A History of Agriculture in India v2.c80.s3.3

v2.c80.s3.3

Jahangir also made observations on Indian animals, including the mountain goat. ‘I found the flesh of this animal more delicious than that of all wild animals, although its skin is exceedingly ill-odoured, so much so that even when tanned the scent is not destroyed,’ observed Jahangir. He continues, ‘I ordered one of the largest of the he-goats to be weighed; it was 2 *maunds* and 24 *sers*, equal to 21 foreign *maunds* (Persian). I ordered a large ram to be weighed, and it came to 2 *maunds* and 3 *sers* Akbari, equal to 17 Persian (*wilayati*) *maunds*. The largest and strongest of the wild asses weighed 9 *maunds* and 16 *sers* equal to 76 Persian (*wilayati*) *maunds*. I have frequently heard from hunters and those fond of the chase that at a certain regular time a worm develops in the horns of the mountain ram, and that this worm causes an irritation which induces the ram to fight with his hind, and that if he finds no rival he strikes his head against a tree or a rock to allay the irritation. After enquiry it seems that the same worm appears in the horn of the female sheep, and since the female does not fight the statement is clearly untrue. Though the flesh of the wild ass is lawful food and most men like to eat it, it was in no way suited to my taste.'³