the mahouts carry a spiked ankus for just such a purpose, they drive it in just where the spine enters the head, to sever the spinal cord, instant kill. i suppose a strong man who knew what he was doing, with a sharp katar could do this fairly easily. once he was on top of the ellyfant. i'd say his reward was well earned. with the name 'singh', he was likely a sikh warrior or nihang and well capable of the feat.
modern mahout with a basic ankus. also a more regal one for the new king's next elephant ride.
i recall a tale of an 80 year old man in nepal who was attacked by a leopard. after skinning it and presenting the head as evidence to the local govt. to collect the 5 rupee bounty, he had his scratches dressed. moral: never attack an old nepali with a khukuri.
i know a very nice lady from nepal that i'd bet could behead the elephant
