Patra Krida - Ganjifa Card Play in Sanskrit Literature

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Patrakrida, or Cardplay came to know as “Ganjipha” the later half of Medieval period. Though there are references to Patrakrida in works such as Kamasutra; no manual survived from the past. The six texts that deal with card play its various dimensions that survive today are- Ganjiphakhelana, Ganjipha Khelanakrama, Sritattvanidhi, Kridanidhi, Kridakausalya, Cetavinoda Kavya and Kridakausalya. The book deals with various games and sports of ancient Indea and revolves to unravel the Ganjipha sport as well as a medium of art. Detailed explanation of the rules and types of Ganjipha is dealt with as gleaned from Ganjipha Khelana and Krida Kausalya. Another interesting aspect dealt with is the role of Ganjipha is development of a cottage industry. The book ends with a suggestion based on these references and available evidences that Indea might be the precursor to Card Play with its division of decks existed from eighth century.

It is most fascinating and interesting book that will attract interest to all sections of the society. All of us Know at some point of time played cards as past time and occasionally even as gambling. Naturally we will be interested in Knowing the orgin and development of interest not only in cards-play but also allied sports like cock-flight, dove-fight, bull- fight and even fights of pigs, which not confined only to India, but also throughout South-East Asia. This very neatly and lucidly written. I am sure that this book will see many re-prints. Almost all houses would love to have a copy.

Thus till this date six texts are available specifically on card game in Sanskrit Literature. Of these the Ganjipha khelana and the Krida Kausalya which are similar in nature and abailable in print have been taken up for study here. Also efforts have made to understand rules and reputation of the Ganjifa game.

One game that has spread all over the world has been enthusiastically played by the people of all strata of society is the game of cards. Though its origin is subjected to a number of conjectures it has been confirmed by research scholars, that the game has originated in the east. But whether Persia, India or China is the place of origin of the card game still remains unresolved.

R. and N.Von Leyden seem to be the pioneers of deep study on Indian playing cards. Their article" Ganjifa the Playing Cards of India" deals with the history of cards in India the varieties of the game the Ganjifa cards, their sizes, shapes and their production in different parts of India. Though they refer to some articles on Ganjifa card-play in India the article by them referred above still remains the greatest source of information on Ganjifa games.

V. Raghavan is another scholar to deal with Card-Play though quite briefly in his book on Festivals, Sports and Pas- times of India.

R. and N.Von Leyden while dealing with the sources available on Ganjifa refer to three texts, namely, Ganjifa khelana of Giridhara, Gahjiphii khelana krama of Viresvara and Sri Tattva Nidhi of Krsnaraja Wodeyar. In addition it is from S.Y.Wakankar's article on "Contribution of Maharashtra to Sanskrit Literature mainly based on rare little -known and un- published Mss.", the information about Kridiinidhi Cetovinoda Kiivya and Kridd Kausalya as texts dealing with card game is known.

Thus till this date six texts are available specifically on card game in Sanskrit Literature. Of these the Gahjipha khelana and the Krida Kausalya which are similar in nature and avail- able in print have been taken up for study here. Also efforts have made to understand rules and reputation of the Ganjifa game.