This instrument is made in the shape of a peacock and the word 'taus' is in fact a Persian word meaning peacock. It has 28-30 strings and the instrument is played with a bow. The taus is very similar to the dilruba in construction and in playing technique. However, the taus has a bigger sound box and therefore produces a much more resonant and mellow sound. It has a sound hole at the ‘tail’ portion of the instrument and stands on bird-feet carved in wood.
Guru Hargobind Sahib created this instrument, which is probably why it is so big, given his own physical size.
Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh master) played this instrument and welcomed any rabab or taus player into his court. This saaj (instrument) was a favourite with late ragi Bhai Avtar Singh ji.
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