Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s3.t2.19

c7.s3.t2.19

*Indoor Games.*—For lighter amusement, a variety of indoor games was played, both with and without stakes. Chess, *Chaupar*, *Nard* (Persian backgammon) and cards were all popular with every class of the people. A fierce controversy went on in orthodox circles over the religious validity of these amusements. Orthodox opinion was unanimous in condemning gambling of all kinds. Some clever theologians even discovered a tradition of the Prophet purporting to declare that the playing of *Nard* was a sin. A similar weighty exposition of their case was attributed to the wise Ali, who was reported to have considered chess as detrimental to proper intellectual development. The case of the opposition was simple and was based entirely on common sense and personal experience. They considered both chess and Persian backgammon as two excellent aristocratic recreations which were quite harmless and refined and warmly defended the wide popularity of these games.³