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Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t4: Rearing of Live Stock and Dairy Farming

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t4

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English

Rearing of Live Stock and Dairy Farming

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Cattle were a highly esteemed form of wealth in ancient India, and cows, buffaloes, oxen and sheep were included among the precious possessions of a king.⁷⁵ *Vaya* (*vraja*) also known as *sangilla*⁷⁶, or a herd of cattle is mentioned; each *vraja* consisting of ten thousand cows⁷⁷ It is said that king Karakandu was very fond of the herds of cattle (*gokula*) and possessed a number of herds of kine.⁷⁸

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⁷⁵ *Ovā* *Sū.*, 6, also *Āva* *Tī.* (Hari), p 128 For the list of cattle see *Paṇṇa* 1 34

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⁷⁶ *Vya* *Bhā* 2. 23.

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⁷⁷ *Upā.*, 1, p 6, also *Brh* *Bhā*, 3 4268

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⁷⁸ *Uttarā.* *Tī.*, 9, p. 134a.

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Breeding and rearing of cattle was an essential concern of the people. The *Ābhīras* (mod. *Ahīr*), who tended the cows, are mentioned. We are told of an *Ābhīra* woman of Mathurā, who used to supply milk and curds to a perfumer. Once upon a time at the wedding of her son she invited the perfumer and his wife. The perfumer could not attend the ceremony in person but he sent various clothes and ornaments for the bride and the bridegroom as a gift. The *Ābhīras* were much pleased at this and in return they presented two strong-bodied bull-calves to the perfumer⁷⁹

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⁷⁹ *Āva.* *Nir.*, 471; *Āva* *cū*, p 280 f.

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Cattle were supplied with necessary grass and water (*taṇapāṇīya*) There were large cow-pens (*gomaṇḍava*) where the herds of cows, bulls and calves were kept. A cattle-lifter (*kūḍaggāha*) is mentioned, who used to go to the cow-pen and rob the cattle at night.⁸⁰ Quarrels among cowherds are frequently referred to. The cows of various colours such as black, blue, red, white, and brindled were known; cows were often attacked and devoured by lions and tigers in the jungle.⁸¹

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⁸⁰ *Vivā.* 2, p. 14 f.

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⁸¹ *Āva.* *cū.*, p. 44.

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Dairy farming was in an advanced state and the supply of milk and its four products (*gorasa*), viz., curds, butter-milk, butter and ghee, was abundant and so people could get highly nutritious food. The milk of cow, buffalo, camel, goat and sheep is mentioned.⁸² *Khīraghara* was known as a place where products of milk were available in plenty.⁸³ The cattle were also utilised for the production of hide, bones, ivory nails and hair.⁸⁴ Slaughter houses (sūnā) were known. A slaughter house is mentioned where five hundred buffaloes were slaughtered every day.⁸⁵

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⁸² *Ibid.* II, p 319.

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⁸³ *Nisī.* *cū.*, 9, p. 511.

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⁸⁴ Piṇḍa. 50

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⁸⁵ Ava. cū., II, p. 169.

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Then we had flocks of sheep and goats confined in an enclosure (vaḍaga).⁸⁶ They were utilised for wool-production. The brooms (rayaharaṇa) and blankets were made of sheep wool.⁸⁷ People used to kill sheep and eat their flesh seasoned with salt, oil and pepper ⁸⁸ Mention is made of a young ram which was fed on rice and grass till it was fattened and was killed on the arrival of the guest.⁸⁹ Veterinary science was also in a developed stage.⁹⁰

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⁸⁶ Vivā., 4, p. 30.

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⁸⁷ Brh. Sū, 2. 25, Bhā. 3. 3914.

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⁸⁸ Sūya II, 6. 37.

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⁸⁹ Uttarā, 7. 1 ff.

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⁹⁰ Nisī cū, 19, p. 1244.

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