Elephant goad: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Indian - Elephant Goad - Walters 5161.jpg|upright|thumb|17th century Ankusha from South India]]

The '''elephant goad''', '''bullhook''', or '''ankus''' (from SanskritProto Dravidian'' {{IAST|aṅkuśaaṅkuśam}}'' or ''ankushaankusham'') is a tool employed by [[mahout]] in the [[elephant handling|handling and training of elephant]]s. It consists of a hook (usually bronze or steel) which is attached to a {{convert|60|-|90|cm|ft|abbr=on}} handle, ending in a tapered end.

A relief at [[Sanchi]] and a fresco at the [[Ajanta Caves]] depict a three-person crew on the war elephant, the driver with an elephant goad, what appears to be a noble warrior behind the driver and another attendant on the posterior of the elephant.<ref name="books.google.com.au">Nossov, Konstantin & Dennis, Peter (2008). ''War Elephants''. illustrated by Peter Dennis. Edition: illustrated. Osprey Publishing. {{ISBN|1-84603-268-7}}