Pachisi, often referred to as the royal game of India, is a classic board game that combines strategy, luck, and skill. The game is played on a cross-shaped board, traditionally cloth, with each arm of the cross divided into three columns of eight squares. The central square is the destination that all players aim to reach. Pachisi can be played by two to four players, each having four game pieces. The pieces start in the player’s home circle and move around the board based on the throw of six or seven cowrie shells, which act as dice. The number of shells that land with their open side up determines the number of spaces a player can move their piece. A key rule in Pachisi is forming a blockade by placing two of your pieces on the same square, preventing opponents from passing. Capturing an opponent’s piece by landing on the same square sends the opponent’s piece back to their starting point. The game involves strategic decisions on when to move which piece and how to best utilize blockades and captures to one’s advantage. The first player to get all four of their pieces to the central square wins. Pachisi’s blend of strategy and chance makes it a timeless and engaging game, providing a window into the leisurely pursuits of ancient Indian royalty.