2-700-999 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

An execution by an elephant, from 'An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon', pub. 1681 (engraving). An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon'; an account of Robert Knox's (1641-1720) experiences on Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, where he was held captive for 19 years by the Kandy king, Rajasinghe II; the engravings show the inhabitants, their customs and agricultural techniques; this particular plate displays a common form of capital punishment in the region at the time, being crushed by alive by a tame elephant.