectangular court, which is divided into two halves by a centerline.
Each team consists of seven players, with three additional players as substitutes. The game is played for two halves, typically of 20 minutes each, with a break of five minutes between halves.
Gameplay:
Raid: A player from the attacking team, known as the "raider," enters the opponent's half to tag defenders and score points. The raider must continuously chant the word "kabaddi" to show that they are not inhaling.
Tagging: The raider can earn points by tagging one or more defenders and returning safely to their half before being tackled.
Defending: The defenders, known as "stoppers" or "antis," try to tackle the raider and prevent them from returning to their half. The defenders must hold the raider until the raider runs out of breath and inhales or steps out of the boundary lines.
Points:
If the raider successfully tags one or more defenders and returns to their half, their team earns points for each defender tagged.
If the defenders successfully hold the raider until they inhale or step out of bounds, the defending team earns a point.
Bonus points are awarded to the raiding team if they manage to tag all seven defenders without getting caught.
Out:
A raider is declared "out" if they are tackled and held by the defenders.
If a defender crosses the centerline into the opponent's half, they are considered out.
If a raider fails to tag any defender and return safely to their half within a specified time (usually around 30 seconds), they are out.
Winning: The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
3. Pitthu (Lagori):
Pitthu, also known as Lagori, is a traditional Indian game played with a ball and a pile of flat stones or pieces. It is typically played outdoors and requires agility, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The primary objective of Pitthu is to knock down a pile of stones or pieces and then rebuild the pile while the opposing team tries to hit players with the ball.
Setup:
Two teams are formed, each with an equal number of players. The playing area is typically a rectangular space with enough room for players to move around freely.
A pile of seven stones or pieces is stacked on top of each other in the center of the playing area.
One team starts as the "attacking" team, and the other team is the "defending" team.
Gameplay:
Knocking Down the Pile: The attacking team tries to knock down the pile of stones or pieces by throwing the ball at it. Players of the attacking team take turns throwing the ball at the pile from a designated throwing line. They aim to knock down the pile while the defending team tries to prevent this by catching the ball or the stones/pieces that fall.
Rebuilding the Pile: Once the pile is knocked down, the attacking team must quickly rebuild the pile while the defending team retrieves the ball. The attacking team must rebuild the pile using only one hand and without moving from their spot. If they succeed, they score a point.
Defending and Countering: The defending team can try to hit players of the attacking team with the ball to eliminate them. If a player is hit by the ball, they are out and must sit out until the next round.
Winning: The game is played for a predetermined number of rounds or until one team reaches a set number of points. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Pitthu/Lagori is a fast-paced and exciting game that promotes teamwork, coordination, and physical activity. It is popular among children and is often played in schools and communities across India.
4. Chhupan Chhupai (Hide and Seek):
Chhupan Chhupai, also known as Hide and Seek, is a classic children's game played worldwide, including in India. The game is simple yet exciting, involving hiding and seeking players. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The main objective of Chhupan Chhupai is for the seeker to find and tag the hiding players, while the hiders try to remain hidden until the end of the game.
Setup:
A group of players is needed, usually at least three or more.
A playing area is designated, which could be indoors or outdoors, with plenty of hiding spots.
Gameplay:
Choosing the Seeker: One player is chosen as the seeker, either voluntarily or through a random selection method like counting out or drawing straws.
Counting and Hiding: The seeker covers their eyes and counts aloud to a predetermined number (often 10 or 20), facing a wall or a designated spot. While the seeker counts, the other players scatter and hide in various spots within the playing area.
Seeking: After counting, the seeker begins to search for the hiding players. The seeker must find and tag the hiding players while they try to remain hidden.
Tagging and Calling Out: When the seeker finds a hiding player, they must tag them and call out "Chhupan Chhupai!" (meaning "I found you!" in Hindi) to signify that the player has been found.
The found player then joins the seeker in finding the remaining players.
