The Institutes of Akbar 145.1

145.1

The manner of fighting of this animal is very interesting, and its method of stooping down and rising up again is a source of great amusement. Hence His Majesty pays much attention to this animal, and has succeeded in training this stubborn and timid creature. One hundred and one deer are kháṣah; each has a name, and some peculiar qualities. A keeper is placed over every ten. There are three kinds of fighting deer, First, those which fight with such as are born in captivity and with wild ones; secondly, such as fight best with tame ones; and thirdly, such as fiercely attack wild deer. The fights are conducted in three different ways. First, according to number, the first fighting with the second, the third with the fourth, and so on, for the whole. At the second go, the first fights with the third, the second with the fourth, and so on. If a deer runs away, it is placed last; and if it is known to have run away three times, it ceases to be khágah. Betting on these fights is allowed; the stake does not exceed 5 dáms. Secondly, with those belonging to the princes. Five khágah pair fight with each other, and afterwards, two khágah pair from His Majesty’s hunting-ground; then five other khágah pair. At the same time two pair from the deer park of His Majesty’s hunting-ground fight, and afterwards five khágah deer engage with five deer of the eldest prince.