Mewati
A white dual-purpose Indian breed from the Mewat region, kept for milk and work
Mewati, also called Kosi, is an indigenous cattle breed of India named after the Mewat region. The cattle are white almost without exception, with brown shades appearing rarely, and they are kept as a dual-purpose breed for milking and for work, with bulls noted for strength and endurance.
- An indigenous Indian breed of cattle, also known as Kosi
- Named after the Mewat region
- Almost always white, with brown shades occurring rarely
- Kept for both milk and draught work
- Bulls are noted for strength and endurance
What do Mewati cattle look like?
Mewati is an indigenous cattle breed of India, also called Kosi. The breed takes its name from the Mewat region. Its coat is white almost without exception, though brown shades do appear now and then. The animals are classed as a dual-purpose breed: the cows are good milkers and the breed also has ability at draught work. It is related to the Gyr and the Haryanvi. Bulls of this breed are noted for strength and endurance, and they are put to work in agriculture and for carting.
Where does the Mewati come from?
Mewati cattle belong to India and take their name from the Mewat region, the area with which they are identified. The breed is described as indigenous, meaning it was formed locally rather than brought in. It is related to two other Indian breeds, the Gyr and the Haryanvi. The second name, Kosi, is used alongside Mewati. These cattle are kept as working and milking animals rather than for a single purpose, and the breed is one of the country's many indigenous types.
What the Mewati is known for
The breed's reputation rests on two things: milk and work. Cows are described as good milkers, and the breed is classed as dual-purpose rather than as a specialist dairy animal. Bulls are known for their strength and endurance, the qualities that make them useful as working bullocks. That combination suits mixed farms, where the same herd covers the household's milk needs and the cultivation of the fields. The coat, nearly always white, is the breed's other distinguishing mark, with brown animals appearing only rarely.
Mewati, drawn
What the Mewati is kept for
Mewati cattle are a dual-purpose breed, kept for milk and for work. The cows are known as good milkers, so the herd supplies the household's dairy needs. The bulls carry the other half of the job. They are used in agriculture and for carting, and are noted for strength and endurance. That pairing of milk and muscle is the reason the breed is classed as dual-purpose rather than as a dairy or beef specialist.
From the Mewati
Questions people ask about Mewati
Where does the Mewati breed come from?
It comes from India and is named after the Mewat region, the area with which the cattle are identified. It is described as an indigenous breed, and it is related to the Gyr and the Haryanvi breeds.
What are Mewati cattle kept for?
They are a dual-purpose breed, kept for milk and for work. The cows have a good name as milkers, while the bulls are used in agriculture and for carting, with strength and endurance among their noted qualities.
What colour are Mewati cattle?
Almost all Mewati cattle are white. Brown shades do appear, but only rarely, so a white coat is the usual expectation for this breed.
Which breeds are Mewati cattle related to?
The breed is described as related to the Gyr and the Haryanvi, two other Indian cattle breeds. That suggests shared ancestry with the indigenous cattle of the subcontinent.
Do Mewati cattle have another name?
Yes. Mewati cattle are also known as Kosi. The main name comes from the Mewat region, while Kosi is used as a second name for the same breed.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mewati cattle", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryCow rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Sizes, colours and customs differ from one herd, valley or breeder to the next. Folk beliefs are described as tradition, never as advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-16.
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