Observations on the breeding of horses, within the Provinces under the Bengal establishment, submitted to the consideration of the President and members of the Board of Superintendence [of the East India Company, 1814].

  • Moorcroft, William.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the breeding of horses, within the Provinces under the Bengal establishment, submitted to the consideration of the President and members of the Board of Superintendence [of the East India Company, 1814]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    67/72 (page 52)
    Pcpit for Colts pro- poaM lo liuriyana. Ily piirchrurinfr Colts l>eUor H orses may be had, b\it whether cheaply, dc]>cnds uix>u the htucss of the Country. Colts of the Junprul BcckiUiocr and Buhawul- poor miuht be kept at lluriy;ma. Piithans of Bampoor at present ob- tain a largo numbcj. They sell the best to the Dukhun and offer the others to the Cavalry. A Colony In Gonik- noor might not bo ns no.althy or have Settlers fpiito os fit for the pur- suit Kisfeo system might succeed with them. The Bhuttees have been mentioned as particular dedra- ble, but of course, it is not meant to exclude Sikhs, or other persons, who may have been engaged in rearing Horses. After breeding Horses in the Company's own Provinces, the measure next in advantage, consists in obtaining a com- mand over the best Colts of the nearest breeding countries. For such Colts are frequently to be obtained at 10 to 18 months old, for low prices, as will, when three years old, from Horses far more valuable, than any that can he pro- cured of the same age, for the Army price. But whether this may prove a cheap method of providing Horses, will depend upon the healthiness of the country for Horses, and the price of Horse keep, as well as upon the original cost and judicious selection of the Colts. However, from Huriyana, an influence might be extended into the Lukhee Jungul, and even to Beekaner and Buhwalpoor, that would give a fair participation at least in the best produce of these countries ; and fcfr this I have laid a foundation. At pre- sent the Puthans of Eximpoor obtain a large portion of the Colts of the nearest Districts, the best of which they sell in the Dukhun ; and the remainder is employed in the service of Native Chiefs, or is offered to the British Cavalry. What I learned from the Horse-brokers of the Jungul and other sources, led me to believe, that with due man- agement, the purchase of the best Colts of these coun- tries, might be effected ; and this acquisition would form a very useful appendage to the Huriyana branch. In Gorukpoor a colony might be formed with more convenience perhaps than in Huriyana. But it is feared that the country is not equally healthy for Horses, that the Settlers procurable are not equally fit for the pursuit. For in Gurukpoor the breeders would be Zumeendar Brah- muns, Rajpoots, Mishurs and other classes of Hindoo hus- bandmen, or Moosulmans; persons, in fact, who take up Hoi’se-hreeding occasionally, and as a secondary object. With these the Nisfee system might succeed more com- pletely than heretofore, or than any plan hitherto adopted.