Gambling Game Fashionable in the 16th and 17th Centuries Played with a 40 Card Deck

Introduction

Gambling has been a popular pastime for centuries, and games have evolved over time. One such game that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries was played with a 40 card deck. The game was known by various names such as Ganjifa, Mughal Ganjifa, and Dashavatara Ganjifa. It was played in India, Persia, and other parts of the world.

Origin of the Game

The origins of the game are not clear, but it is believed to have originated in Persia. The game was introduced to India during the Mughal Empire and became popular among the royalty and nobility. The cards were hand-painted and adorned with precious stones, making them a symbol of wealth and status.

Rules of the Game

The game was played with a 40 card deck, with each card representing a different character or object. The cards were divided into four suits, each with ten cards. The suits were known as Darbar, Mithun, Kauda, and Ashta. The objective of the game was to win as many tricks as possible.

The game was played with two or more players. The dealer would deal the cards, and each player would take turns playing a card. The player who played the highest card would win the trick. The game continued until all the cards had been played, and the player with the most tricks would be declared the winner.

Popularity of the Game

The game was popular among the royalty and nobility in India and Persia. The cards were hand-painted and adorned with precious stones, making them a symbol of wealth and status. The game was also played by commoners, and the cards were sometimes made of paper instead of ivory or tortoise shell.

The game spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, where it was known as Ganze or Ganjefa. The game was played with a different deck of cards, but the rules were similar. It was popular among the aristocracy, and the cards were often hand-painted and decorated with gold leaf.

Decline of the Game

The game began to decline in popularity in the 18th century with the introduction of playing cards from Europe. The new cards were cheaper and easier to produce, and they quickly replaced Ganjifa as the preferred card game. Today, the game is still played in some parts of India, but it is not as popular as it once was.

Conclusion

Ganjifa was a popular card game in the 16th and 17th centuries, played with a 40 card deck. The origins of the game are not clear, but it is believed to have originated in Persia. The game was introduced to India during the Mughal Empire and became popular among the royalty and nobility.

The game was played with two or more players, and the objective was to win as many tricks as possible. The game was popular among the aristocracy in India and Persia and spread to other parts of the world, including Europe.

The game began to decline in popularity in the 18th century with the introduction of playing cards from Europe. Today, the game is still played in some parts of India, but it is not as popular as it once was.