Many sources suggest that the domestication of animals began in the Neolithic age between 7000 BC and 1000 BC depending in which part of the country you look at. It was sooner in the south of India and later in the northern part of the country. This was also the time when the Neolithic man started settled agriculture. Why did they stop foraging for food or hunting? Many experts feel that the pressure of providing for more mouths forced the Neolithic man to change his ways from his ancestors, the Paleolithic and Mesolithic man. During this time, animals that were useful in farming were first tamed.
Ancient scriptures refer to the use of milk, ghee and other milk products in rituals.
Curd was considered an essential ingredient in the preparation of madhuparka and charanamrit. Excavation sites at Harappa (3300 - 1300 BC) suggests that dairy was a part of their diet and Rigveda, was written in 1700 BC. Kamdhenu was considered a priceless possession amongst the Aryans and protection of cows was of utmost importance in their view.
Dogs, buffaloes, elephants, goats and fowls were next in line to be domesticated. The Vedas also provide for the treatment of ailments in animals. Well known amongst those are Atharvaveda, Haya Ayurveda (composed by Shalihotra for horse husbandry and treatment) and Gaja Ayurveda (composed by Sage Palakapya for elephant treatment).
Nakula and Sahadeva of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and Buddha are all considered champions of the animal world.
Chanakya, guide and advisor of Chandragupta Maurya of the Gupta Dynasty, in his book Arthashastra lists information of different animal departments, rules of meat science, animal based products such as skins and fur and care and management of animals. This was the scenario till 800 AD till Islamic invasion of India.
Introduction:
It would seem that livestock keeping was more of a tradition than economic activity in ancient india and that leads us to believe that animal would have been much better treated then than today. The vedas, Puranas, Brahmanas and epics are a treasure trove of information on animal care, health and disease cure. In a country where religion is at the centre of life, the cow occupied an inportant place not just as producers of dairy but as an icon for cultural ethos.
In proto-historic times (from 3000 BC to 600 BC covering the Bronze Age and Chalcolithic culture from the beginning of Harappan civilization up to the beginning of the historical period in 6th century BC), sedentary lifestyles made a case for rearing animals for transport and farming. It took the Early Historic man to enslave and misuse animals in the battke field.
Harappa and its animals
Excavations of Harappa in Montgomeri district, Punjab and Mohenjo-daro in Larkana district, Sindh (now in Pakistan) in 1920–22 provided valuable archaeological evidence of a well developed civilization, which was 5000 to 6000 years old. Seals recovered from Indus valley provided knowledge of bulls, buffaloes, goats, elephants, ibex, and many other animals.
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But even at this time, animal sacrifice and cruelty to animals was a norm, as seen in the seal above.
Vedic age
Rigveda, the oldest holy book of Aryans, has a lot of information on animals, their rearing and use. Animals were considered wealth by the Aryans. Cattle was kept on pastures, which were near to their dwellings. Cows were milked thrice a day. Castration of males was practiced and oxen were used for farm transport, plowing and irrigation, dogs for guarding houses and for hunting of boars. Sheep were kept mostly for wool and goats for milk. The cow was accorded high sanctity in the Vedic period. Barley, sugarcane, and leftovers of sesame after extraction of oil were used for feeding of animals.
Yet again, as with the Harappans, Aryans too believed in Animal sacrifices.
Epic period
In later Vedic period (2000–1000 BC, the age of Iron and painted Grey Ware), which includes the two epics, i.e., Mahabharata (c. 1400 BC) and Ramayana (c. 2000 BC), which depict the religious, social, political, and economic life of the Aryans during post-Vedic period. In the epic Mahabharata, references have been made to many domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, elephants, and horses and their uses. Cow dung was used as manure. Many temples carry depictions of these epics and one of the most common reliefs on these temple walls is the different kinds of uses of animals.
Ramayana is the oldest literature of Sanskrit, although no written history is available of that period. 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.
Mauryan age
Like many other things, animal husbandry also grew in the Mauryan age (322–232 BC).
