Breeds of Hisar
A Haryana city whose government livestock farm, dating from 1809, helped shape the Hariana breed of the northern plains.
Breeds of this place
Best time: November to February, the cool season on the plains.
Hisar lies on the dry plains of western Haryana, in the heart of the country of the Hariana cow. In 1809 a livestock farm was set up here to breed bullocks and horses for the army, and it grew into one of the oldest and largest government livestock farms in Asia. Today the city is a centre of animal science, with a veterinary university and national research institutes.
The Hariana breed
The Hariana is a tall, white or light-grey zebu with a long face and short horns. It is dual-purpose: the bullocks are powerful at the plough and the cart, and the cows give a fair yield of milk. The breed takes its name from the region, and Hisar, Rohtak, Jind and Bhiwani form its home tract. Herds from the government farm have long been used to improve village cattle across the north.
A city of animal science
The government livestock farm still covers a large area on the edge of the city. Hisar is also home to a veterinary and animal sciences university, a large agricultural university and a national institute for buffalo research. Village fairs and markets in the surrounding districts trade Hariana cattle, Murrah buffaloes and crossbred dairy cows, and the region remains one of India's main sources of milk.
A trail idea for Hisar
- Government Livestock Farm The 1809 farm on the edge of the city, still breeding cattle.
- Firoz Shah Palace complex The fourteenth-century ruins at the heart of the old town.
- University campuses The agricultural and veterinary universities on the city's roads.
- Village markets Weekly cattle markets in the nearby villages of the Hariana tract.
Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Government Livestock Farm, Hisar" on Wikipedia. Fair dates, markets and visiting rules change; check locally before travelling, and keep a respectful distance from working animals. If something is wrong, tell us.
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