A History of Agriculture in India v2.c65.s22: Animals Depicted in Sculpture Reliefs

v2.c65.s22.1

On the throne platform and the plinth of Vitthala temple are sculptures in relief which depict the life of the people. They tell us in a realistic manner about the activities of the people at Vijayanagar which no book on history can convey. Among them are hunting scenes. Hunters armed with long bows are depicted shooting arrows at deer. Warriors armed with lances are shown fighting lions. At the bottom are female dancers depicted in seductive poses (Fig. 15). Long rows of camels are carved. Some of the camels are ridden and others are being led. The presence of so many camels in these friezes indicates that they were used for transport of goods for the army of Vijayanagar rulers (Fig. 16). The greatest favourites of the Vijayanagar sculptors were horses. They are depicted slowly walking, prancing and galloping. On the top are majestic elephants ambling along, conscious of their dignity. Another panel shows a confrontation between a lion and an elephant (Fig.16).