A game of deduction, deception, and royal overthrow.
Inspired by the classic Raja Mantri Chor Sipahi — reimagined as a strategic card game for the Darbar.
Four players. Four chits. You'd fold them up, shuffle, and pick your fate — Raja, Mantri, Sipahi, or Chor.
The Raja would announce themselves, and the Sipahi had one job: figure out who the Chor was. Get it right, and the Chor scores nothing. Get it wrong, and the Chor steals the Sipahi's points.
It was simple, chaotic, and endlessly fun — the kind of game you played during lunch break, on train rides, and at every family gathering.
Takhtapalat takes that nostalgia and turns it into a proper strategy game — with hidden roles, bluffing, and a royal court full of betrayal.
You are a rival mastermind in the Royal Court. Manipulate, deceive, and bribe your way to absolute power. Each player controls two hidden Darbaaris (Courtiers) — but anyone can claim to be anyone. The last player with loyal Darbaaris wins the throne.
3 copies of each role in the deck. You start with 2 hidden Darbaaris — and can claim to be anyone.
Action: Lagaan (Tax) — Take 3 Asharfis from the Shahi Khazana.
Defense: Blocks Videshi Madad (Foreign Aid) against any player.
Action: Rajniti (Politics) — Draw 2 cards from the Darbar Deck. Mix with your hand, return 2.
Defense: Blocks a Chor from stealing from you.
Action: Chori (Steal) — Steal 2 Asharfis from another player.
Defense: Blocks another Chor from stealing from you.
Action: Mrityudand (Execution) — Pay 3 Asharfis to force a player to lose a Darbaari.
Defense: None — raw power with no shield.
Action: None — the Sipahi is a silent protector.
Defense: Suraksha (Protection) — Blocks the Senapati's Mrityudand attack against you.
On your turn, pick exactly one action. No character claim needed for these — but some can still be blocked.
Take 1 Asharfi from the Shahi Khazana. Cannot be blocked or challenged.
Take 2 Asharfis from the Shahi Khazana. Can be blocked by anyone claiming to be the Raja.
Pay 7 Asharfis to force any player to lose a Darbaari. Cannot be blocked. Mandatory at 10+ Asharfis.
Shout "Jhooth!" (Liar!) when someone claims a character. If they were bluffing, they lose a Darbaari. If they were truthful, you lose one instead.
Claim a defensive character to block an action against you. The attacker can accept or issue a Chunauti against your claim.
When you lose, flip one Darbaari face-up. It's exposed and useless. Lose both and you're eliminated from the Darbar.
Shuffle the 15 Darbaari Cards.
Deal 2 face-down cards to each player.
Give each player 2 Asharfis to start.
Remaining cards and coins form the Darbar Deck & Shahi Khazana.
The game continues until only one player has face-down Darbaari cards remaining. That player takes absolute control of the Darbar — and wins.
Takhtapalat is currently in development. We're playtesting, refining, and making it just right. Stay tuned for the launch!