How Indian Board Games Were Used for Teaching Mathematics & Strategy

Let me take you through how simple games like Pallanguzhi (also called Alugulimane or Channe Mane) and Pagade (or Chausar) secretly teach math skills, without kids even realizing they’re learning.

Counting, Adding & Subtracting – The Basics Start Here!

If you've ever played Pallanguzhi or Alugulimane, you know how each player keeps distributing seeds, shells, or tokens into pits (or cups) one by one. It sounds simple, but to do well, you need to keep track of:

• How many seeds you have left
• How many to drop in each pit
• How many you can capture next

This naturally trains kids in addition and subtraction. You are mentally counting, adding seeds, removing them, and seeing how numbers increase and decrease. It's fast-paced, and over time, players get very quick at this mental math.

 

Division & Multiplication – Distribute Smartly

Another core skill in Pallanguzhi or Channe Mane is division. Every round, you’re dividing your seeds equally (or smartly!) across pits. And if you’re strategic, you’ll be able to collect more pits, which is kind of like multiplying your resources.

Similarly, in Pagade or Chausar, each move depends on how many steps your tokens can take. Players must multiply moves, figure out shortcuts, and divide moves between tokens.

These games sharpen:

• Movement skills (Division)
• Resource utilization in optimized way (Distributions and optimizing)
• Understanding ratios and probabilities

Mental Calculation & Statistics – Keeping Track Counts!

Here’s where it gets interesting.

For games like Pagade, especially when played seriously, players remember:

• Which tokens are where
• How many moves their opponent needs
• What dice rolls are still likely to come

Without realizing, kids (and adults) learn:

• Probability thinking
• Predicting outcomes
• Keeping mental statistics

It’s almost like doing a running math calculation in your head while also planning strategy. This strengthens memory and sharpens focus.

Why Does This Matter Today?

In today’s world of calculators and apps, many kids miss out on developing strong mental math skills. But, when they sit down to play Pallanguzhi, Channe Mane, or Pagade, they get:

• Hands-on practice with numbers
• A better understanding of strategy, counting, division
• Faster mental arithmetic abilities without feeling like they're doing “boring” math work

These games are timeless. Even now, they can be used in schools or at home to make math fun and practical.

Want to Get Started?

We have beautifully crafted, high-quality traditional boards you can bring home: 👉 Explore our Channe Mane , Alugulimane/Pallanguzhi Collection here!

 

Sources & References:

1. "Board Games in Ancient India" by C. Sivaramamurti – talks about the cultural and educational importance of Indian games.
2. "Traditional Games of India" published by IGNCA – a detailed compilation on how these games were used historically for learning.
3. "Play as Pedagogy in India’s Educational History" – Article in the Journal of Indian Education (NCERT) – explains how play-based learning was integrated into ancient Indian schooling.
4. Local oral traditions – I've personally learned from elders who say children in villages used to play Pallanguzhi to learn counting before formal schooling!