Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c8.s2.47

v1.c8.s2.47

In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in southern India the elephants were housed in stables, and were looked after by a large number of officials, who maintained order even in the matter of feeding them. 'Abdur Razzāq informs us that the stables of these animals were opposite the offices of the Minister.³ The custom of having separate stables for the royal elephants continued till the days of the Ikkēri Nāyaks. Pietro della Valle speaks of them while narrating the events of the reign of Veṅkaṭappa Nāyaka.¹ As regards the details of the manner by which they fed the elephants in Vijayanagara times, we have to read the accounts of 'Abdur Razzāq. "Each has a separate stall; the walls are very strong and high, and are covered with strong wood. The chains on the necks and backs of the elephants are firmly attached to the beams above; if the chains were bound any other way, the elephants would easily detach themselves. Chains are also bound upon the fore-legs".² This is how they were fed: "Every morning this animal (i.e., the white elephant of the king) is brought into the presence of the monarch; for to cast eye upon him is thought a favourable omen. The balance elephants are fed on kichū, which after being cooked, is turned out from the cauldron before the elephant, and after being sprinkled with salt and moist sugar, is made into a mass, and then balls of about two mans (maunds) are dipped in butter, and are then placed by the keepers in the mouths of the animals. If any of these ingredients is forgotten, the elephant is ready to kill its keeper, and the king also severely punishes his negligence. They are fed twice a day in this way".³ We have already noted the remark of Barbosa that in all this there was "much order and arrangement".