History
No other living being has influenced the history of mankind as much as the horse. As a a weapon of war, as the means of transport and for nutrition. It has decided wars and altered destinies.
The horse was domesticated, tamed and dominated by man, but it’s beauty, grace, the perfection of body and movements only flourish in freedom when it is able to cast eyes over wide open countryside. In freedom the horse becomes an almost mythical legendry creature, once again beautiful and worthy of worship in it’s divine dignity.”
In Vedas it is described that long, long ago Lord Brahma, creator of the universe, performed a yagna and from the ritual flames emerged a winged horse. In Ramayan and Mahabharata the description of horses & chariots is given. The medicines for treatment of ailment of horses is described in details by Rishis. The great Rishi Shalihotra had written on the subject. The rarely found books which were hand written are known as Shalihotras.
Popular opinion asserts that the horse materialised in to Indian consciousness at the dawn of the Vedic era,around 2000 BC. However, recent excavations at Surkutoda in Kutch, Gujarat, have unearthed horse bones, pointing to its presence as a domesticated animal during the Indus Valley Civilization dating back to 2500 BC.
In the arid zone of India in Rajasthan in Marwar region a horse breed exists which is known as the ‘Marwari’, an elegant medium height, strong horse with an outstanding track record of bravery and loyalty in the battle fields of medieval periods. Famous for traveling long distances, they have strong feet and hooves.
The Marwari has his home in the area called Malani, which is part of Barmer district of Marwar, in the villages Nagar, Gudha, Jasol, Sindhari, Bakhasar, Posana, Badgaon, Daspan and some areas of Sanchore Tehsil of Jalore District and some area of North Gujrat. These areas are said to be the nucleus of the Marwari Horse.
The nearby Pali and Jodhpur districts also have some famous breeders. The others who are fond of Marwari Horses have taken it to the districts of Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer and even to Gujarat and Kathiawar and to other states. Some horses have gone abroad to Srilanka and the United States. A good number of Marwari Horses can be seen in famous fairs of Pushkar, Tilwara and Nagour.
The bardic literature of Rajasthan speaks very highly of Marwari Horses, of their heroic exploits, leaping on to Howdahs of elephants and crossing over high barrier walls of cities and forts. A few of the famous horses; “Chetak” of Maharana Pratap, “Udal” of Amar Singh Rathore, who leapt over the walls of Agra fort, “Kesar Kalmi” of Pabuji, and Veer Durga Das’ s “Arbud” are few of the Historic horses of Indian history.
The rulers of Indian states were found of good horses and they had very precious animals with them. The characteristics were precisely maintained. The Thakurs also had horses and maintained the true to the class and sub class of the breed. This how the Marwari breed was preserved. The breed had biggest set back during the British rule in India when they brought the English Thoroughtbreds and the Australian horses in India. The Indigenous Marwari horse suffered and lost many of it’s good blood horses.
After Independence of India the Jagir system was abolished. The Jagirdars were in no position to maintain the Marwari horses and hence the good Marwari horses started disappearing.
Due to Ceiling there was no land available for grazing of horses and this was another blow to the Marwari Horse’s survival. After world war I the period of automobiles and machines came in, horse carriages were replaced by automobiles and bullocks by tractors. The road network facilitated their development and the decline of the horse and bullock use. Gradually good stock disappeared. It was the personal interest of some breeders and horse lovers who maintained the bloodlines of good stock. The limited use of horses was for travel from one village to another and the major uses was ceremonial and religious.
The Marwari Horse Society is a legendary institute since past many many years. Formerly there were a Marwari Horse breeders association, Marwari Horse Welfare society etc etc.. The Marwar Horse & Cattle shows were held from 1984 under aegis of these societies. In 1998 the Marwari Horse Society was formed and later named as All India Marwari Horse Society and it was registered as such in 2003 vide registration no. Societies Registration Act of XXI 1860 with Registrar of Societies Govt. of N.C.T. of Delhi.
It is now a National body which is working for the promotion, preservation and welfare of Marwari horse having its chapters in the States of India and having affiliated bodies in many countries. Late Raja Bhupat Singh of Umaid Nagar had great contribution as breeder, organizer of horse shows, and promoting Marwari Horses in Marwar, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The present shape of All India Marwari Horse Society is because of his dedication to the cause of Marwari Horse.
The Story of the Visit of His Highness Maharaja Umaid Singh to the Thikana of Badgoan is heard even today. Before the departure of His Highness, he was to select a stallion to be presented to him as “Nazar” by then Th. Malam Singh out of 18 beautiful specimens.
These were some of the finest horses available in the Rathore Kingdom, sired by the most legendary and great VANGALIA stallion. Advised by his Aides, His Highness requested the Thakur to present VANGALIA to him, even though he was not lined up. VANGALIA came; handsome, beautiful, proud, elegant, big and attractive and stood before his Royal spectator. Thakur Malam Singh’s face brightened when the big hearted and wise Monarch declared that VANGALIA would not leave Badgoan as he had given a lot to the breed and was ideally stationed where mares from whole of South Marwar and North Gujarat and Sirohi benefited. One of his younger colts went to the Royal Stables in Jodhpur.