Placing the pawns
Players take turns placing one pawn at a time on any empty marked point. The aim is to create a straight line of three pawns of the same colour.
Traditional Indian strategy game
Navakanakari
Navakanakari is a traditional Indian strategy board game in which players move pieces across a board and try to form specific patterns or lines to capture their opponent’s pieces. It belongs to the family of traditional alignment games, similar in concept to Nine Men's Morris.
The name may be associated with regional names for games played using a grid of nine-piece formations. The exact rules and board layout can vary by region, so the name alone does not establish one universal version.
Game at a glance
Objective
Form a straight line of three of your pieces and capture your opponent’s pieces.
Players
2 players.
Playing pieces
9 pieces per player in the standard version.
Board
Three squares drawn inside one another, connected by lines, with 24 marked positions.
Gameplay
Players first place their pieces on empty points, then move them along connected lines to create three-in-a-row formations.
Winning
Reduce your opponent to fewer than three pieces or block all their legal moves.
These details describe a standard version. Rules and board layouts may vary across regional versions.
Navakanakari is a game of planning, logical thinking and strategy. It can be played using a traditional board and pawns or drawn on the ground with small stones.
Regional Names Across India
| Region | Alternate Name | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Saalu Mane Ata (ಸಾಲು ಮನೆ ಆಟ) | Kannada |
| Karnataka | Jodpi Ata (ಜೋಡ್ಪಿ ಆಟ) | Kannada |
| Karnataka | Char-Par (ಚಾರ್-ಪಾರ್) | Kannada |
| Gujarat | Navkakri / Nav Kakri | Gujarati |
| Andhra Pradesh | Daadi / Dahdi / Dhadi | Telugu |
| North India | Nau Goti (नौ गोटी) | Hindi |
| India (traditional name) | Navakankari / Navakankari | Sanskrit-derived |
| Western countries | Nine Men’s Morris / Mills | English |
| Europe | Merels / Morris | European names |
Game at a Glance
Number of players
2 players
Recommended age
4 years and above
Playing duration
Approximately 5–30 minutes; longer games are possible
Playing board
1 board with three nested squares and connected lines
Playing pieces
18 pawns in total — 9 per player
Piece colours
Two contrasting colours, such as orange and brown or black and white
Dice required
None
Playing environment
Indoors, outdoors or on a flat surface
Skills Developed
Strategic thinking and planning ahead
Logical reasoning and problem-solving
Concentration and patience
Decision-making and observation
Social interaction and sportsmanship
Play guide
Setup and rules of Navakanakari
Navakanakari is a traditional Indian strategy board game in which two players compete to form lines of three pieces, capture their opponent’s pieces and prevent the opponent from moving freely. It is also known as Nine Men’s Morris.
1. Game setup
Place the Navakanakari board between the two players.
Give each player 9 pawns of the same colour.
Keep all pawns beside the board before starting.
Decide which player will make the first move.
Begin with an empty board. Pawns must be placed on the marked points where the lines intersect.
2. Rules of the game
Forming a mill
When a player forms a line of three connected pawns, called a mill, they may remove one of the opponent’s pawns from the board. A diagonal line does not count in the traditional version.
Moving the pawns
Once all 18 pawns have been placed, players take turns moving one pawn to an adjacent empty point connected by a line. Players cannot jump over other pawns.
Capturing opponent’s pawns
Each time a player forms a new mill, they may capture one opponent’s pawn. Normally, a pawn that belongs to an existing mill cannot be captured unless all the opponent’s pawns are in mills.
Winning the game
A player wins when their opponent has fewer than three pawns remaining or cannot make a legal move. The game rewards careful planning, positioning and blocking.
Common Variations in Play
Rules can differ between versions; these variations are not assigned to specific regions.
| Variation | How the Rule Changes |
|---|---|
| Flying rule | When a player has exactly three pawns remaining, they may move a pawn to any empty point instead of only to an adjacent point. |
| Capturing protected pawns | Normally, a pawn in an opponent’s completed mill cannot be captured unless all the opponent’s pawns are in mills. Some versions allow capturing from a mill at any time. |
| Repeated mill formation | A player may move a pawn out of a mill and later move it back to reform the mill and capture another pawn. Some versions restrict immediate repetition. |
| Simultaneous mills | If one move forms two mills, some versions allow only one capture, while other rule sets may permit more. |
| Board layout | Some related Morris games use fewer pawns or additional diagonal connections, changing the possible moves and formations. |
Historical Evidence
Ancient Egypt
Board-like markings have been reported on stonework at Kurna in Egypt. Their often-repeated date of around 1400 BCE is disputed because the carvings themselves cannot be securely dated to the temple’s construction. They should not be presented as conclusive proof of the game's age.
Roman World
Morris-family game boards have been found scratched into stone surfaces at Roman sites. The Roman poet Ovid, writing around 8 CE, also described a three-in-a-row game, although the passage is generally associated with a smaller related game rather than conclusively with the nine-piece version.
Medieval Europe
The game became popular in medieval Europe. Boards carved into stone seats, floors and other surfaces provide evidence that people played it in everyday settings. William Shakespeare also mentions Nine Men's Morris in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
India
Archaeological documentation records Morris-like board designs at Indian sites, including Ellora in Maharashtra. A 2024 study of historical board games also discusses related board designs from Lothal in Gujarat and sites in Andhra Pradesh. These finds support the history of board-game traditions in India, although the date and identity of each individual board must be assessed separately.
The evidence described here concerns the wider Morris family and related board-game traditions; it does not by itself establish the specific history of Navakanakari.
Cultural Context in India
Community Recreation
Traditional board games offered opportunities for people to spend time together, compete and share knowledge across generations.
Learning Through Play
Navakanakari encourages logical reasoning, spatial awareness, planning and decision-making.
Accessible Materials
Similar games can be played using a marked surface and small stones, seeds or handmade counters, making them adaptable to different settings.
Regional Heritage
The game is associated with names such as Navakankari, Navkakri, Daadi/Dahdi and Saalu Mane Ata in Indian board-game references. Local names and exact rules may vary. Not every regional name necessarily refers to precisely the same board or rules.
Why Navakanakari Matters Today
Navakanakari represents a continuing tradition of strategy games that combine simple materials with thoughtful play. Introducing it to children and families can help preserve traditional games while encouraging face-to-face interaction and critical thinking.
Historical Note
There is evidence for the wider Morris family of games in several historical periods and regions, but a precise origin date for Navakanakari itself has not been established.
Related Guides
Learn Navakankari: Step-by-Step Instructions
A dedicated guide covering the board layout, setup, placing pawns, forming mills, capturing pieces and winning.
Interactive Navakankari Game
Practise placing pieces, forming mills and capturing your opponent’s pieces with an interactive version.
Video Tutorial
Watch the video tutorial embedded in the official guide to understand the game setup and how to play.
Explore Navakankari Sets
Roll The Dice
Classic Navakankari Board Game
Includes a board and 18 playing pieces. A portable option for family play and beginners.
From: 725rs
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Ramsons Handicrafts
Navakankari Solapur Dhurrie Set
A handcrafted textile board with 18 pawns, combining traditional gameplay with Indian weaving craftsmanship.
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Varnam Craft Collective
Navakankari / Nine Morris
Features wooden pawns handcrafted in Channapatna and an embroidered mat made by Lambadi women artisans.
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