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Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit)
Kalighat painting based on Bengali folklore where a cat poses as a monk on an island full of mice. The cat later proves them wrong for their initial lack of belief through saintly behavior. He then consumes the offspring of several mice after gaining the respect of his peers. It is assumed that this is a portrayal of ascetics in a form of artistic mockery. Paper on watercolor by an unknown artist from Kolkata, India, c. 1890s.
Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Questions & Answers
When and where were cats first domesticated?
- It is unknown where cats were first domesticated, but it has been established they were so by c. 12,000 BCE in Mesopotamia.
Where did domesticated house cats come from?
- Domesticated house cats came from wild cats and it has been established that wild cats lived among humans 100,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. These wild cats eventually befriended humans and were domesticated by them.
Were dogs or cats domesticated first?
- Dogs were domesticated before cats. According to some cat owners, cats have never actually been domesticated.
Which ancient civilization is most closely associated with cats?
- Ancient Egypt is the civilization most closely associated with cats as one of their most popular goddesses, Bastet, was envisioned as a cat or a woman with a cat's head.
Add External Link
External Links
The History of the Domestic Cat
alleycat.org
The Evolution of House Cats | Scientific American
scientificamerican.com
The Origins Of Cats | International Cat Care
icatcare.org
Ship's Cat - National Maritime Historical Society
seahistory.org
