Elephant goad

The ankus, or elephant goad, is a tool used in the training of elephants. It consists of a metal head (usually bronze or steel) attached to a two- or three-foot handle. The head normally consists of two pointed tips, with one tip curving away from a straight tip. The handle can be made of any material, from wood to ivory, depending on the wealth and opulence of the owner. They are found in armories and temples across all across India, where elephants march in religious processions and perform in various civil capacities. They are often quite ornate, being decorated with gemstones and engravings in order to be appropriate for the ceremonies in which they are used.

The ankus also appears in Kipling's The_Second_Jungle_Book, where it is found by Mowgli.

Ankus (National Gallery of Australia)
Ankus (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)