Page:Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India.djvu/92

90 without scruple in such formal hunting expeditions during his earlier years, but when he began to 'exert himself strenuously' in the cause of the Law of Piety about 259, he suppressed the establishment of the Royal Hunt and substituted for the pleasures of the cl1ase the less exciting exercises of interviewing holy men, giving alms, and holding disputations on religious subjects during ‘ pious tours ’ similar to the pilgrimage wl1ich he undertook in 249.

Before the introduction of Buddhist puritanism the Maurya court used to amuse itself, not only with hunting, but with racing, animal ﬁghts, and gladiatorial contests. A curious form of racing, not now in vogue, was practised with a special breed of oxen, which are said to have equalled horses in speed. The car was harnessed to a mixed team with horses in the centre and an ox on each side. The course was about a mile and three quarters in length, and the king and his nobles betted keenly in gold and silver on the result. Animal ﬁghts were much enjoyed, elephants, rhinoceroses, bulls, rams, and other beasts being pitted against one another. Elephant fights continued to be a favourite diversion at Muhammadan courts up to reccnt times, and the unpleasant spectacle of a ram ﬁght may still be witnessed at the palaces of many Râjâs. Such entertainments, of course, are abhorrent to the spirit of Buddhism, and all came to an end when Asoka resolved that there should be no more 'cakes and ale .' His courtiers must have had