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.
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, cow was a worshiped animal. It was one of the first duties of the King to worship the cow with her calf and bull. The killing of cow was a deadly sin. 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.
Yet again, as with the Harappans, Aryans too believed in Animal sacrifices.
Epic period
In later Vedic period (2000–1000 BC, the age of Iron and painted Grey Ware), which includes the two epics, i.e., Mahabharata (c. 1400 BC) and Ramayana (c. 2000 BC), which depict the religious, social, political, and economic life of the Aryans during post-Vedic period. In the epic Mahabharata, references have been made to many domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, elephants, and horses and their uses. Cow dung was used as manure. Many temples carry depictions of these epics and one of the most common reliefs on these temple walls is the different kinds of uses of animals.
Ramayana is the oldest literature of Sanskrit, although no written history is available of that period. 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.
Mauryan age
Like many other things, animal husbandry also grew in the Mauryan age (322–232 BC).
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.
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, cow was a worshiped animal. It was one of the first duties of the King to worship the cow with her calf and bull. The killing of cow was a deadly sin. 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. It was the duty of the King to identify and provide enough land for pastures near each village. The Gopa (village accountant) was supposed to keep the details of the pasturelands. In Arthashastra, 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.
- Veterinary services were essential services during the Mauryan period.
In this period, 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 were regularly trained for warfare. There were horses of many breeds. Arthashastra has graded them as best, middle, and ordinary quality. Thoroughbred horses were recommended parched rice, drippings, minced meat, red rice¬powder, and grasses. 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. There were about 6000 elephants with Nandas and 9000 with Chandragupta Maurya. 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.
(Source: https://www.vethelplineindia.co.in/veterinary-medicine-and-animal-keeping-in-ancient-india/)
Ashoka period
Ashoka, grandson of Chandragupta Maurya was the one who shaped veterinary profession as it is today in India. The Kalinga war and the destruction that it left in its wake, made Ashoka turn to Buddhism for guidance. The present-day Veterinary Council of India adopted its insignia, the sculpture of a bull and a part of the text of the stone edict from the period of Emperor Ashoka (around 300 BC), which projected the veterinary profession as its “best heritage” (Singh, 2002a). It is described that the first veterinary hospital existed in Ashoka’s regime (Schwabe, 1978). 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.
Ashoka period
Ashoka, grandson of Chandragupta Maurya was the one who shaped veterinary profession as it is today in India. The Kalinga war and the destruction that it left in its wake, made Ashoka turn to Buddhism for guidance. The present-day Veterinary Council of India adopted its insignia, the sculpture of a bull and a part of the text of the stone edict from the period of Emperor Ashoka (around 300 BC), which projected the veterinary profession as its “best heritage” (Singh, 2002a). It is described that the first veterinary hospital existed in Ashoka’s regime (Schwabe, 1978). 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.
Cow
Cows were regarded as wealth and were the backbone of the economy of ancient Indians, i.e., Aryans. Wars were fought for acquiring cows. Cows were high milk-yielders and were milked thrice a day by women (Duhitras). They knew the animal feeding practices and fed them with dry hay and green fodder.
However, castration of males by crushing the testicles between two stones was also practiced. If that is not cruelty, what is?
Cow prosperity started declining with increasing human population and socioeconomic conflict. In case of buffalo, it is the utility of the buffalo that has increased its prospects.
Rulers from 600 BC used to inscribe pictures of bulls (rarely cows) on coins, which show their importance and utility. Round coins (occasionally rectangular or square) weighing 5–7 g made up of copper, silver, lead, or gold were used as currency.
Buffaloes, sheep, goats and fowls came to importance in ancient India once their economic value became obvious. As time passed, people realised that there was profit to be made from these animals and then started animal abuse.
India's first national animal welfare law, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), criminalizes cruelty to animals, though exceptions are made for the treatment of animals used for food and scientific experiments.
Even today, the fines meted out to offenders are minimal and hardly make any impact. But that is a discussion for another day!
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