A note on Vedic pastoralism and it's Indian roots


It's been argued by many that the Vedic Aryans were primarily pastoralists who extensively relied on cattle and many people equate the ancestors of the Vedic people with the bronze age steppe pastoralists from the cultures such as the Yamnaya, Sintashta and Andronovo. But most of these authors neglect the fact that the Vedic pastoralism is wholly based on the native Indian humped zebu cattle (Bos Indicus) which was first domesticated in India and not the humpless steppe cattle (Bos taurus). Both of them belong to completely different cattle lineages.


Many instances in the Vedic literature emphasize the hump of the cattle. For instance in Rig Veda 10.8.2 there is explicit mention of God Agni as a young humped bull -


The Bull, the youngling with the hump, hath frolicked, the strong and never-ceasing Calf hath bellowed. Bringing our offerings to the God's assembly, he moves as Chief in his own dwelling-places.  - Rig Veda 10.8.2 translated by Ralph TH Griffith


In the Atharva Veda (Shaunaka Samhita 9.7.5) we again find the mention of hump (kakud) in the description of the divine bull which was seen as embodiment of the deities. This implies that Vedic people prized Indic zebu cattle unlike the steppe cattle.


The zebus were also of importance to the bronze age Harappans, as we see them being depicted in the Harappan art and iconography prominently. 



Harappan terracotta figurine, seal and pottery depicting zebu cattle. Source: Harappa.com


From this, it is quite evident that Vedic-Harappan people gave more emphasis on the native Indic cattle and it was of cultural significance in succeeding times as well. Humped cattle are commonly depicted on ancient coins and sculptures from historic times, and it became the mount of God Shiva and a symbol of Dharma itself.


Mauryan period Rampurva bull capital. Source - Wikimedia


Apart from zebus, the Vedic literature also alludes to mahisha or gaura, the water buffaloes, in various instances. In Rig Veda 1.164.41 there’s mention of a divine buffalo as an embodiment of sacred Vedic speech.


Forming the water-floods, the buffalo hath lowed, one-footed or two-footed or four-footed, she, Who hath become eight-footed or hath got nine feet, the thousand-syllabled in the sublimest heaven - Rig Veda 1.164.41 translated by Ralph TH Griffith


In other instances, buffalos served as sacrificial animals and the meat was offered to the Gods. 


When thou three hundred buffaloes' flesh hadst eaten, and drunk, as Maghavan, three lakes of Soma, All the Gods raised as ’twere a shout of triumph to Indra praise because he slew the Dragon. - Rig Veda 5.29.8 translated by Ralph TH Griffith


Like the zebus, the water buffaloes are native to India and first domesticated here. They also were of significance to the Harappans. Some of the Harappan seals also depict buffalo sacrifice.



Harappan seal depicting buffalo sacrifice. Source - Harappa.com



In sum, the Vedic pastoralism which was based on the zebus and buffaloes is not identical to the steppe pastoralism which relied on taurine cattle. Vedic pastoralism is of Indian origin, since both the zebus and the buffaloes valued by the Vedic Aryans were first domesticated in India. Hence, I feel we must seek the roots of Vedic pastoral tradition within India by keeping apart the steppe bias.

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