Cows and Leopards | Solapur Dhurrie

Cows and Leopards — known in Kannada as Hasu Chirate Ata — is a traditional Indian hunt board game of pure strategy, with no dice and no luck. Two players face off in a deeply asymmetric contest: one commands just 2 leopards, the other controls a herd of 24 cows. The leopards hunt; the cows must overwhelm. Neither side has it easy.

The leopards strike by leaping over lone cows to open points, removing them from the board — and a single leopard can chain multiple captures in one turn if the path allows. The cows, unable to jump, must use their numbers to box the leopards in until neither can move. It is a game of patience against predation: the cows win by immobilising both leopards, the leopards win by picking off at least twelve of the herd. Every placement and every move carries consequence.

This board game is woven in the Solapur Dhurrie tradition, the same flatweave craft from Maharashtra known for its dense, durable cotton construction and clean geometric lines. The playing grid is woven directly into the fabric with confident, unadorned strokes — the diagonal lines that mark the special corner and home points fan outward boldly, giving the board a striking almost mandala-like geometry when viewed as a whole. A running whip-stitch borders the playing field, and the broad woven outer border anchors the piece with quiet solidity.

The leopards win by capturing at least 12 cows; the cows win by immobilising both leopards. Each set includes the game board, 24 cow counters, and 2 leopard counters. A wonderful gift for strategy game lovers, families, and anyone drawn to the living craft traditions of India.

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.