India is home to one of the world’s most diverse cattle populations. According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the country has over 50 recognized indigenous cattle breeds, developed over centuries to suit its varied climates, terrains, and farming systems. These breeds are broadly classified into three functional categories based on their primary use: dairy (milch) breeds, draught breeds, and dual-purpose breeds. Each category plays a distinct role in Indian agriculture and rural livelihoods – from producing milk for the family table to powering the plough in the field.
Table of Contents
How cattle breeds are classified in India
The classification of Indian cattle into dairy, draught, and dual-purpose groups is rooted in practical utility rather than just genetics. Dairy breeds are selected primarily for high milk output, though their bullocks tend to be weak workers. Draught breeds are the opposite – their bullocks are powerhouses for farm labour, while their cows produce very little milk. Dual-purpose breeds sit in between, offering moderate milk yield alongside useful draught capacity in males.
This three-way classification reflects the economic reality of smallholder farming in India, where a single animal often needs to serve more than one function. Choosing the right breed directly impacts a farm’s productivity, income, and sustainability.
Dairy breeds: built for milk
Dairy breeds, also called milch breeds, are characterized by well-developed udders, a docile temperament, and extended lactation periods. Their bullocks, however, are generally poor draught animals. The most prominent dairy breeds in India are Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Gir.
Sahiwal
Sahiwal is widely regarded as the best indigenous dairy breed in India. Originating from the Montgomery district of present-day Pakistan, the breed is now maintained in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other states. Sahiwal cattle are reddish-brown with a heavy, loose-skinned build and short, stumpy horns. Their average lactation yield is around 2,325 kg, with a range of 1,600 to 2,750 kg. The milk has a fat content of approximately 4.93%. The breed is notably heat-tolerant and resistant to parasites – traits that have made it valuable internationally. Sahiwal cattle were imported by Australia and used to develop the Australian Milking Zebu (AMZ), a synthetic breed adapted for tropical conditions.
Red Sindhi
Red Sindhi is a heat-tolerant milch breed originating from the Sindh province of Pakistan, also known by the names “Malir” and “Red Karachi.” These cattle have a distinct deep red coat – darker than Sahiwal – with thick horns that curve upward. Their milk yield ranges from 1,100 to 2,600 kg per lactation, with an average of around 1,840 kg, and milk fat content of approximately 4.5%. The Red Sindhi has been used in crossbreeding programs across countries including the USA, Australia, Brazil, and Sri Lanka, valued for combining tropical disease resistance with reasonable milk production. In India, the breed is found mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
Gir
The Gir breed originates from the Gir forest region of Gujarat and is one of the most recognizable Indian cattle breeds. Its distinguishing features include a domed, convex forehead – the only ultraconvex breed in the world – long pendulous ears, and a broad body adapted to tropical conditions. The average milk yield for Gir cattle in India is approximately 2,110 kg per lactation, with around 4.5% fat. Under high-management conditions, elite cows can produce significantly more. The Gir has been exported widely, particularly to Brazil, where the population now numbers in the millions. The breed is highly valued in crossbreeding programs for its disease resistance and adaptability to hot climates.
Draught breeds: built for work
Draught breeds are selected over generations for strength, stamina, and the ability to work in demanding field conditions. Their cows are poor milk producers – often yielding just enough to feed their calves – but their bullocks are exceptional workers. Key draught breeds include Amritmahal, Hallikar, and Khillari.
Amritmahal
Amritmahal cattle are native to the Hassan, Chikmagalur, and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka. These grey cattle have a narrow, tapering head, a prominent furrowed forehead, and long horns that emerge close together – a distinctive feature of this breed. Their compact, muscular build makes them well-suited for fast-paced ploughing and endurance work. Amritmahal is known as a famous draught breed recognized for its power and endurance. The lactation yield of cows is around 650 kg – well below dairy standards, reflecting the breed’s primary function.
Hallikar
Hallikar is another prominent draught breed from Karnataka, originating from the Mysore, Mandya, and Hassan districts. Hallikar is considered one of the best draught breeds in South India, noted for its grey to dark grey colour, coffin-shaped long face, and long horns that emerge near each other. The animals are large and powerfully built, and their bullocks are prized for heavy field work and transport. Like most draught breeds, Hallikar cows are poor milkers.
Khillari
The Khillari breed originated from the Solapur and Satara districts of Maharashtra and is now distributed across the state. Khillari cattle are compact with a massive head, long pointed horns, and tightly muscled shoulders – well-built for fast-paced, powerful draught work. The breed closely resembles Amritmahal but is considered even larger-framed. Their black hoofs and closely set digits provide a firm grip on varied terrain. Khillari bullocks are widely valued across Maharashtra for their speed and pulling capacity.
Dual-purpose breeds: milk and muscle
Dual-purpose breeds occupy the middle ground – their cows produce a moderate quantity of milk, and their bullocks are capable draught animals. These breeds are particularly valuable for small and marginal farmers who cannot afford to maintain separate animals for dairy and field work. The most prominent dual-purpose breeds are Hariana, Kankrej, and Tharparkar.
