How to Play Char Par

How to Play Char Par

Overview

Char Par is a traditional Indian board game played on a cross-shaped board. It is a strategy and luck-based game for 2 to 4 players, using cowrie shells or dice to determine moves.

Players

2 to 4 players.

What's in the Box

  • 1 Char Par board
  • Tokens (4 colours, 4 tokens each)
  • Cowrie shells or dice

Objective

Move all your tokens around the board and bring them safely home before your opponents do.

Setup

  1. Place the board on a flat surface.
  2. Each player selects a colour and places their 4 tokens in their starting squares.
  3. Decide who goes first — typically the eldest player or by a trial throw.

How to Play

  1. On your turn, throw the cowrie shells (or roll the dice) to determine your move value.
  2. Move one of your active tokens the corresponding number of squares along the board path.
  3. Tokens travel along the outer path and then into the centre column of their own colour to reach home.
  4. If your token lands on an opponent's token (on a non-safe square), the opponent's token is sent back to start.
  5. Certain squares are safe squares — tokens on these squares cannot be captured.

Cowrie Shell Values

  • 1 shell mouth-up = 1
  • 2 shells mouth-up = 2
  • 3 shells mouth-up = 3
  • 4 shells mouth-up = 4 (bonus turn)
  • 0 shells mouth-up (all face down) = 6 (bonus turn)

Winning

The first player to move all 4 tokens into the home square wins the game.

Care Instructions

Store tokens and shells in the provided pouch. Wipe the board with a dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight.