Traditional Indian Games — Rules for Groups and Families पारम्परिक खेल

Kabaddi

Players: two teams of 7 · Equipment: none · Space: a court about 13 × 10 metres, divided in half.

A raider crosses into the other half, chanting "kabaddi-kabaddi" without taking a breath, tries to touch defenders and return to their own half. Touched defenders are out; if the defenders hold the raider until the breath breaks, the raider is out. Teams take turns to raid.

Learning value: stamina, breath control, courage and teamwork. Now a professional and Asian Games sport.

Kho-Kho

Players: two teams of 12 (9 on the field) · Equipment: two poles · Space: a rectangular court.

The chasing team sits in a line, alternate players facing opposite directions. One chaser runs after the defenders but can only change direction at the poles; to pass the chase, they touch a seated teammate from behind and say "kho". Defenders who are touched are out.

Learning value: speed, agility and split-second coordination.

Gilli-Danda

Players: 2 or more · Equipment: a long stick (danda) and a short tapered stick (gilli).

The striker flips the gilli into the air by striking its tapered end and then hits it as far as possible. Fielders try to catch it or throw it back near the striker's hole; distance is measured in danda lengths.

Learning value: hand-eye coordination; an ancestor of many bat-and-ball games.

Lagori (Pittu, Saat Patthar)

Players: two teams · Equipment: seven flat stones and a soft ball.

One team knocks down a pile of seven stones with the ball and then tries to rebuild it, while the other team tries to hit them with the ball to get them out.

Learning value: aim, strategy and team play.

Langdi

Players: groups · Equipment: none · Space: a marked area.

The chaser hops on one foot and tries to touch the defenders, who run freely within the area. A defender who is touched or steps out is out; the chaser who puts their other foot down loses their turn.

Learning value: balance and leg strength. Played competitively in Maharashtra.

Rumal Chor (Dog and Bone)

Players: a circle of 8–20 · Equipment: a handkerchief.

Players sit in a circle facing inward. The "thief" walks around the outside and secretly drops the handkerchief behind someone, who must notice, pick it up and chase the thief around the circle before the thief takes the empty place.

Learning value: alertness and quick reaction; ideal for children.

Kokla Chhapaki

Players: a circle · Equipment: a knotted cloth.

A Punjabi version of the handkerchief game: the player with the knotted cloth (kokla) circles the group singing and drops it behind someone, who must chase them with the cloth before they reach the gap.

Learning value: alertness and fun with song.

Chhupan-Chhupai (Hide and Seek)

Players: any number · Equipment: none.

One player counts with eyes closed while others hide; the seeker then finds them. The first one found seeks next.

Learning value: observation and patience for younger children.

Oonch-Neech

Players: groups · Equipment: none · Space: a place with raised spots (steps, kerbs).

The chaser can only tag players standing on the low ground (neech); players are safe on high ground (oonch) but must keep moving between spots.

Learning value: agility and judgement.

Posham Pa

Players: a group of children · Equipment: none.

Two players form an arch with their hands while others pass under in a line singing the rhyme; when the song ends, the arch drops and catches a player, who then chooses a side.

Learning value: rhythm and social play for little children.

Kanche (Marbles)

Players: 2 or more · Equipment: glass marbles.

Players flick their marble with the finger to hit target marbles or send them into a small hole; marbles won are kept or scored.

Learning value: fine motor control and aim.

Lattu (Spinning Top)

Players: any · Equipment: a wooden top with a string.

The string is wound round the top, which is thrown to spin on the ground or in the palm; games include knocking others' tops out of a circle.

Learning value: skill, patience and dexterity.

Pallanguzhi

Players: 2 · Equipment: a board with 14 pits and seeds or shells.

A South Indian sowing game: players pick up seeds from a pit and drop one in each pit in turn, capturing seeds according to where the last one falls.

Learning value: counting and planning ahead.

Pachisi and Chaupar

Players: 2–4 · Equipment: a cross-shaped cloth board, pieces, cowries or long dice.

Players race their pieces around the cross-shaped board and home, according to throws of cowrie shells or dice. Chaupar appears in the Mahabharata's dice game; the modern Ludo is derived from Pachisi.

Learning value: strategy and patience; a link to India's epic heritage.

Patang (Kite flying)

Players: any · Equipment: kite and string (use cotton string, never glass-coated "manja").

Flown especially on Makar Sankranti and Independence Day; in kite fights one flier tries to cut another's string.

Learning value: patience and skill — and responsibility: coated string injures birds and people.

Mallakhamb

Players: individuals · Equipment: a vertical wooden pole or a hanging rope; trained supervision.

Gymnasts perform holds, climbs and poses on the pole or rope. Revived in Maharashtra in the nineteenth century and now a competitive sport.

Learning value: strength, flexibility and concentration. Learn only under a trained coach.

A note on shakha games

Shakhas play many group games with names such as "Mai Shivaji" and "Dilli Hamari", whose rules vary from place to place and are passed on by practice. Ask a local instructor for the version played in your area.

Frequently asked questions