Dasavatara Ganjifa from India
Chromo-lithograph Ganjifa cards by the Chitrasala Press, around 1950. Ten suits of twelve cards, each suit is based on one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu.
Ganjifa cards are used in India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, and are 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).
Above: Dasavatara Ganjifa, 120 Cards, 2¾" in diameter, printed by Chitrasala Press, Pune, around 1950 with either black, red or white backs. All of the Pradhans are shown riding on white horses. The God Vishnu is shown on the Raja cards.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Activity for Dasavatara Ganjifa from India
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Nabagunjara Ganjifa
An ancient game from the Puri region of India.
Persian Ganjifa
Hand-painted Persian ganjifa cards reflecting a once-popular eight-suited card game.
Discóbolo
Round cards from Brazil aiming to establish a link between astrology and playing cards.
Ganjifa - Playing Cards from India
Indian playing cards, known as Ganjifa, feature intricate designs with twelve suits and are traditio...
Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno
Egg-shaped cards created by Rodolfo Krasno employing photographic images by Michel Leclerc.
Handmade Ganjifa Birds Playing Cards
This set of Ganjifa cards is a beautiful example of traditional cards from India.
Easter Playing Cards
Egg-shaped cards with rabbit designs in soft, pastel colours for Easter.
Euro Playing Cards
New euro banknotes and coins from several countries on circular cards.
Wüst Oval Patience Playing Cards No.240
A review of all three known versions
Ganjifa™
A colourful pack of round cards with Ganjifa designs by Asha Industries, Mumbai, India, 2002.
Fairy Brand Round Playing Cards No.200A
Fairy Brand Round Playing Cards No.200A
Guru Ganjifa
Sunish Chabba is working on an initiative to revive traditional Ganjifa, the card game most popular ...
Indian Ganjifa Playing Cards
‘Ganjifa’ playing cards made in Sheopor in the North of Madhya Pradesh province in Central India. Th...
Chitrashala Press
Chitrashala Press produced some charming children's pictorial alphabet cards for early learning purp...
Fate Circular Deck
Circular Spanish-suited playing cards for FATE, 2007
Wüst Oval Patience
C. L. Wüst Oval Patience Karten No. 240, beautifully printed by chromolithography, c.1910.
Circular Coon Cards
Circular playing cards in a round tin titled: Sutherland's Circular Coon Cards published by Hartley ...
Cir-Q-Lar
Cir-Q-Lar Playing Cards. In 1929 John Waddington Ltd commenced the production of circular cards and ...
VELCAP circular, c.1980
VELCAP circular playing cards made by Cappellano S.A., c.1980.
Waddington’s Cir-Q-Lar Playing Cards
Waddington's Cir-Q-Lar Playing Cards, c.1930
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
