69
Breeding in
Native States.
395. I feel that the time has arrived when Rulers of Native States might be
asked to co-operate with the Government of India in the extension of horse and
mule-breeding. A number of Native Chiefs possess home studs; amongst others
might specially be noted the States of Patiala, Ulwar, Jeypore, Jodhpore, Gwa-
lior, Bhavnagar and numerous others in Katkiawar; but home studs do but
little to foster horse-breeding. What we require to do is to so far interest the
Native Chiefs that they will extend it in the districts of their States.
396. All the more important has this subject become since the mainte-
nance by these States of Imperial Service Cavalry. Roughly speaking, 8,000
horses and 1,700 mules are maintained. Of these, the Kashmir and Punjab
States Cavalry obtain their remounts mainly from fairs in the Punjab, whilst
other States are mainly mounted on Arabs and Australians.
397. We have evidence, during the year under review, that 102 remounts
were bought at shows and fairs; this, however, cannot in any way represent the
number actually purchased in our various breeding districts. The highest
price paid for remounts for Imperial Service Troops was Rs. 300, and the lowest
Rs. 200, whilst the highest for Native Cavalry was Rs. 500 and Rs. 190 re-
spectively; the averages being Rs. 242 for Native Cavalry and Rs. 229 for
Imperial Service Troops.
398. It will be seen that these two branches of the service purchase
identically the same class of remount, and the institution of the Imperial Ser-
vice Troops Cavalry adds another difficulty experienced by Native Cavalry in
obtaining remounts, the former now entering into competition in our fairs
and shows.
399. We should, I consider, make the Imperial Service Troops Cavalry
self-supporting, or, in other words, the States now possessing such should, in
years to come, be able to remount their own cavalry and transport, and with
this view I purpose addressing the Government of India, asking that I may be
permitted to visit various Native States, as opportunities offer, with a view of
endeavouring to interest the Native Chiefs in the matter. Much can, I feel,
be done in this way; I would point out specially to the Mamdot Estate. This
commenced in a small way under the late Nawab and has gradually grown to be
one of our best shows. I would specially draw attention to the report of the
Remount Agent quoted below, referring to the remount stock purchased by him
at the Jellalabad Horse Show:—
This fair promises to be one of the best in the Punjab, and competition appears keen.
The Mamdot Estate have a good collection of young stock which will prove of great assistance
to the Remount Department. I understand that this estate have 90 head of stock already
and about 90 more brood-mares are expected to be brought on the strength of the farm.
The young stock being brought up on the liberty system promise well.
Unbranded
mares
served
by Government
stallions.
400. On 5th October 1892 sanction was accorded by the Government of
India for unbranded mares, selected by district officers, to be covered by Gov-
ernment stallions under certain conditions; and the Local Governments, North-
-estern Provinces and Oudh and Punjab, were asked in No. 2373-2374-18,
dated 5th October 1892, from the Revenue and Agricultural Department, to
instruct the Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Department, to report the result
of the experiment in their Annual Reports.
401. No mention was made of the experiment by either the Superinten-
dent, North-Western Provinces and Oudh or Punjab. I have, however, as-
certained that three mares were selected in the district of Bareilly, two of which
were subsequently approved and one rejected by the Superintendent, North-
Western Provinces and Oudh.
In North Punjab, one was selected in Shahpur,
one „
„
in Hazara,
but the Superintendent makes no mention as to whether he has inspected these
mares or not.
402, The attention of the Local Governments and Superintendents will
be called to the omission, with a view of more reliable information being ob-
tained next year.