Goats and Tigers | Kalamkari

Goats and Tigers (known traditionally as Adu Huli Ata) is a classic Indian hunt strategy board game for 2 players. One player commands 3 tigers, fierce and outnumbered, while the other marshals a flock of 16 goats — individually vulnerable, but powerful as a collective. No wooden cowries or dice are needed; this is a game decided entirely by wit and positioning.

The tigers hunt aggressively, leaping over lone goats to eliminate them one by one, while the goats work to hem the predators in until none can move. The asymmetry is what makes it so compelling — the tigers need only take out 6 goats to win, but the goats need discipline and coordination to surround all three. A lapse in either camp can swing the game entirely.

This board is rendered in Kalamkari, the ancient Indian art of hand-painted cloth. The central pyramid-shaped grid is flanked by hand-painted tiger and goat heads, bringing the two sides of the game to vivid life. The border is filled with a lively row of painted pebble motifs, and the outer edge carries the characteristic striped textile border typical of Kalamkari craftsmanship.

Tigers win by capturing at least 6 goats; goats win by immobilising all three tigers. Each set includes the game board, 16 goat counters, and 3 tiger 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.