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Veterinary science has an early mention in some of the most ancient literature of India. Atharvaveda, the progenitor of Ayurveda provides significant information about ailments of animals and their cure through herbal medicines. Ancient Indian history is full of events and incidences pertaining to the importance of livestock in then society. Many legends and myths of traditional Indian culture have been found associated with plants and animals building and reinforcing the idea of world as a family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) where plants, animals and human beings were considered with an equal importance. This would be surprising to many who are not aware of Indian culture that most of the legends in Hindu mythology have been made associated with some plants and or some animal as their 18

representatives. This was probably to endorse importance to these creatures among the followers of the deity. Ancient India lived a life concentric with religion at its center and the cow (and other animals) occupying an important place, not merely for their nutritive lacto grounds, but also for cultural ethos. Ayurveda has many references to the diseases of animals and their cures. Caraka Samhita makes reference to jvara (pyrexia) and it is said that pyrexia affects every living being may it be human or animal or even insects. In earlier periods, when Ayurveda was supposed to be in full blown practice, there were specific branches of veterinary Ayurveda dealing with different species of animals and their disease. This science was possibly highly evolved and specialized as is indicated by various divisions of veterinary Ayurveda. The Gautama Samhita, the Asva Ayurveda and Hasti Ayurveda are the ancient treatises on animal science available till now. Palakapya, an ultimate authority on elephant medicine, belonged to the Rgvedic period 2000-4000 BC. He wrote Hasti Ayurveda dealing with elephant medicine and dedicated this to Lord Ganesa a deity with a human body and elephant head. Elephant medicine and surgery was further divided into four parts by Palakapya, viz., Maha Rogasthana or major 19

diseases, Ksudra Roga Sthana or minor diseases, Salya Sthana or surgery and Cikitsa Ethana or Materia Medica, diet and hygiene. He classified various ailments of elephants into: Adhyatmika (physical) and Agantuka (accidental or incidental); causes of ailments were classified as Manasa (caused by mental reasons) and Dosaja caused by disturbance of body humors-Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Hasti Ayurveda also mentions about anatomy of elephant, treatment of different kinds of diseases, training of elephant and also classification of elephants on the basis of a number of physical trait characteristics. Salihotra (2350 BC) was probably the first known veterinarian of the world and the father of Indian veterinary sciences.