Traditional Indian party game
Raja Rani (Catch the Thief)
Raja Rani is the chit game of Indian homes: a few scraps of paper, each with a role written on it, folded and tossed on the floor. Everyone grabs one, the King calls for the Police, and the Police has to find the Thief. All it needs is paper, a pencil and a few cousins, and it has filled many a power cut.
How it’s played at home
The rules most homes agree on. Every family adds its own.
Write one role and its points on each chit, for example King 1000, Queen 800, Police 500 and Thief 0. Fold them so they all look the same.
One player shakes the chits and tosses them on the floor. Everyone grabs one and reads it in secret.
The King shows their chit and calls out, "Who is my Police?" The Police shows theirs.
The Police now guesses which of the others holds the Thief chit, while everyone tries to keep a straight face.
Guess right, and everyone keeps their chit's points. Guess wrong, and the Police's points go to the Thief.
Play an agreed number of rounds and add up the points. The highest total wins.
How it plays on your phone
Read your cousins' hands by lantern light and catch the one with the Thief chit.
Real 3D
Built in rich 3D on real Indian grounds. The touch controls do what your hands would do.
Short levels
Up to three stars a level. Easy, Medium and Hard tiers bring new grounds.
Plays offline
No internet needed, in English and five Indian languages.
Other names
The same game, by another name, across India.
- Raja Mantri Chor SipahiHindi
- Chor Police
- Catch the ThiefEnglish
Questions about Raja Rani
How is Raja Rani scored?
Each chit carries points, for example King 1000, Queen 800, Police 500 and Thief 0. If the Police guesses the Thief, everyone keeps their points. If not, the Police's points go to the Thief. The highest total after the agreed rounds wins.
How many people can play Raja Rani?
Four is the classic game, one chit each. Bigger groups add chits, such as a Minister, so that every player gets one.
Is Raja Rani only luck?
The chits are luck, the guess is not. A good Police watches hands and faces for the one who looks too calm or too nervous.
Can I play Raja Rani online or on my phone?
There is no browser version. Raja Rani is one of the 14 games in Vilayo, an Android game that plays offline, in English, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. Get it on Google Play.
Keep playing
Thirteen more street games in Vilayo.
Free on Android
Come play Raja Rani.
With thirteen more street games, on one phone.