The Khillari is a cattle breed. It is a member of the ''

Bos indicus The zebu (; ''Bos indicus'' or ''Bos taurus indicus''), sometimes known in the plural as indicine cattle or humped cattle, is a species or subspecies of domestic cattle originating in the Indian sub-continent. Zebu are characterised by a fatty ...

'' sub-species, native to Satara, Sangali and Kolhapur regions in

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

and

Bijapur Bijapur, officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural ...

, Dharwad and

Belagavi Belgaum (ISO: ''Bēḷagāma''; also Belgaon and officially known as Belagavi) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located in its northern part along the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous Belagavi ...

districts of Karnataka in India. The breed is well adapted to the area's tropical and drought-prone conditions. They are favoured by the local farming community due to their ability to handle the hardships of farming. The breed is in decline, mostly due low milk yield, which offers an alternate income stream.

History

The Khillari breed includes several varieties. It possibly owes its origin to the Hillikar breed of cattle from Mysore State. The name comes from "Khillar" meaning a herd of cattle, and Khillari meaning the herdsman. Mostly Khillari bulls are basically from Satara District of South Maharashtra.& also this animals are found in neighbouring districts of Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur of Western Maharashtra. Besides their extensive use in their home tracts they are used in the adjacent districts of Pune, Ahmednager, Nasik and Bijapur.

Characteristics

The Khillari is between 4½ to 5½ feet tall and weighs between 350 and 450 kg. The typical specimen is compact and tight skinned, with clean cut features and squarely developed hindquarters. The appearance is compact with stout strong limbs. The pelvis is slightly higher than the shoulders. The Khillaris of the Deccan plateau, the Mhaswad and the Atpadi Mahal types are greyish white in colour. The males have deeper colour over the forequarters and hindquarters, with peculiar grey and white mottling on the face. The Tapti Khillari is white with reddish nose and hooves. The Nakali Khillari is grey with tawny or brickdust color over the forequarters. Newly born calves have rust red coloured polls, but this disappears within months. Khillaris have a long narrow head with long horns sweeping back and then upward in a distinctive bow, and tapering to a fine point. The ears, coloured yellow inside are small, pointed and held sideways. The legs are round and straight with black hooves. The coat is fine, short and glossy.

Varieties

Four principal types of Khillaris are prevalent in

State. Hanam Khillar (sometimes

Atpadi Atpadi is an administrative town of the Atpadi Taluka of Sangli District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Atpadi is located north-east of Sangli District and shares borders with the adjacent Solapur and Satara Districts. The town has a talu ...

Mahal), is prevalent in southern Maharashtra .In Kolhapur and Satara and adjoining areas.

Mhaswad Mhaswad or Mhasvad is a city in the Maan/Dahivadi taluka in the Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The NH-548C Satara-Baitul National Highway passes through the city. Demographics India census A census is the procedure ...

Khillari live mostly in

Man & Khatav A man is an adult male human. Prior to adulthood, a male human is referred to as a boy (a male child or adolescent). Like most other male mammals, a man's genome usually inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromos ...

talukas of Satara District. In the area of the Satpura range of hills comprising the West Khandesh district Tapi Khillari or Thillari predominate. Nakali Khillari is of more recent origin. Nakali means "imitation". It is found in adjacent areas of these regions.

Breeding

In southern Maharashtra and Solapur, Sangli and Satara districts, Khillaris are bred by cultivators. In these regions the size of the herd is small, usually one or two cows. In the Satpura ranges the Khillaris are bred by professional breeders known as Thillaris. These breeders produce bulls and bullocks. Khillaris are classified as "medium fast draft". Breeding is carried out by the Government of Mahararashtra at Hingoli, Jath and Junoni and by the Government of Karnataka at Bankapur.Indian breeding centres
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History

Characteristics

Varieties

Breeding

References

External links