Ganjifa - Playing Cards from India

Above: Ten of Ghulam suit, showing ten court assistants.

Playing cards were made in India at least as long ago as around 1500. It is not certain whether they pre-date European and Middle-Eastern cards, but there is enough similarity to say that they are related. ‘Ganjifa’ is the name of a game commonly played with the cards, as well as the cards themselves.

Above: The 8 of Surkh (gold coins).

Indian cards are arranged in suits of twelve. They have two court figures – a Shah or Mir (King) and a Wazir (Minister) and ten numerals. The most common arrangement has eight suits, so 96 cards in all, probably coming from combining two sets of 48.

The suits relate to the Court of a wealthy ruler:

• Taj – a crown representing the court and its regalia
• Safed – white or silver, and meaning a coin, also associated with the moon
• Shamsher – a curved sword and sometimes shown with military figures
• Ghulam – an assistant with many possible roles
• Chang – a small harp, relating to entertainment
• Surkh – meaning red or gold and also associated with the sun
• Barat – a document, related to the chancellery of the court
• Qimash – household items, often shown as a cushion.

In the Ghulam suit, number cards show groups of people and are often interesting designs. Many of the other numerals have people or animals added. The Chang suit often depicts the harem, where music was played, so the cards often have female characters.

Ganjifa are traditionally circular and made by hand painting onto thick card and then lacquering. Some are more lavishly produced on materials like ivory and brass. As these cards are so beautifully painted, it is a little sad that the makers are not identified.

Left: Single Mughal Ganjifa court card. Mir of Surkh (King of gold coins) 1850-1875.