Title
Elephant goad
Year/Period
17th-18th centuries
Region
Mysore or Tanjore, south India
Object Type
religious ankusha, bullhooks
Material
steel (alloy), brass (alloy), gold (metal)
Technique
casting (process), chasing (metalworking), engraving (action)
Dimension
Object size: L:38.6 x W:13.0
Accession No.
1998-01399
Collection of
NLB Type
Brasswork
This ankush (elephant goad) is elaborate and bears images of animals and vegetation. The handle is shapely with five simple bands circumvented by a pointed but blunt blade and a curved goad. The handle ends with a makara (mythical sea creature) motif with flaring mouth, and a prancing hound emerging from it. Besides used by elephant riders, embellished ankush such as this one seems to have appeared from Hindu courts where they were possibly used for religious rituals or other ceremonies of State. This is also a weapon found in the multiple arms of Hindu gods such as Ganesha.
