Hunting Excursions of the Sultans of Delhi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62656/Keywords:
Royal privilege and pastime; Ritualistic animal sacrifice; Medicinal use of animal flesh; Cave paintings (Mudumalai, Bhimbetka); Primitive hunting tools (spears, bows, arrows); Shikarkhanah (Hunting department); Amir-i-Shikar (Chief huntsman); Falconry (baz, gaz, charkh, shahin, basha); Trained cheetahs and bloodhounds; Karkhanas (breeding/training centers); Apprentice system (ustad); Shikaristans and Shikargah; Hunting regulations (game preserves); Kushk-i-lal (Red Mansion); Courtly pageantry (dholak, mounted guards).Abstract
Hunting has played a dual role in human history as a necessity for survival and as a leisure pursuit. Initially vital for food and sustenance, it evolved into a recreational and status-driven activity, particularly among the elite. Evidence from prehistoric cave paintings to ancient texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata highlights its deep cultural roots. Over time, hunting became embedded in religious practices, notably among the Vedic Aryans, who also used it for ritual sacrifices. The Mauryan Empire marked a shift, emphasising forest conservation under Emperor Ashoka, who curtailed hunting in line with Buddhist values. However, with later foreign invasions and the decline of Buddhism, royal hunting resurged, especially under the Delhi Sultans. From the Slave to the Tughlaq dynasties, rulers maintained elaborate hunting departments, trained animals, and organised grand expeditions, often involving thousands. These hunts were not only displays of power and skill but also offered employment and food distribution. Hunting was institutionalised, with departments like Shikarkhanah and officials like Amir-i-Shikar overseeing the practice. By the Lodhi period, it remained a significant royal pastime and even served political ends. This long-standing tradition reflects the shifting intersection of survival, ritual, politics, and royal identity in Indian history.
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