End of Game: The game ends when all the hiding players have been found and tagged. The first player found in the game is often the seeker for the next round, but this can be decided based on the players' preference.
Variations: In some variations, there may be safe zones where players cannot be tagged, providing a temporary refuge. Players may have to return to a designated spot (like "home base") after being tagged before they can resume hiding in subsequent rounds. Chhupan Chhupai is a fun and engaging game that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and physical activity, making it a favorite among children and families in India and beyond.
5. Kho Kho:
Kho Kho is a traditional Indian sport that is popular in South Asia, particularly in India. It is a team game that requires speed, agility, and teamwork. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The main objective of Kho Kho is for the chasing team to tag all the players of the opposing team in the shortest possible time, while the defending team tries to avoid being tagged.
Setup:
Kho Kho is typically played on a rectangular field that is around 29 meters long and 16 meters wide, with two rectangles at either end called "boxes."
Each team consists of 12 players, but only 9 players take the field during a match, with 3 players in each box at the start.
Gameplay:
Toss and Chasing Team Selection: Before the game starts, a coin is tossed to decide which team will chase first. The chasing team is known as the "chasers," and the other team is the "runners."
Chasing and Dodging: The chasers try to tag the runners by touching them with their hands. The runners try to avoid being tagged by dodging and using speed and agility to outrun the chasers.
Turning the Player: When a chaser tags a runner, the runner must leave the field and is replaced by a player from the box at the opposite end. To indicate that they have been tagged, the runner touches hands with the chaser who tagged them.
Strategy and Communication: The chasers need to communicate and strategize to trap the runners effectively, while the runners need to coordinate to evade the chasers. Runners can also help each other by alerting teammates about the positions of the chasers.
Time Limit: The chasing team has a time limit (usually 9 minutes) to tag all the runners. If they fail to do so, the teams switch roles, and the runners become the chasers.
Winning: The team that tags all the players of the opposing team in the shortest time wins the game. Points are awarded based on the time taken to tag all the runners, and the team with the highest total points at the end of the match wins.
Kho Kho is a fast-paced and exciting game that promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and strategic thinking. It is a popular sport in India and is often played in schools, colleges, and community settings.
6. Chor Police (Cops and Robbers):
Chor Police, also known as Cops and Robbers, is a classic children's game that is played worldwide, including in India. It involves two teams, with one team playing the role of "cops" and the other team playing the role of "robbers." Here's how it's played:
Objective: The main objective of Chor Police is for the cops to catch all the robbers, while the robbers try to avoid being caught and can also free their caught teammates.
Setup:
Two teams are formed, with one team playing as the cops and the other as the robbers.
The playing area is designated, which could be indoors or outdoors, with plenty of hiding spots for the robbers to hide.
Gameplay:
Role Assignment: The teams decide who will be the cops and who will be the robbers. The cops wear a distinguishing mark or badge to identify them, while the robbers do not.
Chasing and Tagging: The game begins with the cops trying to catch the robbers. The cops chase the robbers and try to tag them by touching them with their hands. Once a robber is tagged, they are "caught" and must go to a designated "jail" area.
Jail and Rescuing: The jail is typically a designated spot where the caught robbers must stay. A caught robber can be freed if a free robber touches them without being tagged by a cop. The game continues until all the robbers are caught, or a predetermined time limit is reached.
Winning: If all the robbers are caught, the cops win. If any robbers remain free when the time limit is reached, the robbers win.
Variations: Some variations of the game may include special abilities or rules for certain players, such as a "king robber" who can free all the jailed robbers by touching them. Players can also create obstacles or challenges within the playing area to make the game more interesting.
Chor Police is a fun and engaging game that promotes physical activity, teamwork, and strategy, making it a favorite among children and families in India and around the world.
7. Marbles (Kanche):
Objective: The main objective of Marbles is to knock out as many marbles from the playing area as possible and collect them.
Setup:
A circle is drawn on the ground, and several marbles are placed inside the circle, forming a smaller circle within the larger circle.
