The City Palace Preface

Aagad
At a glance:

The City of Udaipur with an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerizing views, Palaces, hills and Lakes, is a must-visit destination in India. The City Palace of Udaipur is a popular tourist destination, known for its history, culture and architecture.

One of the most interesting events of the bygone era were 'The Elephant Fights'. These fights were initially introduced by the Chouhan dynasty of Ajmer in 12th century; the place is even famous today as a tourist spot, situated 22 kms away from Tonk district of Ajmer and known as Hathi Bhata (The Elephant Stone).

The word 'Aagad' is a Mewari dialect word in connection with the Elephant fights. The word implies, 'to come forward in aggression.' The two male elephants (Hathis) facing each other would become aggressive and barge towards the other to fight. This is known as Aagad.

The place for the fights is also known by the same name. It is believed that before the combat, the elephants were offered the juice of grapes and mulberries, to intoxicate them for the fight. Scholars have traditionally assumed that this juice was fermented, meaning that the elephants were given some kind of wine, prior to the fight.

There were four Hathi Aagads in Udaipur before Independence, one in The City Palace, Udaipur, and the others in Govardhan Villas, Chogan, presently known as Gandhi ground, and at Naharmagra respectively. But with the course of time and change in constructions, only one Hathi Aagad is in existence i.e. at The City Palace, Udaipur.

The Hathi Aagad, The City Palace, Udaipur was constructed by Maharana Sangram Singh II (r.1710 - 1734 CE). The wall of Aagad is approximately 6ft in height, 6ft wide and length is 76ft. The wall has a hole in between, which was used to tie the elephants from both the ends when the fight was on so that neither of the two would move, except to the desired allocated space for the fights. The dimension of the wall made it impossible for the two elephants facing each other in the fight to get closer to the other and therefore not cause any injury.

They fought with their trunks, with attempts to pull the other; the elephant which first touched the wall with its legs was considered defeated.

The Elephant fights were organized on the occasions of Paat-Utsav (A traditional sacred ritual prevails celebrating the anniversaries of murti-consecration (Prana Pratishtha) of mandirs known as Paat-Utsav, the word is a compound of Paat and Utsav - festival. Paat is derived from Patti, a strip of garment tied on the head of a murti from this evolved Paat) of Shree Eklingnath ji Maharaj and on birthdays of the Maharanas of Mewar

After the Independence of India, the last elephant fight, in Udaipur, was witnessed in the year 1951, in the City Palace Aagad.

Who made the Hathi Aagad and when?

It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710 - 1734 CE) in 1711.

Maharana Sangram Singh II of Udaipur; Process: Gouache on Vasli.; Period: c. 1900-1920; Acc.No.: 2012.19.0039-00008

Why was Hathi Aagad made?

The Hathi Aagad at the city palace, Udaipur was made for the purpose of entertainment on the occasions of PaatUtsav of Shree Eklingnath ji Maharaj and birthdays of the Maharanas of Mewar.


Last elephant fight; Photographer: Pannalal Prabhu Lal Verma (attrib.); Process: Gelatine silver print.; Period: c. 1951; Acc.No.: 2008.06.0693

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