Mahjong: How This Ancient Chinese Game Is Finding New Ground In India

Years ago, when I watched Crazy Rich Asians for the first time, I was captivated by a particular scene called "Game of Wits." The female lead, Rachel Chu, and her feisty mother-in-law, Eleanor Young, are playing with tiles arranged in a systematic pattern. The way both characters conveyed their emotions while playing tiles truly amazed me.

A few years later, Chinese dramas started gaining popularity in India. Eventually, I began watching them. Beyond the stunning visuals of modern-day China, what truly left me starstruck were their traditions. From the elegant Qipao and Pu'er tea to, finally, the tile game—Mahjong. This particular game is now gaining a new fan base in India. Much like the rise of Pickleball, Mahjong is slowly but surely carving out its place in India's elite circles.

The Rise Of Mahjong In India

India, as a country, has always been a diverse pool of cultures. One of the cultural highlights is undoubtedly adaptability and embracing new cultural phenomena. Be it the K-drama wave that inspired Indians to adapt Korean language, skincare and food or be it popular games like Pickleball and now Mahjong. 

Originating in China during the Qing dynasty, Mahjong has long been a symbol of strategy, bonding, and ritual. For decades, it was mostly seen in familial settings or among older communities. But that’s changing rapidly. Gen Z and millennials are giving the game a modern twist—hosting Mahjong nights with cocktails, turning tiles into fashion accessories, and sharing their moves on Instagram.

Mahjong is typically a four-player strategy game involving 136 to 152 tiles, depending on the version played. There are different styles and dialect names for this game. Versions like Western/American Mahjong or Singapore Mahjong are among the most popular in the city, each offering its own twist on strategy and rules. There are also games with an Indian touch, featuring differing rules.

How To Play Mahjong

A Mahjong set contains:

Pung: 3 matching tiles

Kong: 4 matching tiles

Pair: 2 matching tiles

Winning Hand: 4 Pungs and 1 Pair (called a pure hand). Special sets like Dragon or Wind Pungs give extra points.

1. 3 or 4 players sit around a square table.

2. Each player starts with 13 tiles (the dealer gets 14).

3. Everyone builds a wall of tiles in front of them, then pushes it together into a square.

4. A dealer is picked (usually by rolling dice).

5. On your turn, draw 1 tile and discard 1 tile, saying the tile’s name out loud.

6. You can take a tile someone discards if it helps complete your set—just call out “Pung” or “Kong.”

7. Keep collecting sets to complete your hand.

8. When you’re one tile away from winning, say “Fishing.”

9. When your hand matches a winning pattern, shout “Mahjong” to win the round!

What sets Mahjong apart is its deeper meaning. It isn't just a pastime—it's a tool for connection, especially in a world increasingly driven by screens and solitude. Whether it's friends gathering for weekend tournaments or diasporic communities reconnecting with tradition, Mahjong brings people to the same table, literally and figuratively.

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