Hallikar
Tireless · Upright · Spare
Not a Sudesi ghee
A southern draught breed of Karnataka, prized for stamina and bearing.
Born of the Deccan
There will be no Hallikar ghee. She is a draught breed, and a jar would mean asking her to be something she is not. She is here because a record of the desi cow that only included the ones we sell would not be a record at all.
The breed
A grey coat, a compact muscular frame, and long horns carried close and sweeping back. Known for stamina and an upright bearing.
The land
The southern Deccan of Karnataka, dry country of hard ground and long summers.
The people
The Hallikar herders of southern Karnataka, who bred her for work and for bearing.
Her history
From southern Karnataka, and the foundation of the Amritmahal, the draught herd maintained by the rulers of Mysore. Several other Deccan breeds trace back to her.
Her milk
Low, and we will not dress that up. She was never bred for the pail. Her worth is in the yoke.
Where she stands
Her decline follows the bullock's. Where fields are ploughed by machine, a draught breed becomes a cost rather than an asset.