[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [State papers](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin) › [Āʾīn-i Akbarī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari) › [The Ain i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett) › 91 # The Institutes of Akbar 91: THE HARNESS OF ELEPHANTS. The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 91 - **Language:** English ### THE HARNESS OF ELEPHANTS. ### [91.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.1) 1. The Dharnah is a large chain, made of iron, gold, or silver. It is made of sixty oval links, each weighing three sers; but the chain differs in length and thickness according to the strength of the elephant. One end of the chain is fixed in the ground, or fastened to a pillar; the other end is tied to the left hind leg of the elephant. Formerly, they fastened this chain to the forefoot; but as this is injurious for the chest of the elephant, His Majesty ordered to discontinue the usage. 2. The Andi is a chain, with which both forefeet are tied. As it annoys the elephant, His Majesty ordered it to be discontinued. 3. The Beri is a chain for fastening both hindfeet. 4. The Baland is a fetter for the hindfeet, an invention of His Majesty. It allows the elephant to walk, but prevents him from running. 5. The Gaddh beri resembles the Andi, and is an additional chain for the hindlegs of unruly and swift elephants. 6. The Loh langar is a long chain, suitable for an elephant. One end is tied to the right fore foot, and the other end to a thick log, a yard in length. This the driver keeps near him, and drops it, when the elephant runs too swiftly, or gets so unruly as no longer to obey. The chain twists round his leg, and the log will annoy the animal to such an extent that it necessarily stops. This useful invention, which has saved many lives, and protected huts and walls, is likewise due to His Majesty. ### [91.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.2) 7. The Charkhi is a piece of hollowed bamboo, half a yard and two tassujes long, and has a hole in the middle. It is covered with sinews and filled with gunpowder, an earthen partition dividing the powder into two halves. A fuzee wrapt in paper, is put into each end. Fixed into the hole of the bamboo at right angles is a stick, which serves as a handle. Upon fire being put to both ends, it turns round, and makes a frightful noise. When elephants fight with each other, or are otherwise unruly, a bold man on foot takes the burning bamboo into his hand, and holds it before the animals, when they will get quiet. Formerly, in order to separate two elephants that were fighting, they used to light a fire; but people had much trouble, as it seldom had the desired effect. His Majesty invented the present method, which was hailed by all. 8. Andhiyari, i. e., darkness, a name which His Majesty changed into Ujyali, i. e., light, is a piece of canvass above one and a half yards square. It is made of brocade, velvet, &c., and tied with two ends to the Kilaweh (vide next). When the elephant is unruly, it is let fall, so that he cannot see. This has been the saving of many. As it often gives way, especially when the elephant is very wild, His Majesty had three heavy bells attached to the ends of the canvass, to keep it better down. This completed the arrangement. ### [91.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.3) 9. The Kilaweh consists of a few twisted ropes, about one and a half yards long. ‘They are laid at the side of each other, without however being interwoven among themselves, the whole being about eight fingers broad.’ A ring is drawn through both ends of the ropes, and fastened where the throat of the elephant is: the elephant driver rests his feet in it, and thus sits firmly. Sometimes it is made of silk or leather. Others fix small pointed iron-spikes to the kalawah, which will prevent an unruly elephant from throwing down the driver by shaking its head. 10. The Dul’hí is a rope, five yards long, as thick as a stick. This they tie over the kalawah, to strengthen it. 11. The Kánár is a small pointed spike, half a yard long. This they likewise attach to the kalawah, and prick the elephant’s ears with it, in order to make the animal wild, or to urge it on. 12. The Dór is a thick rope passing from the tail to the throat. When properly tied, it is an ornament. They also catch hold of it, when the elephant makes an awkward movement. They also attach many other trappings to it. 13. The Gadelah, is a cushion put on the back of the elephant, below the dul’hí. It prevents galling, and is a source of comfort. 14. The Gudaut’h is a chain of brass. They attach it near the tail, which it prevents from getting injured by the dul’hí. It is also ornamental. ### [91.