Men & Elephants | Silk Embroidery

Men and Elephants (known traditionally as Khedda — Anay Kattu) is a classic Indian hunt strategy board game for 2 players. One player commands 4 elephants, mighty but few, while the other marshals an army of 48 men — individually no match for a charging elephant, but formidable when they close ranks. No wooden cowries or dice are needed; this is a game decided entirely by wit and positioning.

The scale of Khedda sets it apart — with 48 men flooding a densely connected grid, the elephants must rampage decisively, chaining multiple captures in a single turn to stay ahead. But every charge risks overextension, and a well-coordinated band of men can pin an elephant down for good. The elephants need to take out at least 20 men to win; the men need only surround all four to claim victory.

This board is handcrafted in Silk Embroidery, with the expansive diamond-shaped grid of intersecting triangles stitched across a lustrous silk ground. Each of the four corners is adorned with an embroidered portrait — two warriors with spears and two elephant faces — lending the board the feel of a royal battlefield. The wide velvet border frames the playing field with quiet authority, and handcrafted wooden beads hang from each corner, adding a final artisanal touch.

Elephants win by capturing at least 20 men; men win by immobilising all four elephants. Each set includes the game board, 48 men counters, and 4 elephant counters.

Part of Ramsons Kreedaa Kaushalya — traditional Indian board games researched, revived, and handcrafted in Mysore since 1970.

🤲 Because this is a 100% handmade product, every piece is one of a kind. The stitching, thread colour, and pawns may vary slightly from what you see in the images — and that's exactly what makes yours truly unique. No two boards are ever exactly alike; each carries the individual touch of the artisan who made it.