Each player contributes an equal number of marbles to the central circle.
Gameplay:
Deciding the Order: Players decide the order of play, often by tossing a marble towards a target and determining the order based on proximity to the target. The player closest to the target goes first, followed by the others in order.
Shooting Marbles: The first player uses a larger marble, called a "shooter," to try to knock out marbles from the central circle. The shooter marble is placed on the ground outside the circle, and the player flicks it with their thumb or index finger to hit the marbles inside the circle.
Scoring: If the player knocks out any marbles from the circle, they get to keep those marbles. The player continues shooting until they fail to knock out any marbles or commit a foul.
Fouls and Penalties: A foul occurs if the shooter marble is touched by the player's hand or if the shooter goes out of bounds. If a player commits a foul, their turn ends, and they must return any marbles they won on that turn to the central circle.
Winning: The game continues with each player taking turns shooting until all the marbles have been knocked out of the central circle. The player with the most marbles at the end of the game wins.
Marbles (Kanche) is a simple yet entertaining game that requires skill, precision, and strategy. It is often played by children in India and other parts of the world, and variations of the game exist with different rules and objectives.
8. Lattoo (Spinning Top):
Lattoo, or spinning top, is a traditional Indian game that involves spinning a wooden or metal top and keeping it spinning for as long as possible. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The main objective of Lattoo is to spin the top and keep it spinning the longest.
Setup:
Each player has their own spinning top, which is typically made of wood or metal.
A flat, open area is needed for playing, with enough space to spin the top without it hitting obstacles.
Gameplay:
Preparing the Top: Players prepare their tops by winding a string around the top's stem, leaving a tail of string that they will use to spin the top.
Spinning the Top: To spin the top, the player holds the tail of the string and wraps it around the top's stem. The player then pulls the string sharply to make the top spin on the ground.
Keeping the Top Spinning: Once the top is spinning, the player uses small movements of the string to keep it spinning. The player can also gently tap the top to keep it stable and prevent it from falling over.
Challenges and Techniques: Players can compete to see who can keep their top spinning the longest.
Advanced players may use different techniques to keep the top spinning, such as adjusting the tension of the string or using their fingers to guide the top's movement.
Winning: The player whose top spins the longest without falling over is the winner.
Lattoo is a game that requires skill, patience, and practice. It is often played by children in India and is a popular pastime that has been enjoyed for generations.
9. Langdi:
Objective: The main objective of Langdi is for the chasing team to tag all the players of the opposing team while hopping on one leg, without losing balance, and within a certain time limit.
Setup:
Langdi is typically played in a rectangular field or open area with enough space for players to move around freely.
Two teams are formed, with an equal number of players on each team.
Gameplay:
Choosing the Langdi: One player is chosen as the "Langdi" or the chaser from one team, and the other team becomes the "langde" or the runners.
Hopping on One Leg: The Langdi hops on one leg while chasing the runners. They must maintain balance on one leg throughout the game. If the Langdi loses balance and touches the ground with both legs, they must return to the starting point.
Tagging the Runners: The Langdi tries to tag the runners by touching them with their hand while hopping on one leg. The runners try to avoid being tagged by dodging and running away from the Langdi.
Catching the Runners: If a runner is tagged by the Langdi, they are out and must sit out until the next round. The game continues until all the runners are caught or a predetermined time limit is reached.
Winning: The team that tags all the players of the opposing team in the shortest time wins the game.
Langdi is a fun and challenging game that promotes physical fitness, balance, and teamwork. It is often played in rural areas and is a popular pastime among children in India.
10. Kite Flying:
Kite flying, also known as "patangbazi" or "uttarayan," is a popular pastime in India, especially during festivals like Makar Sankranti. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The main objective of kite flying is to fly a kite and cut down other kites using a special abrasive-coated string called "manja."
Setup:
A kite is made by attaching paper or fabric to a frame made of bamboo or other lightweight material.
