Dasavatara Ganjifa

Ganjifa cards were usually hand-painted. This version was printed chromo-lithographically by the Chitrasala Press in around 1950. Ten suits of twelve cards, each suit is based on one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu. An upper court card, Raja, a lower court card, Pradhan or Mantri, and ten numerals in each suit. Suits are: Matsya (fish), Kurma (turtle), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (lion), Vamana (water pot), Parashurama (axe), Rama (bow & arrow, or monkey), Krishna (quoit or cow), Buddha (conch) and Kalkin (sword or horse).
 
Raja of Rama (bow) Matsya Raja (fish) Narasimha Raja (lion) Buddha Raja
Pradhan of Rama (bow) Pradhan of Matsya (fish) Pradhan of Narasimha (lion) Pradhan of Buddha

120 Cards, 2¾" in diameter, printed by Chitrasala Press, Pune, around 1950 with either black, red or white backs.

 ten of Matsya (fish) nine of Narasimha (lion)

All of the Pradhans are shown riding on white horses (middle row). The God Vishnu is shown on the Raja cards (top row).


Cards courtesy Kishor Gordhandas. © 2001 The World of Playing Cards