Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s3.t1.21

c7.s3.t1.21

Shikar (the chase).—All other amusements and exercises, however, gave way to the chase in excitement and stimulation. Voluminous literature was compiled by the Arabs on the study and breeding of hunting animals and birds, long before the Muslims were established in Hindustan.⁵ The Muslims brought all these advanced traditions of the chase with them to India together with the memories of the Sessanian monarchs, who were famous hunters of their age. In other parts of Asia, the same ruling passion for the chase and the same elaborate equipment had gone still further ahead.¹ Almost every important monarch from the time of the founder of the Slave dynasty, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, to the reign of Akbar, was fond of the chase and spent as much time over it as he could spare from his royal duties and other pleasures. Even when the Sultans were not very fond of hunting they maintained large establishments for Shikar.² The Rajput were similarly fond of the chase; in fact the famous spring hunt, known as the ‘Aheria’ was sacred to Gauri, and no means were neglected for slaying boar on this historic occasion in the month of Phalguna. The hour of sallying forth was fixed in all solemnity by the astrologers; and the success or failure of the occasion determined the fortune for the rest of the year.³