Mughal Ganjifa Playing Cards, Early 19th century, complete set, courtesy of the Wovensouls collection It was then probably played with chips carved out from Turquoise. He argues that the Persian sources mention the Ganjifa card game existed before the Safavid period (1501- 1732). Later, Mehdi Roschanzamir rejected this theory. It considers Ganjifa, an adaptation of the European card game. According to a Persian chronicler of the 17th century, the Ganjifa card game and its playing cards were invented by Mirza Giyath al-Din Mansur. The origin of the cards themselves is, however, debated. The word Ganjifa means Playing Cards originated in Persia in the 15th century, derived from the Persian word ‘ Ganj’ or Treasury. The written evidence suggests that the earliest card games in Indian culture are associated with the Ganjifa cards. However, the first written evidence of Playing cards in Indian history was in the 16th century. People believe that the earliest playing cards in India were Patrakrida. The history of playing cards in Indian culture has evolved from being used for recreation to gambling and as a symbol of social status.

An Italian Scholar, Cardano, in 1564, remarked that playing card games is like an ‘ambush’ because of their concealed identity.

French card game popular in casinos