Hariana
Hariana is one of the most distinguished dual-purpose breeds of North India, primarily found in Karnal, Hisar, and Gurgaon districts of Haryana, as well as parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. These white or light grey cattle have a compact, proportionate build with a long, narrow face. Hariana cows produce around 1,500 kg per lactation under village conditions, while their bullocks are strong, reliable workers highly valued for cart and plough purposes. The breed is valued for its moderate milk yield and strong draught capabilities.
Kankrej
Kankrej is one of the largest and most well-known cattle breeds in India, originating from the Rann of Kutch region in Gujarat. Kankrej cattle are grey with large, lyre-shaped horns, and their bullocks are fast, active, and strong – well-suited for plough and cart work. The breed has a notable gait known as “Sawai Chaal,” a distinctive swaying walk. Kankrej cows produce around 1,400 kg of milk per lactation, with milk fat at approximately 4.8%. The breed has been exported to Latin America, where it contributed to the development of the Guzerat cattle breed in Brazil.
Tharparkar
Tharparkar, also known as White Sindhi or Grey Sindhi, originates from the Tharparkar district in Sindh (now Pakistan) and is found mainly in the Thar desert regions of Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat. Tharparkar cattle have exceptional heat tolerance, tick and parasite resistance, drought endurance, and a good temperament – surviving on scanty feed and water where most breeds would struggle. Their milk yield ranges from 1,660 kg under village conditions to 2,500 kg under commercial farm conditions, with a fat content of around 4.9%. Tharparkar bullocks also provide useful draught support, making the breed a reliable all-rounder for arid-zone farming.
Crossbreeding with exotic breeds
To increase milk production, crossbreeding of indigenous Indian breeds with exotic European breeds has been practiced in India for nearly a century. Crossbreeding programs with high milk-producing Bos taurus cattle were initiated in India to boost national milk output, with Holstein Friesian and Jersey being the most commonly used exotic sires. Notable crossbred breeds developed from this program include Karan Swiss (Sahiwal × Brown Swiss) and Frieswal (Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal).
Early crossbreeding experiments at government farms crossed native breeds such as Sahiwal, Gir, Hariana, Kankrej, and Red Sindhi with foreign breeds including Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and Brown Swiss between 1924 and 1934, producing breeds like “Jersindh” and “Jerthar.”
However, crossbreeding has its trade-offs. Research indicates that exotic inheritance beyond 50% does not result in appreciable gain in milk yield, while crossbreds may also lose the disease resistance, heat tolerance, and low-input adaptability that make indigenous breeds so valuable. Indiscriminate crossbreeding has led to a decline in purebred populations of breeds like Tharparkar, raising concerns about the long-term conservation of India’s indigenous cattle genetic diversity.
Conservation and the value of indigenous breeds
India’s indigenous cattle are not just productive assets – they are reservoirs of genetic traits refined over millennia. Breeds like Sahiwal, Gir, and Kankrej produce A2 milk, which contains the A2 beta-casein protein associated with easier digestibility. The growing demand for pure and organic A2 milk has renewed interest in indigenous breeds, even among smaller and hobby farmers who were earlier turning to high-yielding exotic crossbreds.
The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, serves as the nodal agency for registering and conserving indigenous cattle germplasm in India. Conservation programs are actively working to maintain purebred populations of breeds like Tharparkar, Kankrej, and Amritmahal through cryopreservation and structured breeding programs.
The broader lesson from India’s cattle diversity is clear: no single breed is universally “best.” The right breed depends on the farming system, climate, economic needs, and the balance between dairy and draught requirements. Understanding these distinctions is foundational for anyone working in animal husbandry, livestock management, or agricultural planning.
What do you think? Given India’s push toward mechanized farming, should draught breeds still be actively conserved, or should the focus shift entirely to improving dairy productivity through crossbreeding? And with the growing interest in A2 milk, do you think indigenous dairy breeds like Sahiwal and Gir deserve a larger share in commercial dairy operations?
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_cattle_breeds_of_India
- https://www.brainkart.com/article/cattle-breeds—Milch-breeds-(or)-Dairy-breeds,-Dual-purpose-breeds,-Draught-breeds_806/
- https://www.dairyknowledge.in/dkp/article/sahiwal
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sahiwal
- https://www.dairyknowledge.in/dkp/article/red-sindhi
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sindhi
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyr_cattle
- https://www.indiafarm.org/animal-husbandry-fisheries/livestock/cattle-farming/cattle-breeds-in-india/
- https://tractorkarvan.com/blog/top-cow-breeds-in-india
- https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/cattle-breeds-dual-purpose-draught-milch/273030736
- https://krishijagran.com/agripedia/pick-among-these-indian-draught-breed-cattles/
- https://www.cowpedia.in/milk-draught-breeds-indigenous-breeds/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392467945_Chapter_3_Breeds_of_Livestock
- https://arccjournals.com/journal/indian-journal-of-animal-research/B-4496
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6133845/
- https://agriarticles.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/E-04-04-176-657-660.pdf
- https://saveindiancows.org/dairy-cattle-breeds/
Leave a Reply