A History of Agriculture in India v2.c80.s1.9

v2.c80.s1.9

Jahangir enjoyed a comparatively peaceful reign which enabled him to indulge in hunting and gardening. There are a number of paintings in which he is depicted hunting lions and antelopes. We reproduce one in which he is shown hunting a nilgai. In the background is a cheeta mauling a deer. In the foreground are carcases of antelopes (Fig. 46). Jahangir was endowed with a keen sense of observation, and made accurate observations on animals, birds and plants in his memoirs, the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri. He also maintained an aviary and a menagerie in which he carried out his tests and experiments, including weighing and measurements of birds and animals. Knowing the tastes of the Emperor, his nobles, traders and foreign visitors presented him rare birds and animals.