Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.108

c5.s2.t1.108

*(d) Elephants and hoards of bullion.*—The far-sightedness and wisdom of the Sultans is shown in making the possession of elephants and of hoards of gold and silver illegal unless they themselves allowed somebody their limited use, as a special favour. The elephants were most useful instruments in war and though the Muslims had shown their comparative ineffectiveness against well-trained horses, the elephants were by no means to be despised in warfare. No words are needed to explain the omnipotent power of gold and silver (which Barani aptly describes as *qazi-ul-hajat*, vide E.J., 78). Once a person secured the necessary number of elephants and a suitable quantity of gold, it did not take him very long to employ skilful soldiers, and to persuade the common people to accept him as their monarch, thus eventually superseding the reigning Sultan.¹ Elephants and gold were usually reserved for the sovereign among the Hindus as well as among the Muslims. It was only at a much later date that the gift of elephants became popular with the Sultans of Delhi.² The neighbourhood of Kalpi and the province of Orrisa were the favourite haunts of the wild elephants, and a number of villages near Manikpur (U.P.) followed the profession of catching and presenting them to the royal stables.³ The elephants were usually brought before the monarch every day to offer their salutations with ceremony.⁴