This silver elephant is elaborately dressed for a royal parade
and maneuvered by a mahant or mahout - chief elephant rider &
part of the royal cavalry. The rider bears the flag 'Star of
India', composed of the Union Jack with the emblem of the Order
of
Star of India at the centre. It was officially the Viceroy's
flag from 1885 to 1947 before the Indian tricolour was adopted.