Parchís history traces roots to the Mughal Empire

The historical origins of the popular board game Parchís are linked to ancient civilizations and the Mughal Empire. While some historians suggest roots in the Mayan civilization through the game ‘patolli’, the most widely accepted predecessor is ‘chaupar’ or ‘pacisi’ from 16th-century India.

During the reign of Emperor Akbar I, the game was highly favored. Akbar reportedly had a life-sized marble board constructed in his palace in Agra. In this historical version, players moved pieces toward a central king, a precursor to the modern mechanics used in households today.