Nimari
In its own language: निमारि
A red, white-patched draught zebu from the Nimar region of central India
A medium to large zebu breed from the Nimar region of central India, formed from the Gyr and the Khillari. Usually red with patches of white on the skin, with a bulging forehead and thick, protruding ears, it is kept for draught work and its cows give an average milk yield.
- A draught breed from the Nimar region of central India
- Formed from the Gyr and the Khillari of the Tapi Valley strain
- Coat mainly red, with patches of white on the skin
- Found in the Narmada valley and in Jalgaon district
- Ears thick and protruding, not pendulous; forehead bulging
What do Nimari cattle look like?
Nimari is a zebu breed, so the animals carry a hump, and it belongs to the cattle of central India. The build is medium to large. The body is long and straight and well proportioned, and the forehead bulges. The ears are thick and stand out; they do not hang loose in the way some other Indian cattle do. The legs are sturdy and straight, and the hooves are strong, which suits rough ground. The coat is mainly red, and the skin carries patches of white. The walk is described as graceful. The temperament is aggressive.
Where does the Nimari come from?
The breed takes its name from the Nimar region of India. It was formed from two other breeds, the Gyr and the Khillari, the Khillari here being the Tapi Valley strain. The red colour of the Nimari is compared with that of the Gir variety, whose home is Girnar. The cattle are kept in the Narmada valley in Madhya Pradesh and in Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. From Barwani and Khargone districts they spread into Khandwa and parts of Harda.
What the Nimari is known for
Nimari cattle are known for their aggressive temperament, so they need firm, steady handling. They are also built for hard going. The limbs are strong and straight, and the hooves are hard enough to cope with rough terrain. That combination of a hot temper and tough feet and legs is what the breed is noted for. Cows are ordinary milkers rather than heavy yielders.
Nimari, drawn
What the Nimari is kept for
The Nimari is a draught breed, kept for work. Oxen pull ploughs and carts, and their strong legs and hard hooves suit uneven, stony ground. Cows are described as very average milk yielders, so the breed is not a heavy milker and milk is a modest return rather than the main reason for keeping the animals. The straight, sturdy build that makes good oxen is the same feature the breed is known for.
The land and climate of the Nimari
The breed belongs to the Nimar region and the Narmada valley in central India, and to Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. This is country where the ground is often rough, and the cattle are said to withstand such terrain. Their straight, sturdy limbs and strong hooves are the features that make this possible. They are also found across several districts of Madhya Pradesh, from Barwani and Khargone into Khandwa and parts of Harda.
Numbers, conservation and the herd book
The Nimari is spread over a defined stretch of central and western India. Its range begins in Barwani and Khargone districts of Madhya Pradesh, runs into Khandwa district and parts of Harda, and reaches the Narmada valley. Across the state border it is kept in Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. The Nimar region gives the breed its name.
Questions people ask about Nimari
Where does the Nimari come from?
It comes from the Nimar region of India, which gives the breed its name. The cattle are kept in the Narmada valley in Madhya Pradesh and in Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, with Barwani, Khargone, Khandwa and parts of Harda within their range.
What is the Nimari kept for?
It is a draught breed, so its main job is work, pulling ploughs and carts. Cows are described as very average milk yielders, which means milk is a small return rather than the purpose of the herd.
What does a Nimari look like?
The cattle are medium to large and long in the body, with a bulging forehead and thick ears that stick out rather than hang down. The coat is mainly red, with patches of white on the skin, and the legs and hooves are strong.
What is its temperament like?
The breed is described as aggressive in temperament, so it is not the easiest cattle to handle. Its strong limbs and hard hooves, on the other hand, make it well suited to rough, stony ground.
Which breeds is the Nimari related to?
It was formed from the Gyr and the Khillari, the Khillari being the Tapi Valley strain. Its red colour is compared with that of the Gir variety, which comes from the Girnar area.
Good reading and sources
- Nimari cattle on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nimari 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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