Ashta Chamma (board game)

ashta Chamma game in telugu language

Chowka Bara (Kannada: Chowka bara) or Ashta Chamma (Telugu: అష్టా చమ్మా)) is an Indian board game, played during the era of kings. This game was used to improve eye-to-eye coordination, and to teach teenagers war tactics and strategy. It also helps in developing counting skills.

The movement of coins is controlled by throw of 4 or 6 cowry shells. Ashta Chamma is primarily a game of chance, but involves thinking and planning. It is an interesting and amusing way to develop strategy skills. Instead of cowries, dice can also be used.

This game is divided for Juniors and Seniors. The Junior board consists of 5x5 grid with 5 crossed boxes and the Senior board consist of 7x7 grid with 8 crossed boxes.

This game is called by various names in different languages in different regions of India. This list shows the name, the language and then the region:

Champool/ Kach kangri- Marathi- Maharashtra

The game is controlled by throwing four cowry shells and counting how many are 'as it is' verses those that land 'inverted'. if all four shells land inverted it is called "chamma" and if all land as it is then it is called an "ashta".

The tokens enter the board only after a Chamma or Ashta is thrown. Since each cowrie carry 2 points, 2 tokens for Chamma and 4 tokens for Ashta are entered on the board. The tokens travel anti-clockwise in outer squares, clockwise in inner squares and finally lands up in central square (home), with a throw of Ashta or Chamma. If a player’s token lands on a square occupied by opponent’s token, then the opponent’s token is "killed" and the player gets an extra turn to play. The killed token returns to its starting home square and has to go round all over again. In crossed boxes, killing is not possible. When a token reaches the square left of its home square, it further moves up into the inner squares and now moves in clockwise direction. However the tokens enter the inner squares, only when at least one of the opponent's tokens are killed. Otherwise they keep circling around until at least one of the tokens of opponent is killed by them. Every token need not kill an opponent. Each token finishes its race when it manages to get into the home. The first player to get all his tokens into home wins the game.

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