DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5832#0111
88
SCENES IN INDIA.
himself before the emperor, said firmly, " To attack
an unarmed creature with weapons is neither fair nor
manly. The Deity has given limbs and sinews to
man as well as to tigers, and has imparted reason to
the former in order to countervail the deficiency of
strength."
The omrahs declined such a perilous contest, when
the bold warrior, to the emperor's surprise and delight,
instantly cast aside his weapon and his shield and
prepared to engage the tiger unarmed. The encounter
is described with the most appalling minuteness by
the Mogul historians. After a desperate conflict, and
mangled by terrific wounds, the heroic Afkun forced
his arm down the throat of his adversary, grasped
him firmly by the root of the tongue and finally
strangled him. Thus were the secret expectations of
Jehangire defeated, and the fame of this extraordinary
exploit resounded through the empire.
Shere had scarcely recovered, when private orders
were given to the driver of a large elephant to way-
lay him and tread him to death. He saw the elephant
approach; the street was narrow and there were no
means of escape. Perceiving his danger, he ordered his
bearers to turn, but they threw down the palankeen
and fled. The Turkoman undismayed sprang instantly
upon his feet, drew his sword, and before the elephant
could accomplish its fatal purpose, severed its trunk
close to the root. The huge animal immediately
dropped and expired. Jehangire witnessed the action.
He had placed himself at a small lattice that overlooked
the street. He was perfectly amazed, but disappoint-
ment and vexation banished from his bosom the better
SCENES IN INDIA.
himself before the emperor, said firmly, " To attack
an unarmed creature with weapons is neither fair nor
manly. The Deity has given limbs and sinews to
man as well as to tigers, and has imparted reason to
the former in order to countervail the deficiency of
strength."
The omrahs declined such a perilous contest, when
the bold warrior, to the emperor's surprise and delight,
instantly cast aside his weapon and his shield and
prepared to engage the tiger unarmed. The encounter
is described with the most appalling minuteness by
the Mogul historians. After a desperate conflict, and
mangled by terrific wounds, the heroic Afkun forced
his arm down the throat of his adversary, grasped
him firmly by the root of the tongue and finally
strangled him. Thus were the secret expectations of
Jehangire defeated, and the fame of this extraordinary
exploit resounded through the empire.
Shere had scarcely recovered, when private orders
were given to the driver of a large elephant to way-
lay him and tread him to death. He saw the elephant
approach; the street was narrow and there were no
means of escape. Perceiving his danger, he ordered his
bearers to turn, but they threw down the palankeen
and fled. The Turkoman undismayed sprang instantly
upon his feet, drew his sword, and before the elephant
could accomplish its fatal purpose, severed its trunk
close to the root. The huge animal immediately
dropped and expired. Jehangire witnessed the action.
He had placed himself at a small lattice that overlooked
the street. He was perfectly amazed, but disappoint-
ment and vexation banished from his bosom the better