Khedda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Khedda system was a technique used in southern India mainly Karnataka to capture and tame wild elephants for domestic and public (like in temples, in military) use. An elaborate trap consisting of ten to twenty deep ditches, covered lightly with leaves and branches. The herd of wild elephants then was encircled with men, tamed elephants and driven to the trap with the help of loud noise and disturbance. Once the elephants fell into the trap, they were starved and injured and rendered weak. Then with the help of already tamed elephants, the untamed ones were approached, chained, and taken for training. Many elephants died during this process and was considered barbaric, Khedda system is seldom used now a days as the number of elephants have decreased and the need also has diminished. Khedda system of capturing elephants is used very sparingly of late and more humane method is adopted.
