Hindu Deities on Persian Playing Cards: The Story of Ganjifa
Words by Konkana Ray
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Hindu Deities on Persian Playing Cards: The Story of Ganjifa
You’re at a party.
The host produces a deck of cards.
As they slide the cards out of the box, you expect to see the familiar countenance of the King, Queen and Jack – depicting medieval European nobility.
However, you find yourself gazing at something entirely different: a collection of vibrant circular cards with the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu of the Hindu pantheon, meticulously hand-painted on each one. The remarkable intricacy and exquisite craftsmanship of these colourful cards leave you fascinated and intrigued.
What you’re observing is a rare collection of medieval playing cards: a series called Dashavatara Ganjifa issued towards the end of the 16th century. Although these cards are still produced in some parts of India even today, they have been edged out of the mainstream by mass-produced Western playing cards since about the 19th century. The iconography on these cards and the games for which they were used give interesting insights into the time in which they were made and played.