Desi Cow

Desi Cow

A cow is called Mother or Gaumata in our country and according to old scriptures, it is said to be revered. Desi cow (Indian breed of cow) is the name given to cows found in the Indian sub-continent. From cow’s milk to cow dung, urine everything is beneficial. These cows are very used to the weather conditions of the tropical and hot Indian terrain and can live comfortably in India.

To identify an Indian cow, look for the hump of the shoulders, the skin hanging around the neck, large horns, and particularly long ears. There are many different breeds of indigenous cows. There are 37 breeds of cows in India. Following are some of them.

Major Indian Cow Breeds

Hallikar

It is one of the dry breeds in South India. At present, most of the South Indian breeds have originated from Hallikar. Hallikar is a distinct Mysore breed of cattle found mainly in Mysore, Mandi, Bangalore, Kolar, Tumkur Hassan, and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka.

Punganur

This breed is a short-horned cattle found in Madanapali and Palamaner taluka of Chiltan district of Andhra Pradesh. They are used for agricultural purposes on light soils. This breed is almost on the verge of extinction.

Malvi (Malvi)

These Malvi bullock carts in Indore, Dewas, Ujjain Shajapur, Mandsaur district, MP are known for quick transportation and are capable of lifting heavy loads on rough roads.

Nagori (Nagori)

This, being a reputed breed, is mainly bred for the draft quality of its oxen. Along with the western breed in the Naveen district of Rajasthan, there is also in the Jodhpur district and Nokha district. Its population is declining at a remarkable rate.

Rathi (Rathi)

It is an important milch breed of cattle found in the western part of Rajasthan. Home Track is located in the middle of the Thar Desert and comprises the districts of Bikaner, Ganganagar, and Jaisalmer. These animals are different from the grey-white deer-type animals called Rathi found in the Alwar region of Rajasthan.

Red Kandhari

This breed of cattle is found in Kanpur and Nanded districts. It is also found in other districts like Ahmedpur, Parli, and Hingoli tehsils of Latur district and Parbhani district of Marathwada region.

Sahiwal

Synonyms – lamble bar, lota, mulled, montgomery, telly

This breed is one of the important dairy breeds of Zabu cattle. The original breeding tract is in Pakistan but is found along the Indo-Pak border in Firozpur and Amritsar (Punjab), Ganganagar (Rajasthan). Apart from India and Pakistan, it is also found in 17 other countries.

Khari (Kheri, Khermir, Khari, Kharigarh, Khari)

This breed is closely related to the Malvi breed and is mostly found in the Lakhimpur Khen district. The population of this breed has decreased significantly in the last few years.

Hunter (mandeshi, hunter)

This breed is known for the quick-drying abilities of its bullocks and is found in Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli, and Satara districts of Maharashtra and Belgaum, Bijapur districts of Karnataka. The origin of this breed is from the Mallikar or Amritmahal breed of cattle.

Krishna Valley (Krishna Valley)

This breed is a heavy dry breed specially used in black cotton soils of the Krishna river watershed. Mainly found in Solapur, Sangli, and Satara districts of Maharashtra and Bijapur districts of Karnataka.

Mewati (Mewati)

This breed of cattle is synonymous with Kosi, Mehvati. This breed is known as Mewat, which is native to Alwar in Rajasthan and Mathura in Bharatpur district, western U.P. Apart from this, it is also drunk in Faridabad and Gurgaon districts of Haryana.

Benefits of desi cow

Desi cow’s milk touches practically all aspects of life. Whether male or female, child or adult, rural or urban, milk is a nutritious food for all. It reduces acidity, boosts immunity, and sharpens the brain. Cow’s milk forms a basis for many Ayurvedic medicines. Desi cow’s milk helps in fighting diabetes in infants and adults. Many more products like curd, buttermilk, butter, and clarified butter (ghee) are made from cow’s milk. These products have high medicinal and nutritional value.

