An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c6.s2.t2.2

v1.c6.s2.t2.2

It is generally accepted that the Indian buffalo was domesticated within the subcontinent and is a direct descendant of *Bubalus palaeindicus* found in the Siwaliks. The domestic buffalo has changed so little that it is regarded as only semi-domesticated and continues to interbreed with wild species. It is still uncertain whether the domesticated buffalo of s.-e. Asia and China is descended from the wild Pleistocene buffalo of China or from the Indian wild buffalo. The domestic buffalo was introduced from India into Iraq and thence into the Jordan valley in *c.* A.D. 725. By the Middle Ages it was known in Egypt, Bulgaria and Hungary. The buffalo was successfully bred in Sicily but was a failure in Spain and Germany. Generally speaking the discontinuity of distribution of the buffalo w. wards is due to the lack of tropical swamp conditions.