Veterinarian in Society

ANIMAL KEEPING IN ANCIENT INDIA

Animal husbandry in Harappan culture

• Excavations of Harappa in Montgomeri district, Punjab and Mohenjo-daro in Larkana district, Sindh (now in Pakistan) provided valuable archaeological evidence of a well developed civilization. The famous Indus Valley civilization was better known for highly developed culture and organized society. People of Indus Valley civilization were familiar with dogs, bulls, sheep, goats, buffaloes, horses, and elephants. They were also aware of a number of wild-game and animal products, such as milk, curd, ghee, and meat. Fish was their main animal food. These people were fond of mutton, beef, chicken, and meat of tortoise. Seals recovered from Indus valley provided knowledge of bulls, buffaloes, goats, elephants, ibex, and many other animals.

Vedic age

• A lot of information is available on keeping of animals in the Vedic Age in the Rigveda, which is the oldest holy book of Aryans. In Rigveda, animals were considered as wealth. Aryans maintained their cattle on pastures, which were near to their dwellings. They cut the jungles and grazed cattle. The cows were milked thrice a day. Castration of males was practiced and oxen were used for farm transport. Aryans preferred only cows and buffalo was not a commonly used animal by them. People of this age kept dogs for guarding houses and for hunting of boars.
• Sheep were kept mostly for wool and goats for milk. Oxen were used for plowing and irrigation also. In Rigveda, barley, sugarcane, and leftovers of sesame after extraction of oil were used for feeding of animals. Cow milk provided special energy, strength, and intelligence. Cow dung and urine nourished agriculture farming. Bullock power helped in development of techniques in agriculture like carrying draft, transportation, and cottage industry. Skin from dead animals supported the leather industry and handicrafts. Therefore, cow husbandry was always core-point in the Indian lifestyle and economy during the Vedic period.

Epic period

• In the epic period, evidence showed that many domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, elephants, and horses and their uses. Cow dung was used as manure. The treatment of various ailments using medicinal herbs and surgical procedures are described at length. Various uses of oil as preservative and treatment are mentioned. Surgical procedures like caesarean section, hysterectomy, etc. were known to be performed by trained vaidhyas or physicians. Fruit juices, flower extracts, and wines made from fruits were said to have great medicinal properties. Diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, mental disorders, etc. were described along with treatment.

Mauryan age

• Animal husbandry made great progress in the Mauryan age. The Mauryan age preceded the period of Buddha and Mahavir, who preached non-violence towards animals. The earliest Buddhist text “Suttanipata” describes cattle as a giver of food, beauty, and happiness (annada, vannada, and sukhada) and therefore deserves to be protected. Buffalo also became a recognized dairy animal by this period.
• In the Arthashastra, goat has been described as an important milch animal like cows and buffaloes. Sheep were raised for wool. According to Arthashastra, in a breeding herd, 4 bulls should be provided for every 10 cows/buffaloes. Feeding of animals on pasture was the main practice. Also, there is separate mention of dry straw (trina) and green grasses (yavasa), indicating a clear concept about green and dry fodder in the feeding of animals. Feeding of oil cakes has also been recommended. Rations for cow, buffalo, mule, camel, etc. have been described separately at several places. Milking was done either once in the morning during summer and spring or twice, i.e., in the morning and evening during rainy season, autumn, and first part of winter. Difference in the fat content in buffalo and cow milk was well known. Milk fat was usually used as ghee or butter oil. There was capital punishment for stealing or hurting a cow.
• When a person caused a bull to fight with another bull, he was fined. If any person injured a bull, he was heavily fined. In this Mauryan age , asses were used to carry loads. Horses were used to yoke different kinds of chariots like festival chariots, battle chariots, and traveling chariots. In the stables, different kinds of horses were kept separately. Horses of different breeds were regularly trained for warfare. Mules have also been mentioned in Arthashastra, indicating their presence in the Mauryan period.
• Elephants were very important animals in the Mauryan period. They were used in warfare, as they were very useful for storming fortresses; breaking upon massive doors and to move even in dense forests and marshy lands. Elephants for war and riding were housed inside the fort. Whoever killed an elephant was sentenced to death. Tusks of an elephant were considered precious.

Ashoka period

• During this period veterinary science gained a new turn in India. It is described that the first veterinary hospital existed in Ashoka’s regime. The ‘Baniyan Hospital’ of Suratis is believed to be one of them, which consisted of a large piece of land enclosed by high walls. Provision for keeping indoor patients was made inside to accommodate animals.