Cow urine (cow urine)

The urine of any animal is discarded as a waste product, but the opposite is true in the case of a desi cow. It is a boon for all mankind and farmers in particular. Cow urine is used in agriculture to produce organic and natural fertilizers, insect repellents, and other products. It is not only used for external purposes but is highly beneficial if consumed by humans. It has high medicinal value and is considered a super medicine. Our scientists have done extensive research on indigenous cow urine and proved its anti-cancer properties. Holds the US, China and India patent on indigenous cow urine as an anticancer drug.

Cow Dung (Gomay)

On the one hand, the cow’s excreta which is worth gold equal to its own weight to the farmers. Ancient scriptures mention “Gomay Vasa Lakshmi” which means Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and prosperity resides in cow dung. Cow dung as it is called in Hindi has a high micro-organism value. It is helpful in increasing the fertility and productivity of the soil. Cow dung manure is a natural fertilizer and many other organic fertilizers can be made from cow dung. Dung is considered suitable for consumption by humans and is part of many Ayurvedic medicines.

Panchagavya (5 cow products)

There is a Holi meeting of milk, curd, cow ghee (ghee), cow urine, Gomay Panchagavya Ayurvedic medicine. These form a range of drugs in different remedies and when mixed with different components. These medicines have proved effective to overcome many medical problems. He has reportedly cured many chronic diseases and is the only alternative to modern medical science. These medicines do not cost much in the pocket as they are all made from cow-based products which are easily available.

Farming

As we saw earlier a cow with its urine and dung is very useful for farmers. Similarly, Indian breed bulls are also necessary for farmers. Indian oxen are considered tough and long working animals as they can work for long periods without food and water. They have good heat adaptability and water holding capacity. It helps the farmers to give them employment for various agricultural needs. They are coupled with trains and used for transportation purposes.

Environment

Our research has shown that cow-based organic farming has increased the productivity of the soil manifold. Now it is possible for farmers to take different crops without stripping the land from chemicals and dangerous toxic substances. This has led to a better bio-diverse environment in and around farms. It is also seen that the water table in the area also increases when organic fertilizers and pesticides are used in agricultural methods.

A strong nation is built with food. It is the responsibility of every farmer of India to provide healthy and poison-free food to all the citizens. A cow-based organic lifestyle is the only way for these farmers to produce poison-free food. We consumers and agricultural producers should support cow-based organic farming in every possible way.

Desi Cow 10 Facts

  • Desi Cows (Bos Indicus Cattle) are also called humped cattle or Brahman cattle which originated in Asia.

  • Indian (Desi) cows are the only species of cow on the planet that has a hump along their backbone.

  • A2 protein which is an essential protein for the human body is found in Desi cow milk.

  • Indian Cow Milk has amino acids which make its proteins easier to digest. Is a rich source of B2, B3, A vitamins which help immunity.

  • Both urine and dung of Desi cow got medicinal properties and are used in ayurvedic medical treatments.

  • Cow dung has anti-septic, anti-radioactive, and anti-thermal properties, as well acting as naturally producing manure, pesticide, and insecticide.

  • In Bhopal, India, 20,000 people were killed in the world’s worst industrial disaster from a lethal gas leak, except those villagers whose houses were coated in cow dung.

  • A primary source of three out of the five sacred cow by-products known as ‘Panchagavya’, which are essential to performing Vedic activities and which together provide anti-toxic and environmental benefits to the universe.

  • Indian villages use cow pats drying in the sun, which are used as fuel for cooking.

  • When a cow dies you can immerse her body in the farming land, and the land becomes more fertile.

  • Because cows supply milk, in Indian culture, they are referred to as our mothers.

Suggested Read: Why Cow in India are Considered Holy Animal?

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Simmi Kamboj

Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. She had a passion for writing about India's lifestyle, culture, tradition, travel, and is trying to cover all Indian Cultural aspects of Daily Life.