The recent celebration of Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu highlighted the Pulikulam cattle breed used for the sport of Jallikattu.
About Pulikulam:
- Pulikulam is a popular draught and game breed of Tamil Nadu, named after its village of origin, Pulikulam- situated near Madurai and close to Keezhadi archaeological site.
- It is also known as ‘Palingu maadu’, ‘Mani maadu’, ‘Jallikattu maadu’, ‘Mattu maadu’ and ‘Kilakattu maadu’.
- Madurai, Sivaganda and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu form its breeding tract.
- The breed is not meant for milk production and only a few animals are milked for consumption.
- Generally, milk yield is about 1.25 Kg per day and are also reared for manure purpose.
- Pulikulam is extensively used in Jallikattu events, followed by Umbalachery and Kangayam breeds.
- This breed is preserved at the Tamil Nadu Pulikulam Breeding Research Station near Madurai, providing quality calves to livestock owners and
Appearance:
- They are small sized with compact body, short legs, broad forehead having a groove at centre.
- Males are dark grey in colour while females are white or grey.
- Distinct feature: Presence of reddish or brownish in the points like muzzle, eyes, switch and back, popularly known as ‘sentharai’.
- Horns are curved outward, upward, backward and then inward, ending with pointed tips spaced wide apart.
Historical Significance:
- The domestication of cattle occurred around 7,000-8,000 years ago in global regions, including the Indus Valley of South Asia.
- Indus seals show that Jallikattu or Eru Thazhuvuthal (a bull-taming sport), existed at least 4,500 years ago.
- Sangam literature highlights the significance of livestock in bull-baiting sports
Other Key Facts:
- India has three kinds of cattle, milch animals in northern India, middle India has dual purpose animals while southern India has the Mysuru-type animal for draught purposes.
- For example, Killari (Maharashtra), Amrit Mahal and Hallikar (Karnataka).
- Bargur Hill cattle: It originates from is Anthiyur Hills of Erode district where the Western and Eastern Ghats meet and is home to Lingayats and the Sholagas.
Kangayam breed:
- It is considered the ‘forerunner of all breeds’ in Tamil Nadu including Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Bargur and Alambadi.
- It is the first indigenous cattle breed from Tamil Nadu to be recognized by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), under ICAR.
- Horn and hump development of the Kangayam closely resembles depiction in Indus art.
Ref: Source
| UPSC IAS Preparation Resources | |
| Current Affairs Analysis | Topperspedia |
| GS Shots | Simply Explained |
| Daily Flash Cards | Daily Quiz |