Singh142536: Made Entry

2025-08-29T18:37:27Z

Made Entry

New page

{{Short description|Breed of cattle in southern India}}
{{Infobox cattle breed
| name = Poda Thurpu
| image =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| status =
| altname =
| country = India
| distribution =
| standard =
| use =
| nickname =
| weight =
| maleweight =
| femaleweight =
| height =
| maleheight =
| femaleheight =
| skincolor =
| skincolour =
| coat =
| horn =
| subspecies =
| note =
}}
'''Poda Thurpu''', also known as '''Thurpu Edlu''' or '''Poda Edlu''', is a breed of cattle found chiefly in [[Nagarkurnool]] district, [[Telangana]] state in southern India. ''Poda'' is a local word meaning "spotted" or "speckled", referring to the brown or white patches on the animal's coat, while ''thurpu'' is the Telugu word for "east", which refers to the origin of the breed in eastern Telangana.<ref name="nativepicture">{{Cite web |title=Poda Thurpu, the cattle that fights tigers |url=https://nativepicture.com/poda-thurpu-the-cattle-that-fights-tigers/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=Native Picture |language=en-US}}</ref>

It is bred in the hilly and forested section of Nagarkurnool that forms part of the [[Nallamala Hills]].

== History and cultural significance ==
Permits signed by the [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam]], allowing Poda Thurpu cattle to graze in the area, exist from 1836.<ref name="nativepicture" />

Poda Thurpu have traditionally been bred and kept by [[Lambadis|Lambadi]] and [[Golla (caste)|Golla]] families employing [[Chenchu people|Chenchu]] herders, and have had an important role in the cultures of these communities. The herds, which mainly live in forested areas, migrate for several months every year in order to get to better grazing grounds, making it necessary for the keepers of the herds to migrate with them. Local festivals often involve ceremonies intended to bring luck to cattle herders or protection to the cattle.<ref name="nativepicture" />

== Characteristics ==
The cattle are strong and compact and characterised by a high level of endurance in dry and hot conditions. They have a white coat with brown patches or a red or brown coat with white patches, straight horns, and a convex forehead with a groove at the center. Their hoofs are strong and resistant to long exposure to either wet or dry ground. The bullocks are used mainly as [[Working animal#Roles and specializations|draught animals]].<ref name="dairyknowledge">{{Cite web |title=Poda Thurpu |url=https://www.dairyknowledge.in/article/poda-thurpu |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=Dairy Knowledge Portal |publisher=Animal Breeding Group, NDDB }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Poda Thurpu |url=https://nbagr.icar.gov.in/en/poda-thurpu/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=ICAR - National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources|language=en-US}}</ref>

They are also reportedly aggressive in nature, and capable of fending off predators to protect their young.<ref name="nativepicture" />

== Recognition as indigenous breed ==
Poda Thurpu was recognised by Telangana as its first officially-recognised indigenous cattle breed on 16 August 2020. It was registered at the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) in Haryana.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Breeds Registered|url=https://nbagr.icar.gov.in/en/new-breeds-lines/|website=nbagr.icar.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Telangana's first indigenous cattle breed 'Poda Thurpu' registered at NBAGR|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2020/feb/20/telanganas-first-indigenous-cattle-breed-poda-thurpu-registered-at-nbagr-2105975.html|access-date=2021-10-11|website=The New Indian Express|date=20 February 2020 }}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cattle breeds originating in India]]

Poda Thurpu - Revision history

Singh142536: Made Entry