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Daily life in Asia

Pachisi game board

Ethno 1898.7-3.735

Pachisi game board

From: Sri Lanka
Date: 19th century AD

Pachisi has been popular in India and its neighbours for hundreds of years. It was brought to Britain in the nineteenth century, made easier to play and called 'Ludo' - you may have played it yourself.

Pachisi is usually played by two teams of two people, who race their pieces round the cross-shaped board. The name comes from the Hindi word 'pacis', meaning 'twenty-five' - the highest number you can throw with the six dice. This beautiful game board is made of velvet.