1864.] 



f Elephant Statues in the Delhi Palace, 



37£ 



Memorandum on the Elephant Statues in the Delhi Palace. — By 

 Col. J. Abbott. 



[Received 2nd December, 1863.] 



In the last number of the Society's Journal/No. III. of 1863, 1 have 

 read with interest General Cunningham's remarks upon the life size 

 statues found in the Royal citadel at Delhi. 



As I happened to be at Delhi when these statues were disinterred, 

 I had opportunity of examining them and at once recognised the long 

 sought statues, mentioned by Bernier in these words. 



" The entrance of the fortress presents nothing remarkable besides 

 two large elephants of stone placed at either side of one of the princi- 

 pal gates. On one of the elephants is seated the statue of Jemel 

 (meaning no doubt Jye Mul) the renowned Eaja of Chitore. On the 

 other is that of his brother Polta (Putta). These are the brave 

 heroes who, with their still braver mother, immortalised their names 

 by the extraordinary resistance which they opposed to the celebrated 

 Acbar; defending the towns besieged by that great emperor with 

 unshaken resolution and being at length reduced to extremity, devoted 

 themselves to their country, and chose rather to perish with their 

 mother in sallies against the enemy, than submit to an insolent inva- 

 der. It is owing to this extraordinary devotion on their part, that 

 their enemies have thought them deserving of the statues here erected 

 to their memory. These two large elephants, mounted by the two 

 heroes, have an air of grandeur, and inspire me with an awe and 

 respect which I cannot describe." 



Could I have supposed that any one visiting Delhi, would not have 

 this account fresh in memory, I would earlier have troubled you with 

 the reference. 



Regarding Chittore, Ferishta says that when Akbar was besieging 

 Chittore, after the failure of two assaults, the emperor was so fortu- 

 nate as to shoot Jugmull, whom he had observed on the ramparts 

 directing the defence. On which the enemy lost heart, destroyed 

 their wives and children with fire, on a funeral pile with their slain 

 chief, and retiring to their temples refused quarter, but were slain, 

 (apparently without resistance,) to the number of ten thousand! 

 This Jugmull must be the same as the Jemel of Bernier. 



