 Reference Base  The Prince of Wales in India; or, from Pall Mall to the P... |
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Gay, J.D., 1876. The Prince of Wales in India; or, from Pall Mall to the Punjaub. London, Chatto and Windus , pp. i-viii, 1-398
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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Prince of Wales was King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
Traveled in India in 1875-1876
Baroda Nov 1875
Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Maharaja of Baroda (1863-1939)
Frontispiece: Two rhinos fighting each other. Both have one (rather large) horn. Two men with spears on right, one man with spear on left. Large crowd in background watching.
[89]The next contest on the list was between two huge rhinoceroses, and, as the beasts were led in, all necks were craned forward and all eyes strained to look at them. One had a long sharp horn, and was a fearful animal to behold; the other, thickly set, had a blunter horn, but, if possible, a more powerful back. So soon as they were loosed they rushed at each other with tremendous determination. For a time they struggled hard to push their respective prows into each other's necks, but to no purpose. In vain two men on each side patted their horny sides and invited them with loud cries to continue the battle; their encouragement was useless. Still one was a little afraid of the other, for suddenly the owner of the blunted horn turned round, and, with snorts like the magnified grunts of a frightened pig, rushed from the struggle. Onlookers held their breath, for the keepers were not far from being run over, and consequently crushed. But, as luck would have it, they ran away, and 'live to fight another day.' More than this, men procured buckets of water, and emptied them over the backs of the gladiators, stroked and patted them, prodded them with long spears, and in other ways urged them to deeds of valour. As soon as the animals came close together again and felt each other's weapons of war, they simultaneously snorted and scampered off, and positively refused to fight. It was clearly a drawn battle, and Sir Madava Eao ordered the creatures to be led away forthwith.
[86]
It had been announced that in the afternoon there would bel an elephant fight and other sports, and I made the best of my way to the arena to see the sports of which I had heard. This was a large, oblong space, strongly walled in, entered through a gateway, across which three thick bars of wood were thrown. Inside this space were three structures, which were at once noticeable — a huge grand stand of four storys; a circular structure of brickwork, about five feet high, with a tree in the centre, and two flights of steps cut in the stone ; and a circular walled structure, looped with holes just large enough to allow of the ingress of a man — particularly a flying, terror-stricken, elephant-hunted man — should such a one need its hospitable shelter. Overhanging the walls were trees rich in foliage, forming a splendid background from whatever side you scanned the picture. On the tops of the walls thousands of Mahrattas, in all kinds of costumes, were perched, their faces full of glee, and their arms full of children ; on hills, which overlooked the arena were thousands more of them ; peering in at the various gates between the bars were hundreds again ; and inside the arena, about one hundred athletic men, some with spears, others with flags, and the rest with nothing save ropes and chains, were standing about waiting to take part in the promised fun. Outside the gates were cages full of tigers, rhinoceroses, buf faloes, and rams.
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