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.4) 15. The Pichhwah is a belt made of ropes, and is fastened over the buttocks of the elephant. It is a support for the Bhoi, and of much use to him in firing. 16. The Chaurásí consists of a number of bells attached to a piece of broadcloth, which is tied on before and behind with a string passed through it. It looks ornamental and grand. 17. Píthkachh is the name of two chains fastened over the elephant’s sides. Attached to them, a bell hangs below the belly. It is of great beauty and grandeur. 18. Large chains. They attach six on both sides, and three to the kalawah, the latter being added by His Majesty. 19. Qutás (the tail of the Thibetan Yak). There are about sixty, more or less, attached to the tusk, the forehead, the throat, and the neck. They are either white, or black, or pied, and look very ornamental. 20. The Tayyá consists of five iron plates, each a span long, and four fingers broad, fastened to each other by rings. On both sides of the Tayyá there are two chains, each a yard long, one of which passes from above the ear, and the other from below it, to the kalawah, to which both are attached. ### [91.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.5) Between them there is another chain, which is passed over the head and tied to the kaléwah; and below, crossways, there are four iron spikes ending in a curve, and adorned with knobs. The Qutás are attached here. At their lower end, there are three other chains similarly arranged. Besides, four other chains are attached to the knob; two of them, like the first, end in a knob, whilst the remaining two are tied to the tusks. To this knob again three chains are attached, two of which are tied round about the trunk, the middle one hanging down. Qutás and daggers are attached to the former knobs, but the latter lies over the forehead. All this is partly for ornament, partly to frighten other animals. 21. The Pák’har is like an armour, and is made of steel; there are separate pieces for the head and the trunk. 22. The Gajzhamp is a covering put as an ornament above the pák'har. It looks grand. It is made of three folds of canvass, put together and sewn, broad ribbons being attached to the outside. 23. The Meg’hdambar is an awning, to shade the elephant driver, an invention by His Majesty. It also looks ornamental. 24. The Ranpiyálah is a fillet for the forehead, made of brocade or similar stuffs, from the hem of which nice ribbons and qutás hang down. 25. The Gateli consists of four links joined together, with three above them, and two others over the latter. It is attached to the feet of the elephant. Its sound is very effective. ### [91.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.6) 26. The Pái ranjan consists of several bells similarly arranged. 27. The Ankus is a small crook. His Majesty calls it Gajbág’h. It is used for guiding the elephant and stopping him. 28. The Gad is a spear which has two prongs, instead of an iron point. The Bhoi makes use of it, when the elephant is refractory. 29. The Bangrí is a collection of rings made of iron or brass. The rings are put on the tusks, and serve to strengthen as well as to ornament them. 30. The Jagáwat resembles the Gad (No. 28), and is a cubit long. The Bhoí uses it, to quicken the speed of the elephant. 31. The Jhandá, or flag, is hung round with Qutás, like a togh. It is fixed to the side of the elephant. But it is impossible to describe all the ornamental trappings of elephants. For each Mast and Shergír and Sádah, seven pieces of cotton cloth are annually allowed, each at a price of 83 dáms. Also, four coarse woollen pieces, called in Hindí kambal, at 10 d. each, and eight ox hides, each at 8 d. For Manjholah and Karha elephants, four of the first; three of the second; and seven of the third, are allowed. For P’handurkiyas and Mokals, and female elephants, three of the first; two of the second; four of the third. ### [91.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91.7) The saddlecloth is made of cloth, lining, and stuff for edging it round about; for sewing, half a ser of cotton thread is allowed. For every man of grain, the halqah dár is allowed ten sers of iron for chains, &c., at 2 d. per ser; and for every hide, one ser of sesame oil, at 60 d. per man. Also, 5 s. coarse cotton thread for the kaláwah of the elephant on which the Faujdár rides, at 8 d. per ser; but for other elephants, the men have to make one of leather, &c., at their own expense. A sum of twelve dáms is annually subtracted from the servants; but they get the worn out articles. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.91) · Pramāṇa