Pachisi is a traditional board game that originated in India, often referred to as the "Royal Game of India." It is played on a cross-shaped board, typically with two to four players. The objective is to move all of one's pieces around the board and into the center, known as the "home" area, before the other players do. Players take turns rolling cowrie shells, which determine how many spaces they can move their pieces. The game involves strategy, as players can capture opponents' pieces and send them back to the starting area. Pachisi has inspired many modern games, including Ludo and Parcheesi.