The kite is attached to a string, which is coated with a mixture of glue and finely powdered glass called "manja."
Gameplay:
Flying the Kite: The kite is flown by letting out the string and allowing the wind to lift it into the air.
The person flying the kite controls its movements by gently tugging on the string.
Cutting Down Kites: The objective of kite fighting is to cut down other kites in the sky.
To do this, the player maneuvers their kite to cross the path of another kite's string, causing the abrasive manja to cut through the opponent's string.
Protecting the Kite: Players must also be careful to protect their own kite from being cut down by avoiding other kites' strings and maneuvering skillfully.
Winning: The player who successfully cuts down the most kites or keeps their kite flying the longest is considered the winner.
Safety: Kite flying can be dangerous, especially if the manja comes into contact with people or animals. It's important to fly kites in open areas away from power lines and to use caution when handling the abrasive string.
Kite flying is not just a game but also a cultural tradition in India, symbolizing the transition of the sun into the northern hemisphere and the arrival of longer days. It is a joyful activity that brings people together and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
11. Pallanguzhi:
Pallanguzhi is a traditional board game from Tamil Nadu, India, played with a wooden board and shells or seeds. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The objective of Pallanguzhi is to collect more shells or seeds (called "kazhugu") than your opponent.
Setup:
The Pallanguzhi board has 14 cups (or "houses") and two large cups at either end (called "bank" or "store") for each player.
Each of the 14 cups starts with a certain number of shells or seeds (usually 7).
Gameplay:
Starting the Game: Players sit opposite each other, with the board placed horizontally between them.
The game starts with one player picking up all the seeds from any one of their cups and distributing them in a counter-clockwise direction, one seed in each cup, including their own "bank" but not the opponent's.
Sowing Seeds: Players take turns picking up the seeds from one of their cups and distributing them in a counter-clockwise direction, one seed in each cup. If the last seed is placed in an empty cup on the player's side, they capture that seed and all the seeds in the cup directly opposite on the opponent's side, placing them in their "bank."
Capturing Seeds: If a player's last seed lands in their own "bank," they get another turn. If a player's last seed lands in an empty cup on their side, and the opposite cup has seeds, they capture those seeds and place them in their "bank."
Winning: The game continues until all the cups on one player's side are empty. The player who has collected the most seeds in their "bank" wins the game.
Pallanguzhi is not just a game of strategy but also a game that requires mathematical skills, as players need to keep track of the number of seeds in each cup and plan their moves accordingly. It is a game that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is often played in homes and villages in Tamil Nadu.
12. Aadu Puli Aattam:
Aadu Puli Aattam, also known as Goat and Tiger Game, is a traditional board game from Tamil Nadu, India. It is a two-player strategy game that is similar to the Western game of Fox and Geese. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The objective of Aadu Puli Aattam is different for each player. The player controlling the tigers aims to capture the goats, while the player controlling the goats aims to trap the tigers.
Setup:
The game is played on a board with a grid of 3x3 squares, with lines connecting the squares.
One player controls three tigers, which start on one side of the board.
The other player controls 15 goats, which start on the other side of the board.
Gameplay:
Placing Tigers: The player controlling the tigers places their tigers on any three vacant intersections on their side of the board.
Moving Tigers: Tigers can move along the lines to adjacent intersections. Tigers can capture goats by jumping over them to an empty space immediately beyond them, similar to checkers.
Placing Goats: The player controlling the goats places one goat on any vacant intersection on their turn.
Moving Goats: Goats can move to an adjacent empty intersection along the lines. Goats cannot jump over tigers or other goats.
Capturing and Trapping: Tigers capture goats by jumping over them. Goats try to trap tigers by surrounding them so they cannot move.
Winning: The player controlling the tigers wins by capturing all the goats or by putting them in a position where they cannot move. The player controlling the goats wins by trapping the tigers so they cannot move.
