Khillari गाय

खिल्लार

The galloping draught bullocks of the Deccan.

मूल क्षेत्र: Sholapur, Sangli, Satara; spilling into north Karnataka

प्रतिदिन दूध (अधिकतम)

2–4 L

प्रति ब्यांत दूध (~300 दिन)

500–1,200 L

दूध वसा

4.5%

वयस्क वज़न

350–450 kg

विशिष्ट विशेषताएँ

रोम/त्वचा: Greyish-white; bulls darker, almost black on shoulders.

Compact, muscular, athletic build
Long, sharply pointed horns swept back — used historically for bullock races
Tight skin, minimal dewlap
Athletic gait

स्वभाव और उपयोगिता

Among the fastest draught bullocks in India
Used in traditional bullock races (now banned/regulated)
Modest milker
Endurance — covers long distances at speed

इतिहास और वंशावली

Khillari was the breed behind the traditional bullock cart races of Maharashtra and north Karnataka — events that drew thousands of spectators before being curtailed by animal welfare regulations. With the decline of both bullock races and draught agriculture, Khillari numbers have fallen sharply. Maharashtra and Karnataka's animal husbandry departments run small conservation herds.

Khillari क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है

Khillari illustrates how culture, sport, and animal husbandry are entangled. When the use-case (racing, draught) disappeared, so did the economic reason to keep the breed. Saving Khillari requires re-imagining its role — gaushala adoption, organic dung supply, or low-intensity dairy.