Keep Mailing: Re: [ ::: ♥Keep_Mailing♥ ::: ]™ FAKE ELEPHANT TRUNKS

Sunday 8 May 2016

Re: [ ::: ♥Keep_Mailing♥ ::: ]™ FAKE ELEPHANT TRUNKS

We shlould thank poor Vijaya Mallaya for having done something to save some rare breed of horses!

On Sat, May 7, 2016 at 8:29 PM, Mohamed Jaffer <mjkassam@gmail.com> wrote:

For those who are completely illiterate about horses, they, like dogs,
are born as different breeds. Not all of them look like the macho stallions we
see in the movies. Wikipedia lists over 320 different kinds of horses, each very
distinctive in its own way, and each used for very specific purposes by man.
The Marwari or Malani is a rare breed hailing from the Marwar or Jodhpur region of
the country. Distinctively known for their ambling gait, ear tips turning inwards and the
amazing ability to withstand desert heat, the Marwari horses were war horses,
historically known for their valour, loyalty and bravery in battles.
But why were they famous?
The Rajputs were the reason behind Marwari's fame. They would very cleverly
get fake elephant trunks put on Marwari war horses. Appearing as baby elephants,
the elephants carrying the enemies would instinctively not attack them,
giving the Rajputs an advantage of attacking first.
The horses would then rise on their hind legs, placing their front legs on the
elephant's head. This would give the rider a chance to attack the mahout with a
spear or a sword. A fight tactic that would end up paying high dividends.
The Battle of Haldighati
It was the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 when the iconic horse Chetak saved the life
of his master, Maharana Pratap, the last of the Rajputs, battling the Mughals,
who were led by Man Singh, another Rajput chieftain.
The painting shows Chetak wearing the false elephant trunk with his hooves on the
head of the main enemy elephant, allowing Maharana Pratap to throw a lance at
Akbar's general. The general was quick with his reflexes, so he ducked.
The mahout wasn't, and the lance killed him instantly.
Panicking in the situation, the elephant swung about, chopping off one of Chetak's legs
with the sword that was attached to his trunk. Even with a leg chopped off, Chetak
managed to carry Maharana Pratap safely to his brother, Shakti Singh's horse, on
which he escaped. Even though the Rajputs were defeated, the battle is held in high regard,
thanks to the incredible showcase of bravery and loyalty shown by the Marwari war horses.
The Marwari breed was so integral in a Rajput's life that people would often say that a
Rajput could never be separated from his horse, come what may.
But their reign didn't last long
The reign of the Marwari breed didn't last too long. As the British colonised the country,
they brought their own horses with them. Disliked by the English, the Marwaris eventually
lost out to imported Australian breeds. It only got worse for the horses when the British
eventually left in 1947. People couldn't afford to keep them anymore. Many were
castrated, abandoned, and some were even shot dead.
Although things have gotten better over the years for the Marwari breed thanks to the
rise of tourism, it's nowhere close to the life they once enjoyed. Alas, that life of glory has
become another tourist attraction in a trekking safari.

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