In ancient India, King Bharata’s nine children competed for their father’s attention in the royal court. Seeing their rivalry, a wise sage drew nine squares in the palace courtyard’s sand, creating a game called “Navakoṭi” (Nine Courts).

“Victory comes not from standing alone, but from finding harmony with others,” the sage explained. The children learned patience and strategy, anticipating others’ actions. Sometimes, like in the game, life results in a peaceful draw.

This ancient game evolved through centuries into what we now know as Tic-Tac-Toe. The Channapatna wooden figures depict two legendary court wits: Birbal, whose sharp intellect made him Emperor Akbar’s trusted advisor in the Mughal north, and Tenali Rama, the quick-witted poet who delighted King Krishnadevaraya in the Vijayanagara empire. Though they never met, both transformed impossible challenges into elegant solutions.

The game board and figurines are lovingly handcrafted using traditional Channapatna woodcraft techniques, with the smiling figures of Birbal and Tenali Rama, poised to outwit each other in this engrossing game of Navakoti.

Each colorful piece carries forward a timeless lesson: in both play and life, joy lies in coming together with playful wisdom.