TAKHTAPALAT
A Game of Royal Deception & Overthrow
The Goal (Sach vs. Dhokha)
Navigate the treacherous waters of the royal court. Your ultimate objective is to be the last player remaining with hidden Darbaari (Courtiers) alive in your hand. Manipulate, use Dhokha (deception), and bribe your way into absolute power in the Darbar (Royal Court).
Setup
- ❖Deal 2 Darbaari cards face-down to each player (Hidden).
- ❖Grant each player 2 Asharfis (Gold Coins) as starting wealth.
- ❖Place the remaining cards face-down in the center to form the Darbar Deck.
- ❖Pile the remaining coins in the center to form the Shahi Khazana (Treasury).
Remember Raja Mantri Chor Sipahi?
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.
Actions & Chunauti
Basic Actions
- Kamai (Income): Take 1 Asharfi from the Shahi Khazana. Cannot be blocked.
- Videshi Madad (Foreign Aid): Take 2 Asharfis. Can be blocked by the Raja.
- Takhtapalat (The Coup): Pay 7 Asharfis to the Khazana. Force one player to lose a Darbaari. Unblockable.
Chunauti & Bhandafod
You may claim any character's action, whether you have their card or not (Dhokha). Any rival can issue a Chunauti (Challenge) before the action resolves.
Bhandafod (Exposure): If challenged, you must prove you have the card. If you do, the challenger loses a Darbaari. If you lied, you lose a Darbaari, and your action fails.
Darbar Roster
Raja (The King)
Action (Lagaan (Tax)): Take 3 Asharfis from the Khazana.
Defense (Bachao): Blocks anyone from taking Videshi Madad.
Chor (The Thief)
Action (Chori (Steal)): Steal 2 Asharfis from another player.
Defense (Bachao): Blocks another player from stealing from you.
Mantri (The Minister)
Action (Rajniti (Politics)): Draw 2 cards from the Darbar Deck, choose which to keep, and return 2.
Defense (Bachao): Blocks Chori (Thief's stealing action).
Senapati (The General)
Action (Mrityudand (Execution)): Pay 3 Asharfis to assassinate and eliminate a rival's Darbaari.
Defense (None): Raw power with no shield.
Sipahi (The Guard)
Action (None): The Sipahi is a silent protector.
Defense (Suraksha (Protection)): Blocks a Senapati's Mrityudand against you.
A Turn in the Darbar
- 1You claim to be the Chor and attempt Chori — stealing 2 Asharfis from another player.
- 2Your target claims to be the Mantri and uses Bachao to block your steal.
- 3You don't believe them. You issue a Chunauti — "Jhooth!"
- ?If they really had the Mantri — you lose a Darbaari. If they were bluffing — they do. Either way, someone's getting exposed.
How You Win
The game continues until only one player has face-down Darbaari cards remaining. That player takes absolute control of the Darbar — and wins the throne.
Coming Soon
Takhtapalat is currently in development. We're playtesting, refining, and making it just right. Stay tuned for the launch!