Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-09-09
Elephant Fight In India.

A CoRREsP0NDENToft the New York Clip
Der. writing from Calcutta, favors that pa
per with the following account Of battle
between elephants which occurred ct
Baroda, India:
AT last the elephant fight, which was
submitted to so many postp0nements, took
place June 4. Sir Madhava Rao arranged
to have carriages sent into camp for those
invited, and by four p. m, which was the
hour fixed, goodly number Of ladies and
gentlemen had assembled. Entertain
ments of this description, particularly ele-
plant fights, have, for some years past,
been weekly occurrence in the Gsek-
waree dairy. This entertainment, which
was the first of its kind during the reign
Of the present Gaekwar, created no little
sensation. From an early hour in the
afternoon the streets through the city to
the elephant stables were thronged by
gayly dressed crowds fastening on to
the 7amasaa A large arena of about
1900 yards by 1000 was inclosed by .
pukka wall of about ten or fifteen feet in
height. The entrances, which were just
enough to allow an elephant to pass
through, were blocked by cross.bars of
considerable thickness. On the walls, on
the surrounding trees and mounds, were
perched some thousands of natives in hol-
iday costume. Rows Of open umbrellas
of the gaudiest colors showed that the ma
tives felt the sun, and without the slight
est hesitation it can be said that the sun
was exceedingly oppressive, On one side
of the arena is an unprecedented building,
purposely erected for the Gaekwar to wit
ness the entertainments. II was not till
past FIVE o'clock that the heralds an
nounced the Gaekwar's arrival outside the
arena, and few minutes afterward Sir
Richard Meade appeared, leading His
Highness by the hand to the seats provided
for them. Mr.. Richey followed with the
Princess Tarabai, and then came Sir Mad
hava Rao and brilliant native suite.
AT a given signal two elephants, which
had oil this time occupied places facing
one another on the right and left ends Of
the arena, were let loose. The animals
were musth, and had, up to this time, been
heavily chained on their hind legs. Di-
rectly they were let loose host OF spear
men and budmashes ran before them at
tracing attention. No sooner did the ami
mails catch sight of one another than they
roared and rushed on in most dangerous
manner.
Everyone who had not seen an elephant
fight before anticipated tremendous
clash, but no-the animals advanced at
rapid pace, and no sooner did they come
within foot Of one another than they
made dead stop. The object of this was
most apparent. The keen way in which
one watched the others eyes showed that
an attack would be most guardedly COM
menced After one or two attempts on
both sides, one of the animals got his
trunk we'll over the others tusks. The
tusks then md, and the object OF
the animals was to get good
grip and push on This was done
about twenty or thirty times, and the
smaller animal actually once got his an
tagonist under such powerful grip that
he pinned him by the head TO the earth,
lifting him oil his hind legs completely to
a height of about two feet from the ground.
The spectators signified their appreciation
of this by loud huzzas. As the animals
separated and commenced another attack,
II was apparent that the smaller one was
getting the better OF il, and he brought his
antagonist TO bay In few minutes alter
ward, and, when he found the latter CIV.
ing In, didn't he punish himy lie backed
and returned with dreadful force, butting
his crestfallen foe with great force on the
side. The signal was then given TO re-
move the elephants, anumber OF rockets
were let off, and the mahouts taking ad.
vantage of the panic which seemed 70
seize the animals, very dexterously got
hold of their tails. This had wonderful
effect. The elephants allowed themselves
% be heavily chained and led away. An.
other couple were then let loose, but the
extreme weakness of one of the animals
brought the encounter TO very speedy
termination.
A wild elephant was then brought In,
and after being worried by the spearmen
and mahouts until IL was mad with rage
horsemsn, we'll mounted, rode up to 1t.
Without moments hesitation away
rushed the elephant after the horseman,
who waited until the former came within
almost foot OF him and then shoot oil
like an arrow. When thus so disappoint
ed, after having his prey almost within ms
grasp, the elephantreattacked with greater
energy; but II was uselcss--the horse tan
talized him to madness Once only cry
from the spectators revealed The horseman
with the elephants trunk touching his
waist, but In u second he shot away all
safe When this was over the horseman
was called up by order Of the Gaekwar,
and received from His Highness gold
bracelet worth $50 reals and pair Of hand
some cloths. Another elephant was then
brought ia, and, being annoyed by the
spearmen on foot, he managed to pull
turban from the head of one OF his tor
mentors, missing the man by very mar
row shave, indeed. Sir Richard Meade
here put stop TO the sport. The court
wrestlers were then ordered to perform,
and they were also rewarded The en-.
tertainment was over at about $50
O'clock