Animals in Uniform. Ghor Kalyug

Ghor Kalyug

Tik-tk tik-tok the overloaded buggy approached the red brick imposing colonial building basking in the North Indian fog laden sunlight. Acres of golden oats surrounded the architectural marvel, since the time the great “ William Moorcroft” the first Superintendent of the stud, First English Vet, adventurer, inventor, explorer and one of the most important character of “The Great Game” introduced oats in India (For further insight in his exploits, refer book – Beyond Bukhara). “Stallion Stable – 1818” announced a sign board. The Stallion Stable of Stud Farm Pankot, producing famous equines of Indian Army was reputedly the largest of its kind in Asia. It was here that the Sires (fathers) of all the athletic sports horses, Cavalry and Presidents Bodyguard’s majestic mounts, mighty Mule Artillery and wily Mule GS were housed since Company Bahadur’s days.

The buggy was being pulled by two magnificent, huge Chestnut Halflinger gelds – Golu and Molu, childhood friends. Their huge feet fell in perfect cadence tik-tok tik-tok on the weathered cobbled pathway. Halflingers must be the most beautiful horses, thought Chottelal, the driver perched atop the freshly cut best quality maize reserved for the VIP occupants of the heritage building. Golu and Molu were huge chestnut (like blonde) gelds, 650 kg each with beautiful, full golden mane and tail, an elephantine muscular body and massive feet that fell thunderously on the cobbled stones. Chottelal was justifiably proud of his horses as he touched one rump with his whip and yelled “ Wohoa”!

Suddenly the air was pierced by cacophonous braying. Golu – Molu looked sideways towards left. There he was - there childhood Bete noire  “Stallion  - JULIUS” a Nameplate was fixed to one of the MS poles of the open individual stall. The Jackass was calling them loudly! “ Hey buddies!! Its my first day to serve!! The “Suhag Din” you know. I wonder who is the dame waiting for me. I heard it’s a special one on inauguration!!! Dhain-choo Dhain-choo!

Flashback 5 yrs-

The little donkey foal came weeping to his mother. “Ma those kids in the children park don’t play with me. Infact, they kicked me when I approached a filly called Barbie. They say you are a bloody Donkey, we won’t play with you! You are a Dhobhi ka gadha na ghar ka na ghat ka. We are mighty gazelle, with wind of desert in our lungs. World was conquered on horse power. We pulled chariots of Krishn-Arjun, Hector and Caeser, We carried Alexander, Napolean and Pratap. Don’t you dare to cast a glance at our girl Barbie you lowly ass”. Neeru felt a spear piercing her heart. “Son, it’s the way of the world. We donkeys have faced this apartheid for centuries. Its more so because of foolishness of these humans. You know, in absolute terms we may have served them more than horses. And that too with a fraction of food and comforts. But we have been stamped as ugly and foolish. But don’t worry, in this farm you have chances of making a better life than all those horse foals”.

“How Mom? Asked Sundar.

Look, you are descendent of mighty Ramzes. He was your Great great Grandfather. He holds the record of being the largest Donkey in world till date. He sired 500 children. At the time of independence, India and Pak almost came to war on issue of his custody! So, you have the genes. Just pick good habits, focus on exercise, good food, manners and personal hygiene and one day you will live in palace with a harem while all these evil kids will be your servants!

