The Doon Valley, which represents the heart of this story, was near the major migration route for peregrines. Osman was fortunate to have been able, in a great place and time, to trap and train all of the different subspecies and work with them in the fields. In addition to these falcons, his experiences also cover all the hawk-eagles and shortwinged birds.
Although a great number of migratory peregrines did pass through the Doon valley, the majority passed through the Indus Valley just to the west, at Dera Gazi Khan and the neighboring city of Dera Ismael Khan. The bustling hawk markets of Amritsar and Lahor were the focus of many falconers of the day. It is only natural that a few of Osman's birds would com from them.
In days gone past Phillott, Delme-Radcliffe, Burton, and Biddulph practice falconry in the Indus Valley. Osman states that In the world of falconry, they were the heavyweights whose accounts lent a sense of refinement in the chronicle of hawking. I did have the pleasure as a boy of meeting the famous Colonel Biddulph when Uncle and I had gone to Lahore. Osman had no idea at that time that his own life and the experience and knowledge of his falconry adventures would make him a heavyweight in his own right.
Osman's writing shows clearly how sensitive he has been to his surroundings. He views his world through keen eyes and with the enthusiasm of a young boy who is only just seeing the world for this first time, yet his writing is filled with mature insight into that world. He lived in a time and place which as been separated from the Western world; his original thinking will prove thought provoking to many falconers and naturalists.
We are fortunate to have this account at a time when there seems to be a great resurgence of interest in falconry from this area of the world. |
