The Institutes of Akbar 93: A'I'N 47. · THE MANNER OF RIDING KHA'C'AH-ELEPHANTS.

93

His Majesty, the royal rider of the plain of auspiciousness, mounts on every kind of elephants, from the first to the last class, making them, notwithstanding their almost supernatural strength, obedient to his command. His Majesty will put his foot on the tusks, and mount them, even when they are in the rutting season, and astonishes experienced people.
They also put comfortable turrets on the backs of swift-paced elephants, which serve as a travelling sleeping apartment. An elephant so caparisoned, is always ready at the palace.
Whenever His Majesty mounts an elephant, a month’s wages are given as a donation to the Bhois. And when he has ridden ten elephants, the following donations are bestowed, viz., the near servant who has weekly to report on the elephants, receives a present; the former, 100 R.; the Dahya'i, 31 R.; the Naqib, 15 R.; the Mushrif (writer), 7½ R. Besides, the regal rewards given to them at times when they display a particular zeal or attentiveness, go beyond the reach of speech.
Each elephant has his match appointed for fighting: some are always ready at the palace, and engage when the order is given. When a fight is over, if the combatants were kha'c'ah elephants, the bhois receive 250 dams as a present; but if other elephants, the bhois get 200 d.
The Daha'i'dar of kha'c'ah elephants receives one dam for every rupee paid as wages to the Bhois and Met’hs; the Mushrif is entitled to ½ d., and the Naqib to ¼ d. In the case of Halqah elephants, the Cadiwal, the Dahbashi, and the Bisti, are entitled to 1 d. for every rupee; and the Mushrif and the Naqib receive the allowance given for kha'c'ah elephants.