Mahouts Collection

An elephant fight at Lucknow during the Nawabi" as witnessed by Francois Bernier
5668951 An elephant fight at Lucknow during the Nawabi" as witnessed by Francois Bernier; (add.info.: Francois Bernier (1620-1688)

A squad of elephants saluting the Commandant at Dinapore, India, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
A squad of elephants saluting the Commandant at Dinapore, India, 1864. The Illustration affords another evidence of the elephant's sagacity

Mode of capturing wild elephants in Ceylon: taming a wild elephant, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Mode of capturing wild elephants in Ceylon: taming a wild elephant, 1864. Engraving of a photograph...of the great elephant-catching expedition to a place called Ebbewellepittia...so as to afford

Elephant Steeplechase at Rangoon, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Elephant Steeplechase at Rangoon, 1858. The British entertaining themselves in Burma. The officers of the garrison at Rangoon wound up their Monsoon Meeting with two pony steeplechases

Crossing a River in the Terai, 1876. Creator: C.R
Crossing a River in the Terai, 1876. The future King Edward VII hunting tigers in India....the elephant is very careful, feeling the ground with his trunk for the edge of the nullah

The Prince of Wales's Elephant charged by a Tiger, 1876. Creator: C.R
The Prince of Wales's Elephant charged by a Tiger, 1876. The future King Edward VII shoots tigers during a royal visit to India

Beating the Jungle for Tigers, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Beating the Jungle for Tigers, 1876. The future King Edward VII shoots tigers during a royal visit to India. The following telegram was published in London on Thursday: "Camp of Nepaul, Feb. 21

The Prince of Wales's Animals from India, 1876. Creator: J. G
The Prince of Wales's Animals from India, 1876. Thaars; an incident on the road; Musk Deer; Wild Cat...Jung Pershad and Sepa Kali...two elephants

Single Leaf of Elephants on a River Bank, late 10th century AH/AD 16th-early 11th century AH... Creator: Unknown
Single Leaf of Elephants on a River Bank, late 10th century AH/AD 16th-early 11th century AH/AD 17th century. This Mughal painting depicts elephants on the bank of a river in a rocky landscape with a

The Prince of Wales Tiger-Shooting with Sir Jung Bahadoor: the Critical Moment...1876. Creator: Unknown
The Prince of Wales Tiger-Shooting with Sir Jung Bahadoor: the Critical Moment, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876

Arch at Colombo, Ceylon, on the occasion of the Royal Visit, from a sketch by one... 1876. Creator: Unknown
Arch at Colombo, Ceylon, on the occasion of the Royal Visit [of the Prince of Wales], from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876

The Prince giving sugar-cane to the elephants at the rehearsal of the Perahara, Kandy... 1876. Creator: Unknown
The Prince giving sugar-cane to the elephants at the rehearsal of the Perahara, Kandy, Ceylon, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. The future King Edward VII on a royal visit to India

The Prince of Wales in the Terai: crossing a Nullah in the Jungle...1876. Creator: W. J. P
The Prince of Wales in the Terai: crossing a Nullah in the Jungle, facsimile of a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876

The Prince of Wales in the Terai: Shooting a Bear...1876. Creator: Unknown
The Prince of Wales in the Terai: Shooting a Bear, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. The future King Edward VII in India

An Elephant Battery in India; The Morning Bath before Breakfast, 1890. Creator: Unknown
An Elephant Battery in India; The Morning Bath before Breakfast, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 41. January to June, 1890

Elephants handling logs, illustration from Helpers Without Hands by Gladys Davidson, published in 1919 (colour litho)
IL370488 Elephants handling logs, illustration from Helpers Without Hands by Gladys Davidson, published in 1919 (colour litho) by Noble, John Edwin (1876-1941); Private Collection

Royal elephants, ornate howdahs, mahouts, India
Royal elephants with ornate howdahs and mahouts, India, c.1880 s

The elephant Khanderao Bahadur killing Sham Mahavat, ca. 1700. Creator: Unknown
The elephant Khanderao Bahadur killing Sham Mahavat, ca. 1700

Maharana Raj Singh observing an elephant fight, ca. 1670-1675. Creator: Unknown
Maharana Raj Singh observing an elephant fight, ca. 1670-1675

Jahangir Watching an Elephant Fight, ca. 1605. Creator: Farrukh Chela
Jahangir Watching an Elephant Fight, ca. 1605

Maharaja Raj Singh in Procession with Members of His Court, ca. 1700. Creator: Attributed
Maharaja Raj Singh in Procession with Members of His Court, ca. 1700

Washing an elephant in the river, Colombo, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Washing an elephant in the river, Colombo, Ceylon, 1898. Flussufer bei Colombo. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C. W. Allers

Elephants on the banks of the Mahaweli River, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Elephants on the banks of the Mahaweli River, Ceylon, 1898. An der Ufer der Mahaweliganga. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C. W. Allers

Elephants bathing in the Mahaweli river, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Elephants bathing in the Mahaweli river, Ceylon, 1898. Badende Elefanten im Mahaweliganga. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C. W. Allers

Sri Lanka - Elephants (with their Mahouts) bathing in river
Sri Lanka - Elephants (with their riders) bathing in river. Ann elephant rider, trainer, or keeper is known as a Mahout. Date: circa 1920s

Elephant steeplechase at Rangoon
An elephant steeplechase which took place at Rangoon, on the eastern branch of the Irrawaddy river on 25 May 1858. British officers of the garrison at Rangoon rode the 13 elephants dressed in jockey

Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) domesticated adult, carrying mahout and tourists, walking in water, Sri Lanka, February

Picture No. 10761020
Indian / Asian Elephant - Bathing and cleaning session with their mahouts (Elephas maximus) Date:

Elephant and mahout, Kaziranga, Assam, India, Asia

The Maharajahs elephants, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Asia

Mahouts and elephants, Amber Fort Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

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Mahouts, the skilled handlers of majestic elephants, have played a significant role throughout history. From assisting in logging operations to being an integral part of royal processions, these caretakers have been at the forefront of elephant management. In the early 1900s, Gladys Davidson's illustration from "Helpers Without Hands" depicted mahouts guiding elephants as they skillfully maneuvered logs. This image showcased their expertise and strength in handling these magnificent creatures. India, known for its rich cultural heritage, has long been associated with royal elephants adorned with ornate howdahs. These regal animals were accompanied by mahouts who commanded respect and admiration as they guided them through grand processions. The historical photographs capture captivating moments involving mahouts and their loyal companions. In one image from the 1860s, a group of H E The Viceroys Elephants can be seen donning state trappings under the watchful eyes of their dedicated handlers. However, not all encounters between humans and elephants were peaceful. Historical accounts reveal instances where tragedy struck during elephant fights. One such incident occurred around 1700 when Khanderao Bahadur fatally injured Sham Mahavat in a tragic turn of events witnessed by an unknown creator. Elephant fights also served as entertainment for royalty and spectators alike. Maharana Raj Singh observed one such spectacle around 1670-1675 while Jahangir himself watched an elephant fight in 1605; both scenes captured by talented artists who immortalized these moments forever. Beyond India's borders lies Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), where Christian Wilhelm Allers' photographs depict everyday life involving elephants and their mahouts. Washing these gentle giants in rivers like Mahaweli was a common sight that showcased the bond between man and animal. Elephants bathing joyously along the banks of Mahaweli River further exemplified this harmonious relationship between humans and nature - a scene that resonated with tranquility and serenity.