XI 



gaged in drawing heavy field guns, carrying fodder and baggage, 

 penetrating jungle in tiger hunting, and conveying magnates in 

 religious and state processions. 



Para. 1706(a) of the Commissariat Code, 1882, states that in 

 Bengal occasionally elephants may be lent to officers for shoot- 

 ing excursions on payment of all expense incurred in excess 

 of the ordinary keep. In Bombay also such animals may 

 be obtained " to be ridden or used as beaters and not as baggage 

 animals" and the actual cost of keep together with the pay of 

 attendants must be defrayed by the hirer. In either Presidency 

 no animal is to be lent except he be in fit condition and he is to 

 be accompanied by instructions in writing as to the food and 

 care he will require, which instructions must be carried out. In 

 the event of the animal becoming injured the borrower must 

 show that every necessary care has been paid to him or be liable 

 for the full value of the beast, which in Bengal is put at Bs. 1,400. 



Authority is given in the Code (Para. 1714 and 1846) for a spe- 

 cial Howdah-Khaua or Shootur-Khana Equipment to be kept up 

 by the Commissariat for the use of the Viceroy and Commander- 

 in-Chief. Also in Bengal, when ambulance carts are not available, 

 elephants may be lent by the Commissariat, fitted -with Charja- 

 mahs (foot boards and ropes), for the purpose of taking hospital 

 patients out for an airing. 



In the Native States of India elephants still retain much of 

 their importance. Thus at the grand annual mustering of the 

 feudatories of the Nizam of Hyderabad large numbers march 

 past in the Lungur procession covered with gorgeous trappings 

 and painted in vivid colours interspersed with gilding. These , 

 animals gravely salaam with their trunks to the Nizam and his 

 ministers and guests. At other times they may be seen picketed . 

 in open lines, and those which belong to His Highness are lent to 

 British officers for shooting in the jungle or for journeys to see 

 "the City." Thus to some extent the fact that in the Madras 

 Presidency Government elephant may not be used for private 

 purposes is atoned to officers by the liberality of our Royal Allies. 

 Such Native States as Baroda and Indore are also remarkable 

 for their show of elephants — the former especially, since under 

 the late Guicowar were to be seen on festive occasions horrible 

 exhibitions of cruelty in the form of elephant baiting and combats. 



