f.134a: Prince Awrangzeb & the elephant (plate 29) The Mughal emperors adopted the sport of elephant fighting and made it an imperial prerogative. Fights were usually held several times a week on the Jumna riverbank at Agra. They were normally viewed by the Emperor from the palace walls. However, on this occasion, 7 June 1633, Shah-Jahan and his three eldest sons have followed the fight on horseback. One of the elephants - named Sudhakar - has broken loose and is about to threaten the safety of the spectators. The Emperor's third son Prince Awrangzeb, in a moment of great heroism rides forward to stop the animal. By using a landscape format for this illustration, the only one in the Padshahnama, the artist has been able to portray a large expanse of the dried up riverbank, as it appears in June before the arrival of the monsoon rains. This particular fight and Prince Awrangzeb's actions are recorded at length in the text: 'this heroic stalker of elephants held firmly the reins of his fleet-footed steed and valiantly stood his ground. When the elephant drew near he raised his valiant arm and wounded the demonic beast on the forehead with a birchha [lance].'