Aadu Puli Aattam is a game that requires strategic thinking and planning ahead. It is a game that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is often played in homes and villages in Tamil Nadu.
13. Ashta Chamma:
Objective: The objective of Ashta Chamma is to move all your pieces around the board and into the center square before your opponents.
Setup:
The board consists of a square grid with 8x8 squares, with a cross in the center forming four large squares. Each player has four pieces, which start on the outer squares of the board.
Gameplay:
Starting the Game: Players take turns rolling a cowrie shell or a dice to determine how many squares to move their pieces. A player must roll a 1 or 4 to move a piece out of the starting square and onto the board.
Moving Pieces: Pieces move around the board following the path indicated by the arrows on the board.
Pieces can move forward, backward, or sideways along the path, but cannot move diagonally.
Capturing Pieces: If a player's piece lands on a square occupied by an opponent's piece, the opponent's piece is captured and sent back to the starting square. However, if a player's piece lands on a square occupied by their own piece, it forms a blockade and cannot be captured by opponents.
Reaching the Center: The objective is to move all four of your pieces around the board and into the center square. Once a piece reaches the center square, it is removed from the board.
Winning: The first player to move all four of their pieces into the center square wins the game.
Ashta Chamma is a game that requires both luck and strategy, as players must decide when to move their pieces and when to block their opponents. It is a game that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is often played in homes and villages across India.
14. Kith-Kith:
Kith-Kith, also known as Hopscotch, is a popular children's game played all over the world, including in India. It is a game of agility and balance that can be played both indoors and outdoors. Here's how it's played:
Objective: The objective of Kith-Kith is to successfully hop through the numbered squares and complete the course without stepping on the lines or losing balance.
Setup:
Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground. The grid consists of a series of numbered squares, typically arranged in a single or double linear pattern, with a "home" or "rest" square at one end.
Each square is numbered sequentially, starting from 1.
Gameplay:
Starting the Game: A player tosses a marker (like a stone or a small object) into square 1. The player then hops through the course, skipping the square with the marker.
Hopping through the Squares: The player hops on one foot into each square, except for the one with the marker, which is skipped. If the player successfully completes the course, they turn around and hop back, picking up the marker on the way back.
Balancing and Accuracy: Players must maintain balance and accuracy while hopping and avoid stepping on the lines or falling over. If a player loses balance, steps on a line, or misses a square, their turn ends, and the next player takes a turn.
Passing the Marker: After completing a turn, the player tosses the marker into the next square and repeats the process. The game continues with each player taking turns hopping through the course.
Winning: The first player to successfully hop through all the squares and back without making a mistake is the winner.
Kith-Kith is a game that not only provides physical exercise but also helps improve balance, coordination, and concentration. It is a timeless game that is enjoyed by children of all ages and is often played in schools, playgrounds, and neighborhoods across India.
15. Paramapadham (Snakes and Ladders):
Paramapadham, also known as Snakes and Ladders, is a classic board game that is played with a dice and a board with numbered squares. The goal of the game is to reach the last square (100) before your opponents. Here's how it's played:
Setup: Each player starts at the first square (1) and takes turns rolling a dice to move forward. The order of play is typically determined by rolling the dice, with the highest roller going first.
Movement: On your turn, roll the dice and move your token forward the number of squares shown on the dice. If your token lands at the bottom of a ladder, you can move up to the square at the top of the ladder. If your token lands on the head of a snake, you must slide down to the square at the snake's tail.
Winning: The first player to reach or exceed the last square (100) wins the game.
Special rules: If you roll a number that would move your token beyond square 100, you must wait until your next turn to try again. Some versions of the game include additional rules, such as requiring an exact roll to land on square 100.
Strategy: Since the movement in Paramapadham is determined entirely by the dice, there is little strategy involved. However, players can try to block opponents by landing on the same square as them, forcing them to move back.
Overall, Paramapadham is a simple and luck-based game that is suitable for players of all ages.
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