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Show fll,en King Died in India, Elephant Chose New Ruler The importance of elephants in ,dian history dates from the viic period, when they were In-Ivs In-Ivs king-makers. They were supped sup-ped to be gifted with an unerr- instinct to spot the real scion f the royal blood. Whenever a I L died childless, the royal ele-b,t ele-b,t was called upon to solve L difficulty. He was gaily caparisoned and en a garland to put around the Let of whomsoever he chose in Sis rambles for the quest of a successor. suc-cessor. Wandering through the hjjs and dales, the elephant would come upon the rightful ruler of ' his choice, and put the garland around his neck. Thus, sometimes a beggar's bowl was exchanged lor a kingly crown. In this way was the new king found, and the courtiers who followed fol-lowed the royal animal flocked to his standard and swore fealty to him. |