CHENNAI: Extending support to Jallikattu protests, noted historian Raja Chandra, also brother-in-law of late king Srikantadata Narasimha Wodeyar of Mysuru, called for a holistic view on the ongoing struggle to sustain traditional sports like Kambala in Karnataka.
While history has immortalised native breeds, they are unfortunately ignored in the present.
In an interview with Express, Chandra, says Mysuru dynasty, which ruled parts of Tamil Nadu between 1700 to 1799, shared Tamil culture and patronised Jallikattu and Kambala (Buffalo bulls race popular in coastal Karnataka). According to the senior Mysuru royal, passion for these sports was keeping the native breeds alive, which occupy a special place in history.
“Vijaynagar empire which ruled much of South India during 1336-1646 recognised the value of desi cow breeds and there appears to have been a separate department to look after them. Wodeyar who inherited part of the mantle at Srirangapatna further enriched this by reserving vast tracts of pastoral land known as “Kavals” for exclusive use of Palace cattle breeds.
It was in Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar’s time that the cattle establishment obtained recognition as one of the departments of the administration. It was called “Benne Chavadi” or “establishment of cows” both as a breeding stud and to furnish milk and butter for the palace. He introduced for the first time the system of branding them with his initial DE,” he said.
Later, the accumulated herds of the Mysuru Rajas passed on to Haidar Ali. Haidar was said to have kept at least 60,000 bulls in different parts of the State. Tipu added to these those of the Palegar of Hagalvadi. Chikka Devairaja Wodeyar’s suggestive name of ‘Benne Chavadi’, was changed in his time into a more pompous one of ‘Amrut Mahal’, Chandra said.
Sir Mark Cubbon, commissioner of Mysuru between 1834-1861 wrote thus: “It was this establishment which enabled Haidar Ali to march 100 mile’s in two days and a half to the relief of Chidambaram, and after every defeat to draw off his guns in the face of his enemies... It was also this establishment which enabled the Duke of Wellington to execute those movements of unexampled rapidity which are the admiration of every military man and in consideration of whose services he recommended it to protection in a letter addressed at the close of the war to the Commander-in-Chief.”
In 1803, the second Mahratta war broke out with Dowlat Rao Scindia and Raja of Berar playing truant with the British resurrection of Baji Rao as Peshwa. Mysuru forces were called upon to assist the Gen. Wellesley in subjugating the Mahratta Warlords. As much as 60,000 bullock cart load of grains were supplied by Mysuru to faraway battles of Assaye and Argaum, Chandra said quoting the annals of Mahratta war.
Meanwhile, allusions in the Wellington Dispatches show that the Great Duke often, during the Peninsular War in Spain, regretted that he didn’t have the assistance of the Amrut Mahal cattle.
Official records show that Amrut Mahal breeds became part of the Mysore Imperial Service Transport Corps and were part of the successful campaigns in Middle East during World War-1. Their excellent work has been referred to with appreciation in many dispatches from the General officer commanding Forces at Baghdad.
Their service along with that of Mysuru Lancers was immortalized by erecting a beautiful war memorial at Bangalore.