Koli Kadam Champul

A game of strategy and chance

India has a long and rich tradition of indoor games that combine strategy, counting, and the element of luck. One such game is Ashta Kashte, a traditional board game of South and Central India, also known by regional names such as Koli Kadam in Hyderabad and Champul in some other regions.

The game is considered one of the direct ancestors of Pachisi — the national board game of India and the forebearer of several modern games such as Ludo and Parcheesi. Ashta Kashte reflects India’s cultural emphasis on wit, patience, and planning, combined with a belief in fate and divine grace, symbolized by the use of cowrie shells as dice.

Origin

The origins of Ashta Kashte date back several centuries, when such games were commonly played in royal courts, temple courtyards, and village homes. The game’s name itself is derived from the words:

‘Ashta’ means eight, and ‘Kashte’ means steps or moves.

The name refers to the maximum throw value (eight) obtained when all four cowrie shells land mouth-down. This special throw is considered a ‘grace’, allowing the player another turn.

The game not only served as entertainment but also as a lesson in strategy and life — teaching that progress depends on both skill and fortune. In ancient India, cowrie shells were used as currency, and their inclusion in the game added symbolic meaning related to prosperity and destiny.

The Setup

The Game Board

Ashta Kashte is played on a square board divided into a 7 × 7 grid, forming 49 smaller squares. The central square, and the central

squares on each of the four sides are specially marked with an ‘X’.

These five marked squares serve distinct purposes in the game:

The central square is the final destination for all pieces — the ‘home.’

The four outer marked squares serve as starting and resting points for each player.

Each player sits facing one side of the square board, corresponding to one of the marked outer squares.

Players and Equipment.

Element

Description

Number of Players

2 to 4

Pieces per Player

4 pieces (usually in distinct colors or shapes)

Dice Used

4 cowrie shells

Throw Values

Equal to the number of cowries landing mouth-up (1– 4)

All mouths down

8 (grace) (another turn)

All mouths up

grace (another turn)

The cowries are shaken in the hand or a small cup and cast onto the playing surface. The number of openings (mouths) facing upward determines the count for movement.

Moving path for all the red colour pawns

The Play

Rules

Entering the Board

1.A player can bring a piece onto the board only when they throw a grace (8 or all up).

2.The entry point is the marked square on the player’s side

of the board.

3.Players may choose not to use a throw if they prefer to wait strategically.

Movement

1.Once on the board, the pieces move anti-clockwise along the outermost path of squares.

2.Upon completing a full circuit of the outer track and reaching the square just before their own starting point, the player turns inward through the left-hand corner into the next inner track. The path crosses the square diagonally to enter the inner perimeter, that is why the move is called cross square path.

3.From there, movement continues clockwise, spiraling toward the center.

4.This spiral journey symbolizes progress through the stages of life toward liberation or fulfillment.

Capturing Opponents

1.If a player’s piece lands on a square already occupied by an opponent’s piece, the opponent’s piece is captured and removed from the board.

2.The capturing player earns an extra throw as a reward.

3.However, pieces resting on marked squares (starting or resting points) are safe and cannot be captured.

Grace Throws

1.When a player throws a grace (8 or all mouths up), they are granted another throw immediately.

2.A player may use this advantage to bring new pieces into play or to advance existing ones.

Re-entry

1.If a player’s starting square is occupied by an opponent’s resting piece, the player may still enter the board by replacing the opponent’s piece, which is then removed.

2.Players must carefully plan which piece to move, balancing offense (capturing) and defense (reaching home safely).

Reaching the Center

1.Once a piece completes its spiral path, it must enter the central square by exact throw.

2.The first player to move all four pieces into the central square wins the game.

Example of Play

Suppose a player throws the cowries and gets three mouths up. One of their active pieces is then moved three spaces along the designated track. On their next turn, if they throw a grace, they can either 1. bring a new piece onto the board, or 2. move any of their active pieces and throw again.

Strategic players often delay entering new pieces to avoid early elimination and instead focus on advancing a few pieces safely toward the center.

Significance and Symbolism

Ashta Kashte is more than a game of chance; it mirrors Indian philosophical concepts such as the following.

1.The spiral movement toward the center represents the journey of life toward liberation (moksha).

2.The alternating directions — anti-clockwise then clockwise — symbolize the balance between fate and free will.

3.The ‘grace’ throw, granting another turn, embodies the

idea of divine intervention that can alter one’s destiny.

In traditional families, the game was played on cloth or wooden boards during leisure hours, festivals, or rainy seasons, often accompanied by storytelling and laughter. It nurtured mental calculation, decision-making, and patience among players of all ages.