A large bull elephant - suddenly crazed from the heat or from overwork - twists at his front and back foot chains nearly breaking free. He is surrounded by his handlers who rush to jab him with lances and wave swirling fireworks intended to subdue the enraged animal. His riding mahout holding a golden pointed goad 𝐆is being thrown from his saddle as two others are beiꦛng trampled underfoot as blood is being spilled all around. We can feel the weight and force of the animal in its movements - as it becomes more agitated. Set against a green grassy ground with no horizon line in sight.

This ver🥀y fine painting is almost surely from the kingdom of Bundi in Rajasthan where, along with neighboring Kotah, specialized in depictions of large animals in action elephants, tigers and even at times rhinoceros'. Despite the sharp lances employed by his desperate handlers it is unlikely that such an elephant would be killed unless absolutely necessary - given the importance placed on such an animal in the royal stables. Our present example depicts an elephant that appears to be a royal favorite - he wears a fine blanket and is caparisoned with a necklace of small gold bells. His tusks are cut and

wrapped in gold ornaments.