Carrom Association

The history of Carrom

The Origins
No one knows when Carrom began, or where.
The earliest mention of a similar game was found in a 2000 years old Abyssinian tomb (Indo-Iranian Culture).

No one knows how Carrom spread to the Indian sub-continent.

If you know the history please get in touch, or if you have old photos of games, players, boards etc. Please send us copies. In the meantime have a look at this old American board I found on Ebay.

A game similar to Carrom appears in Ancient Greek writings.

Some people say that the word ‘Carrom’ originated in Timor, South East Asia.

Carrom means Malabar Coast in Portuguese. ‘Malabar Coast’ was the spice trading coast in India.

In Chinese, Carrom means ‘Healthy Game’, and it certainly is.

In the late 18th century the word ‘Carrom’ was changed to ‘Cannon’ in the English-speaking world and there was a game called ‘Carrom Billiards’ played not so long ago.

Changes and Similarities
There are many variations and derivations of the game.
Billiards, snooker, 8-ball, pool and bar billiards.
In Denmark a similar game called ‘Carroma’ is played with cues rather than fingers.
In China a game resembling Carrom is also played with cues.
A game, comparable to Carrom, called Vindi Vindin is played in Fiji.
In Israel, it’s Szhe Szhe.
In Mexico and Java a similar game using bottle tops is played and so the different striking action by Mexicans.
And in Canada the game Crokinole is similar.