NHD7/1034

Caracal

‘Felis caracal’

Original inscriptions: ‘Syacash. The name of this animal is called SYAGOASH. This kind Animal has 2 colours both white and red. It seems an elegant rough and short hairs the size of which is a little bigger than a fox but it is very fierce. This Animal as well as a Bird called Bauze and the Horses of Cutchee Country were qualified to serve for many examples in the History of Mahomodeen, this name of syagoash is derived by that the elongated ears with hairs, this animals food is the flesh of the Sheep, Birds and Milk. Every day it feeds three times Viz: 8 O’Clock in the morning, 1 O’Clock in the daytime and 6 O’Clock in the evening. He eats 3 partridges in these 3 times. This will be found some time in hot country rarely in this part. The great kings or Bautches, Nabaubs or Princes are fond to rear this, tho it was young or old to Chace upon the hare, rabbits and kites, but as for his fierceness, he will lay hold the Sheep but could not be able to tear it to pieces. This Animal will chace in these three Cool months, Viz December, January and Feb as for the other nine months the eyes of this Animal being covered with a leather socket and kept it in the Chain in a dark place upon a Cot, had this animal was tame and not well chaced, take a raw nut and grind it well and make a large pill keep it within the flesh and feed it, then a vomit and purge will take place by which it will be very diligent for hunting. He will lurk and Craw upon any beast but if the beast ran away, then he will stood only expects to another. The people who exercise this animal in regard to keep it under their possession instills four or five drops of urine of the man into his mouth, he becomes very soon in the possession of the man. Both male and female are fit for hunting but this is the female kind. The explanation of the nature of this animal was stated by the experiencial after it was arrived in the Palace. * This mark is a leather cover use for the Eyes of the animal. Topun or cover of the eyes. This animal is 1 feet and 2 1/2 inches in height, 1 feet and 10 ¼ inch in length. The ears of the Animal are 4 inches high, the ears hair 2 inches long.’

Further inscriptions: ‘Mysore Coll. of Drawings.’ [erroneously ascribed in c.1880]

Artist:

Medium: Watercolour

Size:

Note: The caracal is depicted on a chain, and a red leather hood is detailed.