Man has walked the earth and had many conquests, creating his own history to revel in. It is curious how they have always had some animal or the other at every step in making this history. Many animals have offered their services or been the inspiration for mankind, and have, thus, become a significant part of human history while building their own. Let us read the stories of some historically famous animals.
1. Chetak, the Warhorse
Chetak was the horse ridden by Mewar’s Rajput ruler, Maharana Pratap, during the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. Chetak, a Marwari horse, showed the valiance and loyalty that was characteristic to his breed, as he stuck by Rana Pratap till the very end. When Man Singh, the Mughal commander, charged at Pratap atop an elephant, Chetak raised his hooves and struck the elephant’s head, giving Pratap, a chance to throw his lance, which missed Man Singh, and killed the mahout. In the clash that ensued, the elephant’s tusk tore through Chetak’s leg, and crippled him, but, Chetak refused to succumb to the pain, and carried Pratap away to help him escape so that the Rajput would have some hope left to rule Mewar. He ran at top speed, but, collapsed into the lap of death while trying to leap across a pool. His story of bravery is immortalized in the form of a statue in Rajsamand, and in Rajasthani folklore.
2. Stubby, the Dog who served as a Sergeant
Sergeant Stubby, a Pit bull, was one patriotic dog. He was the first war-dog who offered his services to the US during World War I. He showed up at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1916/17, where he made friends with Corporal Robert Conroy with whom he travelled to France. There, performed many military tasks, and, for 18 months, served with the infantry in the trenches. He had an acute sense of sound and smell, and used these to warn soldiers, locate and comfort wounded soldiers and save lives. He captures a German spy, all by himself. During his participation in four offensives and seventeen battles, Stubby was wounded several times. He returned to the US in 1918 and was showered with many honours, medals and acknowledgements. At the age of about nine or ten years, he passed away on the 4th of April, 1926
3. Cher Ami, the Homing Pigeon
During the World War I, Cher Ami served the US Army Signal Corps in France in 1918. In the battle against Germany, 500 men were trapped in a depression on the hillside with no food or ammunition. They are getting killed and wounded after being surrounded by the Germans. On top of that, they were also receiving friendly fire from allied troops who were unaware of their location. Major Whittlesey, after two failed attempts to send for help, rested his last hope on Cher Ami and dispatched her. She flew through raining bullets, and eventually fell. But, instead of giving up, she rose and flew for 25 miles with a bullet in her chest. When she reached, she was blind in one eye, and one of her legs was dangling. But, the note she carried, which said, “We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.” helped save the Lost Battalion. She was given medical care, a wooden leg, awards, and the position in the mascot of the Department of Service. She died a hero, on 13th June, 1919.
4. Balto, the Sled Dog
Balto was a sled dog of the Siberian Husky breed, born in 1919. In 1925, when there was a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, the antitoxin to combat the disease was being transported from Anchorage in Alaska to Nenana by train. From there, dog sled was responsible for carrying the antitoxin to Nome. Balto led his team on the final leg of this serum run to Nome. Thus, he helped save the lives of many with his service and leadership. The annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an event held to commemorate Balto and his run. On 14th march, 1933, this brave dog breathed his last at the age of 14 years.
5. Huberta, the Explorer Hippopotamus
Huberta, initially mistaken as a male and named Hubert, embarked upon a journey from St. Lucia Estuary in Zululand to the Eastern Cape, in South Africa, in November, 1928. It was a 1600 km long journey, and it took her 3 years during which, she became a minor celebrity in South Africa. During her course, she made a stop at the mouth of River Mhlanga in Natal, and then, after an attempt was made to capture her, headed towards Durban where she visited a country club and a beach. She then moved on to the Umgeni River and finally arrived in East London in 1931. She was declared the Royal Game, but, some sick hunter with twisted minds shot her. She had crossed 122 rivers during her journey, and her story astounds listeners, even today.
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