|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 27 February 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Different outlook : Elephantine love by Arefa Tehsin To reiterate the cliche - 'Truth is stranger than fiction', wouldn't be out of place in this story of love; love amongst the creatures whom we think are incapable of it but who are perhaps more capable of it, than we profess ourselves to be. The story dates back to the 18th century. This is the tale of Chandmurat and Laxmaniya, a very well known and distinguished elephant couple of those times. These two giant, stunning, spectacular and well-built beasts belonged to the emperor Maharaja Digvijay Singh of Balrampur State of Uttar Pradesh, India. In those days elephant raising was considered the leisure pursuit of the royalty. In the middle of the 18th century three animals, a couple of elephants and a rhinoceros, were gifted to Maharaja Digvijay Singh by his minister Harihar Anand. The royals, sovereign as well as the higher-class affluent people of the 18th century India took lots of pride in having stable of horses as well as Peelkhanas (a place for raising elephants). It was a common practice to have elephants in the military, but apart from that they were used for hunting (another of the royal pastimes), hauling goods as well as marching adorned and well ornamented elephants in processions. In certain households sturdy elephants were kept only for capturing wild elephants in the forests. They were also raised for elephant fights, another popular recreation of that era. The elephant gifted by Swami Harihar Anand to Maharaja Digvijay Singh had an exclusivity uniqueness about him. He was a young elephant of 10-12 years of age. Sir Digvijay Singh named the elephant Chandmurat and took extra care in raising it. So Chandmurat started growing under all the care and attention in the royal raising grounds of Balrampur State. When he stepped into youth, his brawny and rugged build, his two long and sharp white tusks and his elegance and grandeur made him an object of envy. Not only in the kingdom of Balrampur but also in all adjoining states Chandmurat became the entity of utmost admiration and marvel. This delightful creature would cast a spell on everyone who would have the chance to behold it. The aristocratic and eminent guests at Balrampur would feel honoured if this grand beast was brought over to be seen by them. Chandmurat was also proficient in defeating the wild elephants in elephant fighting contests. He had never tasted defeat and would always emerge victorious amongst the strongest of adversaries.. The only elephant at par with him was the elephant Bijli Prasad of the king of Nepal. As Chandmurat attained his youth he started becoming more and more aggressive. So much so that it became a problem for everyone. Even his keepers became afraid of him, and they would fear going near him to give food and water. The growing restlessness and ferociousness of this beautiful beast became a predicament for the people of Balrampur. After much consultation they decided that it was time for them to get a mate for the elephant that would calm him down. Then started the search by the experts for a mate for their beloved Chandmurat. Laxmaniya, a female elephant gifted by Jangbahaddur, the king of Nepal, to Maharaja Digvijay Singh, caught the eyes of the authorities given the task. Laxmaniya was chosen to be the finest partner for Chandmurat and they both were brought together. Then started the legendary love story. They both started coming close to each other. Chandmurat became a great admirer of Laxmaniya and slowly and steadily. Laxmaniya gained control and possession of him. Now the courtiers had found a means to control the unbounded waywardness of young Chandmurat. Whenever the elephant would create any trouble, they would bring Laxmaniya, and everyone would be amazed to see how this enormous unruly animal would go deferentially after her. It is said that once the Nawaab of Rampur had put a proposal to have a fight between his elephant and Chandmurat, which Maharaja Digvijay Singh had denied. This had hurt the ego of the Nawaab. Consequently one day Nawaab of Rampur deceitfully set loose his elephant on Chandmurat when he was tied. That day Chandmurat was in no mood for fight and fury. He was astonished to see this elephant approach him out of the blue. He stood there in silent indifference staring at him. But when he saw the stranger get too close to him he, without any admonition, just nonchalantly lifted his head and pierced the other with his two sharp tusks without moving from his place. Thus the elephant of Nawaab died then and there an untimely death because of the whim of the Nawaab. So was the strength of this mighty animal. Not long period had elapsed after this incident when the clouds of misfortune started looming large around this charming and happy couple. Suddenly Chandmurat fell in the clutches of some undetectable disease. People could see that he had become languorous and had started loosing his vividness and verve. The gradual decline continued and he lost his appetite for food. The king, courtiers and keepers sensed the gravity of the situation and tried once more to take the aid of Laxmaniya. But all these people sitting in anxious anticipation from Laxmaniya for bringing about some improvement in the health of their treasured elephant were in for a revelation. Now everyone was loaded with the dual responsibility of the well-being of both the elephants, which was a challenging task. Seeing the rapid decline of Laxmaniya's health due to not eating with Chandmurat, they thought it wise to take her away from him. Therefore, she was sent 10 miles away to another place where she could come out of her misery and despair, give away her fast, and recover her health. The eve of the life of this magnificent and majestic elephant Chandmurat of the State of Balrampur had arrived. At last on 17th May 1899, Chandmurat, the renowned elephant of Sir Digvijay Singh, departed. But then what happened to Laxmaniya? Laxmaniya, taken away sometime back from her soul mate, died within one week of the death of Chandmurat on 22nd May 1899. The superintendent of Balrampur Peelkhana Lala Babu believes that there is a painting of Chandmurat and Laxmaniya in the Kaiser Bagh museum, Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh State of India. Not only this, the skeleton of Chandmurat stands in Balrampur zoo to date. This remarkable and touching tale of love, unvoiced emotions and silent promises in these mute creatures, to the limit of sacrificing one's life for another, reminds me of Khalil Gibran who had correctly reflected, 'Love is stronger than life and life is stronger than death. It is sad that men divide amongst themselves. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