1 Year Back

140cm - barked Ramdhari from between his tobacco stained irregular teeth, gazing in the measuring stick. The young stock Daroga was assisting the Board of Officers came from Delhi “ Saheb Yoo aur uchha hoga abhi”. He wiped the grime from his face with his arm sleeve. The presiding offr nodded “ He’s a fine bloke isn’t he? This Sundar chap. Long neck, proportionate limbs, balanced feet, well muscled loins, honest eyes,honest perfect teeth, noble face, deep breast I have not seen a better specimen! It’s a Yes from me”. Captain Vivek, Incharge of Young stock, gleamed with pride - “ Sir, he is descendent of mighty Ramzes whose grave I showed you yesterday in Stallion Stable. And my Daroga and team raises them well!”. “Yeah beautiful, muscular and no vices as per Daroga. I think we don’t have many left from the endangered French Poitou breed!  My yes too” Member 1 chipped. “ No entries of sickness in history sheet, YES” Member 2 added. “Teri life ban gayee Sundar. Aish karr” Ramdhari was telling the young Jackass. “Now onwards he will be called Julius and he will be stallion for Mountain Artillery (MA) Mules” Announced the Presiding offr, Stamped the History sheet  and shouted – Next.

Next day Golu and Molu were assigned to Brake Stable and castrated after few days and got “Geld” stamped on the History Sheet.

Sundar, now Julius was shifted to the stallion stable, where he got an air cooled fly/mosquito proof room, with choice feeds fortified with vitamins, best green fodder, Hay for bedding and a personal loosebox filled with sand to roll and relax. Whole day instrumental music played. VIP visitors in the Army often came to stallion stable and offered carrots to click selfies with him. Besides the athletic thoroughbreds, muscular Hanoverians and agile Arabs, Julius for his size was a top attraction. He was at least 3-4 times size compared to street donkeys – Afterall he was no street Donkey. He had French connexion – and so related to Eiffel Tower – He was likewise High and Mighty and Strong!!

He was assigned a personal groom Santa. Santa had an affable nature, he was young and lanky and resourceful. For first few days he had befriended him with green grass guchhi, speaking to him softly. Then over few days Julius allowed him to pat him on the back. He enjoyed it immensely when Santa started giving him a brisk massage, taking care of him from head to tail as per mandated 56 min. It included cleaning of their face, ears, eyes, tail, inguinal region with clean wet cloth. 4 minutes at end were to check and take care if something was amiss. After few weeks Santa started riding Julius for morning exercise, which Julius found to be enjoyable as they both explored the farm.

Back to present –

Today was the special day. First service of Julius. Santa had put in 2 hrs to groom and prepare him. “Hey Julius, Aaj tum ne apne purkhon ki aur meri izzat rakhni hai” He whispered in the large ear as he put a mala of gainda in his neck and hit a coconut on the floor breaking it. Then he slipped the leather head collar and bit on his head and led him to the breeding area. A beautiful mare was waiting, all decked up and held by her groom. “ Chorra Shaanda hai, Santa”! Stallion stable Daroga Karna appreciated as they entered the paddock. Karna was the seniormost syce, had put in 40 years of service. He was sporting his trademark starched white Kurta Payjama, with a matching pagdi. A well oiled lathi supported him and disguised slight limp he had in his left leg – a result of a devastating kick from a 800 kg Norriker few years back. He was the patriarch. Guys called him Chacha or Tau as per their age. He had held a number of posts on the union over the years and had a firm grip on the HR. As his son had joined the stud recently, Karna was contentedly looking forward to his retirement next month, when he would be spending days with his grand daughters and evenings drinking with other veterans.

The Munshi – Dukhi Ram, announced loudly – “Julius for Barbie”

Julius’s heart skipped a beat. Barbie was one-sided love of his life, love at first sight too. And at that instant, the virgin was waiting for him. His eyes met Barbie’s. They were happy and inviting. Julius aka Sundar smiled at her. She smiled back coyly.

Meanwhile, the fodder Buggy was waiting few mtr away as maize was being unloaded. Golu and Molu were absorbed in the scene unfolding before their eyes unmindful of the biting midges.

At last Golu hinneyed resignedly – “ Ghor Kalyug hai Molu. Ghodon ko nahi mil rahi Ghaas. Gadhe kha rahe Chayavanprash”!

Instead of feeling anger, Julius couldn’t stop smiling as he swatted a fly on his hip with a swoosh of his tail and walked back steadily past the buggy, with his head held high to begin his “service for the Army”!!!

Vikas Thakur