Lion, Cheetah, and Elephant Hunts: Dynastic Identity and Legitimation

Shaha Parpia

Jump to Content

Chapter 5 Lion, Cheetah, and Elephant Hunts

Dynastic Identity and Legitimation

In: Taming Wilderness: The Mughal Hunt and Cultural Landscapes of the ShikÄrgÄh

Author:

Shaha Parpia

Shaha Parpia
Search for other papers by Shaha Parpia in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 89â119

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004749054_006

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

â¬42.00â¬35.00Â excl. VAT

Add to Cart

Redeem Access Token

Abstract

Much like the qamarghÄ, the lion hunt, as in the traditions of the ancients throughout western Asia, had the Ê¿izzat of being the singularly kingly pursuit, as it involved heroic game and was seen as an act of immense political-ideological importance. The practical aspects such as safeguarding the lives of the imperial hunters on the shikÄrgah given the hazardous nature of the hunt and unpredictability of the prey are also discussed in this chapter. The Mughal cheetah âhuntâ which included the thrill of the capture of the wild cheetah, its specialised and exacting training programme, and the technique of hunting alongside the companion animals is explored in this chapter. The challenges, hazards, and rewards of the elephant hunt given the symbolic, prestigious, and material value attached to the animal are also discussed. With all three hunts, the shikÄrgÄh became an articulated space within which the emperors exhibited allegiance to their ancient heritage. A conscious emulation of the hunting techniques long held in high esteem by successful dynasties and their links to legendary mythical Persian warrior-hunters gave the Mughals added political credibility. However, the personal involvement of Mughal royalty to improve age-old practices was seen as a monumental signal that the Mughals were in a league of their own.

Citation Info

Save
Cite
Email this content

Share link with colleague or librarian

You can email a link to this page to a colleague or librarian:
Email this content
or copy the link directly:

https://brill.edhh.ma/abstract/book/9789004749054/BP000015.xml
The link was not copied. Your current browser may not support copying via this button.

Link copied successfully

Collapse
Expand

Taming Wilderness: The Mughal Hunt and Cultural Landscapes of the ShikÄrgÄh

Series:Â Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 1 The Near and Middle East, Volume: 193

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004749054

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 03 Dec 2025

Subjects

Front Matter

Back Matter

Metrics

	All Time	Past 365 days	Past 30 Days
Abstract Views	639	639	564
Full Text Views	0	0	0
PDF Views & Downloads	1	1	0

African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
Art History	International Law	Philosophy
Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Biology	Languages and Linguistics	Social Sciences
Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

Subjects

Authors

Open Access

Product Information

Company

Contact

Chapter 5 Lion, Cheetah, and Elephant Hunts

Dynastic Identity and Legitimation

Abstract

Citation Info

Share link with colleague or librarian

Taming Wilderness: The Mughal Hunt and Cultural Landscapes of the ShikÄrgÄh

Table of Contents

Metrics

Metrics

Taming Wilderness: The Mughal Hunt and Cultural Landscapes of the ShikÄrgÄh