A History of Agriculture in India v2.c79.s5: Camels

A History of Agriculture in India v2.c79.s5

Language: English

Camels

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On account of their usefulness as beasts of burden and their meagre food requirements, camels were in great demand for the Mughal army. Camels were bred in areas now in Rajasthan, Haryana and Sind. Abu-l-Fazl states, ‘Camels are numerous near Ajmer, Jodhpur, Nagor, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Bhatinda, and Bhatnir; the best are bred in the Suba of Gujarat, near Kachh. But in Sind is the greatest abundance; many inhabitants own ten thousand camels and upwards. The swiftest camels are those of Ajmer, the best for burden are bred in *Thatha*.’ Their life-span is mentioned as about twenty-four years.

Breeding

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Camels are of two types, the two-humped camels from Central Asia, and one-humped from India. Describing their breeding, Abu-l-Fazl narrates, ‘In every country they get hot in winter and couple. The male of two humps goes by the name of Buchur. The young ones of camels are called *nar* (male) and *maya* (female), as the case may be; but His Majesty has given to the *nar* the name of *bughdi*, and to the female that of *jammaza*. The *bughdi* is the better for carrying burdens and for fighting; the *jammaza* excels in swiftness. The Indian camel called *lok* and its female come close to them in swiftness, and even surpass them. The offspring of a *bughur* and a *jammaza* goes by the name of *ghurd*; the female is called *maya ghurd*. If a *bughdi* or a *lok* couples with a *jammaza*, the young one is called *bughdi* or *lok* respectively. But if a *bughdi* or a *lok* couples with an *arwana*, the young male is named after its sire and the young female after its dam. The *lok* is considered superior to the *ghurd* and the *maya ghurd*.’

Food

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As regards food given to the camels, *Ain-i-Akbari* mentions, ‘The following is the allowance of such *bughdis* as are to carry burdens. At the age of two and a half or three years, when they are taken from the herd of the stud dams, a *bughdi* gets 2 *s* of grain; when three and a half to four years old, 5 *s*; up to seven years, 9 *s*; at eight years, 10 *s*. The same rule applies to *bughurs*. Similarly in the case of *jammazas*, *ghurds*, *mayah ghurds*, and *loks*, up to four years of age; but from the fourth to the seventh year, they get 7 *s*, and at the age of eight years, 7½ *s*, at the rate of 28 *dams* per *ser*. As the *ser* has now 30 *dams*, a corresponding deduction is made in the allowance. When *bughdis* are in heat, they eat less. Hence also concession is made, if they get lean, to the extent of 10 *s*; and when the rutting season is over, the Daroghas give out a corresponding extra allowance of grain to make up for the former deficiency.

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'At court, camels are given grass by the government for eight months. Camels on duty inside the town are daily allowed grass at the rate of 2 *d* per head; and those outside the town, 1 *d*. During the four rainy months, and on the march, no allowance is given, the drivers taking the camels to meadows to graze.'

Oiling Camels

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Oil was annually allowed for anointing camels and injecting into their nostrils. For each *bughdi* and *jammaza* 3½ *sers* of sesame oil was annually allowed, viz. three *sers* for anointing, and ½ *ser* for injection into the nose. So also ⅜ *s* of brimstone, and 66 *s* of butter-milk. For other kinds of camels the allowance was ⅝ *s* of brimstone, 6½ *s* of butter-milk, and ⅜ *s* of grease for injecting into the nose-holes.

Camel Fights

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Apart from wrestling, elephant and camel fights were popular pastimes. Abu-l-Fazl states, 'From a regard to the dignity of his court, and the diversion of others, His Majesty orders camel-fights, for which purpose several choice animals are always kept in readiness. The best of these *khasa* camels, which is named Shahpasand,is a country-bred, twelve years old; it overcomes all its antagonists, and exhibits in the manner in which it stoops down or gets up every finesse of the art of wrestling.' In a Mughal painting relating to the reign of Akbar, elephants, camels and men are shown wrestling. While elephants and men are trying holds on each other, the camels are viciously biting each other. To keep up their spirits drums are being lustily beaten, cymbals are clanged and a trumpet blown (Fig. 41).