History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c27.s3.t5: Breeding
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c27.s3.t5
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Breeding
v1.c27.s3.t5.1
Elephants were allowed to breed in natural habitat and trapped, as is the practice in present day also. In general the elephants with long cheeks, eyes, brows and forehead, swiftest speed and with auspicious marks on the body were considered to be the best. They were classified in four categories (*Table 5*).
v1.c27.s3.t5.2
Table 5 — Classification of elephants
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| Class | Body signs | Measurements in cubits |
| | | Height | Length | Circumferenc |
| Bhadra | Honey coloured, strong well formed tusk, round and fat body, good face, and excellent limbs | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| Mandra | Fat belly, lion like eyes thick skin, throat and trunk, medium limbs and a long body | 6 | 7-8 | 9 |
| Mrga | Small or short throat, tusk, ears and trunk, big eyes and very short lips and genital organs and is dwarf | 5 | 6-7 | 8 |
| Misra | Mixture of above characteristics | | | |
v1.c27.s3.t5.4
Cattle breeding apparently was one of the important aspects of animal husbandry practices in ancient India. The administrative authorities appeared to be fully aware of its importance. The king was enjoined to preserve the breed of cattle in the country and a government officer called Superintendent of Cattle was entrusted with the exclusive task of supervising the livestock in the country, keeping census and ensuring their proper breeding and rearing. He was also supposed to maintain a record (register) classifying the cattle as male calves, steers, tamable cows, draught oxen, yoke and breeding bulls, cattle fit for slaughter, buffaloes, female calves, heifers, pregnant cows, milch kine, barren cattle etc.
v1.c27.s3.t5.5
The criteria detailed for selection of bulls for breeding purposes can be grouped to indicate vigour, health, body conformation and freedom from congenital defects/infections as shown in *Table 6*. It may be noticed that these empirical criteria are valid even in the present day context when claim is made to have comprehensive understanding of the selection attributes. Information is also available about the particulars of the time of the service and the ratio of the males to the females to be maintained in the herd of cows and buffaloes. Inclusion of four bulls in every herd of ten cows or buffaloes had been recommended. In the case of cows the colour of pigment of skin was considered to be the index of nutritive value of milk. The milk of black cows was considered to be the most nutritive, of the red next to it, and that of white to be the least.
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Table 6 — Correspondence of modern equivalent to the referred selection criteria for bulls
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| Vigour | Thundering roar, walk like infuriated elephant, capability to protect the herd |
| Health | Shining eyes, neither wicked nor idle |
| Genetic Attributes | History of coming from milch cow with young ones living and not deficient of any limb |
| Conformation of body | Well formed body, broad back, elevated shoulders, soft and straight tail with big tuft of hair, tender cheek, sharp horn, high stature hump |
v1.c27.s3.t5.8
For Horses, detailed description regarding various body signs like colour and lustre of the body, marks and whorls present on the body, voice, odour, congenital habits, general appearance, body size, gait and motion are available. These body signs have been linked with desirability or undesirability of the animals for auspicious reasons and luck through fulfilment of desires for war/battle and prosperity and success. In reference to present day knowledge, the utility of many of body signs described may be obsolete. Śālihotra classified horses as good, medium or inferior, on the basis of their height, length etc. (Table 7).
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Table 7 — Classification of horses according to measurements
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| | Measurements in cubits (C), fingers (F) | | |
| | Good | Medium | Adhama or Inferior |
| Height from hoof to withers/girth | 4 C | 3.5 C | 3 C |
| Length from outer canthus of the eye to the root of tail | 7.5 C | 6 C | 6 C |
| Shank | 16 F | 14 F | 12 F |
| Face, breast, loins | 32 F | 30 F | 28 F |
| Hoof | 7 F | 6 F | 4 F |
v1.c27.s3.t5.11
The good, medium and inferior breeds of horses were also recognised on the basis of their Janamadeśa, i.e. the country of their origin. The good horses were supposed to come from deśa (country) like Jajikaḥ (Arab), Pārasikaḥ (Persia), Kekkana (Konkana, a strip of land between Sahyādri and the sea) and from Prastha (not yet identified). The horses born in Tura (Turkey), Kira (Kashmir), Bhuruṣṭa (Bhṛgukaccha, probably modern Bharouch in Maharashtra), Bhāṇḍa (not identified), the hills of Sindhu and Sārasvata, were considered medium. Those from Sambhala (Sambal Moradabad, also a name of Birdhist Bactriana), Kusa (possibly Tamilnadu) and Jaṭādeśa (not identified) were considered to be inferior.