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HISTORY OF VETRINARY MEDICINE IN INDIA
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The World's First Animal Hospital was established in India(Emperor Asoka's Period).The Practice of Animal Healing, existed in India even centuries prior to the Emperor Asoka's regime, as evident from the life of the ancient saints of the Tamil Kingdoms & Dravidian Civilizations and from the Rishi’s & Sadhu’s of Aryan Civilizations in Northern India. Keeping these rich traditions alive for several centuries and even today, the Indian Subcontinent boasts one of the richest biodiversity of animal and plant life in India.
Father of Veterinary Medicine - RENATUS VEGETIUS (450-500 A.D.)
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Why the Indian Veterinary History is important...
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According to Somvanshi's Documentation(2006)on Indian History of Veterinary Medicine, Cattle husbandry was well developed during the Rigvedic period (1500–1000 BC)
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Atharvaveda provided an interesting information about ailments of animals, herbal medicines, and cure of diseases.
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Shalihotra, the first known veterinarian of the world, was an expert in horse husbandry and medicine and composed a text Haya Ayurveda.
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Sage Palakapya was an expert dealing with elephants and composed a text Gaja Ayurveda.
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In Mahabharata period (1000 BC), Nakula and Sahadeva, the two Pandava brothers were experts of horse and cattle husbandry, respectively.
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Lord Krishna was an expert caretaker and conservator of cow husbandry. Gokul and Mathura were famous for excellent breeds of cows, high milk production, quality curd, butter, and other products.
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Buddha was a great protector of all kinds of animals and birds (including game) in ancient India as he preached lessons of non-violence to masses.
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Graeco-Romans imported livestock from India after invasion by Alexander. These descriptions are available in Indika, a book authored by Megasthenes, the ambassador of Seleucus Nikator, king of Mecedonia in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.
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The great king Ashoka (300 BC) erected the first known veterinary hospitals of the world. He arranged cultivation of herbal medicines for men and animals in his empire and adjoining kingdoms.
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In a famous text, the Arthashastra (science of economics) composed by Kautilya, the guide and political advisor of emperor Chandragupta Maurya, a lot of information is available about different animal (elephant, horse, and cow) departments, grazing lands, rules of meat science, livestock products like skin and fur, and veterinary jurisprudence. This knowledge flourished during the great Hindu kings of the Gupta period up to 800 AD before Islamic followers invaded India.
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