Dashavatara Ganjifa Playing Cards, India

Eighteen Dashavatara Ganjifa Playing Cards

These eighteen cards have come from a set of ganjifa playing cards – a full ‘Mughal’ set comprises 96 cards.

Each card is of circular form and is hand-painted painted on lacquered paper-board.

The cards are larger than those in a typical set and more finely painted, with much use made of gold paint. Some of the motifs are atypical – one card for example shows a dog.

Ganjifa originated in Persia but it really flourished in India where the game developed in various forms. Meanwhile, in Persia, the game largely died out. Initially in India, the game was played by the Mughals of northern India, but it soon spread to most parts of the country.

Cards similar to these are illustrated in Topsfield (2006), and von Leyden (1982).

The cards here are in variable condition – there is no creasing and little chipping to the edges. The paintwork on some cards has some flaking – some more than others. But the cards are well painted and their age is obvious.

Chopra, S., Ganjifa: The Playing Cards of India in Bharat Kala Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University, 1999.

von Lyeden, R.,

Ganjifa: The Playing Cards of India, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1982.

Topsfield, A., (ed.),

The Art of Play: Board and Card Games of India, Marg Publications, 2006.

private collection, UK