From Persian roots to Indian tradition
The earliest references of the Ganjifa dates back to the 15th century. The cards have been primarily associated with the Mughals but their roots belong in Persia. The first mention comes from the historian Ibn Taghribirdi who described a Mamluk sultan enjoying a game called kanjifa – the medieval Arabic name for Ganjifa. It is believed that the game arrived in India with the Mughals, as evidenced by a journal entry of 1527 made by Babur himself! Even gameplay details can be gleaned from the 16th-century Humayun-nama, authored by Gulbadan Begum.
Over time, Ganjifa sprouted regional variations, each boasting unique iconography, deck composition, and cultural significance. Notably, Hindu-themed Ganjifa drew inspiration from Kreeda Patra, an even older Indian card game. It seems plausible that the Ganjifa has survived six centuries in India due to its detailed designs and historic/mythical characters. One popular deck called Dashavatara Ganjifa, which features all ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, is beloved and celebrated even today as part of traditional festivals in Mysore!
Artistry of the Chitrakars*
Unlike their rectangular West Asian counterparts, Indian Ganjifa cards stand out with their unique circular shape. During the era of Mughal emperors, the decks for royalty were crafted in the luxury of ivory and tortoiseshell, while the commoners played with cards crafted from simpler materials like starched cloth, papier-mâché, or palm leaves. The level of artistry also varied between these cards. For the royalty, each card was adorned akin to an elaborate painting. Factors like demand and prevailing tastes further influenced the intricacy of the designs. However, one thing remained constant: the court cards. These were the most meticulously crafted, reflecting their importance in gameplay. They were like miniature paintings in one’s hand –e.g a king or minister astride a horse against a scenic backdrop, with the suit symbol woven into the artwork. These royal and noble decks truly elevated Ganjifa cards to works of art. Even today, the Ganjifa cards are hand-made and hand-painted by skilled craftsmen known as the Chitrakars.
Several variations of the Mughal Ganjifa developed over time. These include a version invented by Akbar called Ganjapa (played till date in Odisha), the ten-suited Dashavatara Ganjifa, Mysore Chad Ganjifa, Naqsh Ganjifa, Sawantwadi Ganjifa from Maharashtra, and Ramayana Ganjapa from Odisha. The game is rarely played today, with the chitrakars ocassionally creating novelty packs for display.