Zebu models

I am lucky to have grown up around some of the finest Zebu cattle in the world. Belonging to India's most well renowned cattle breeding family, and growing up amidst an environment of dedication, hard-work, and love of nature and animals, I received the extensive knowledge and understanding of the Zebu bloodlines and their qualities.

After moving the USA, I continued to have a strong affinity to my roots and the environment in which I was raised. Recently, I happened to come in contact online, with a most amazing artist, well accomplished in the design of model cattle, of the type popularized by the Breyer cattle models. I contacted her, and on sharing with her some pictures of the cattle from Sagwadi, I was amazed at the models that she was able to generate for me.

I was ecstatic at her amazing work, and had her create multiple models! I am proud of my collection and they help me feel closer to the unique upbringing that I had in Bhavnagar.

The Farm

Over the years, The Sagwadi farm has seen many changes. The vast expanse of open grassland that once constituted this beautiful property, bordering on one side, the wildlife reserver called Victoria Park, and on the other, the outlying marshes of the Bor-Talav or the Gauri Shankar lake, was eventually gifted to K.S. Bahadursinhji, by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. K.S. Bahadursinhji continued the cattle breeding activities, and was the relations with Brazil flourished over the years. When K. S. Pradipsinhji Raol, the eldest son of K.S. Bahadursinhji, came of age, he joined the farm and was invited to Brazil by Mr. Celso Garcia Cid to visit Brazil. in Brazil, he was welcomed and treated like family. 


He was trained in various veterinary and cattle identification skills, and was also taught how to converse in Portuguese. This visit proved to be an important event in the Gir cattle industry of Brazil. On his return to Bhavnagar, K.S. Pradipsinhji immersed himself fully in the cattle breeding activities and was soon expanding the Brazilian experience in India. He assisted Mr. Cid and has family to obtain the highest quality bloodlines of Gir, Kachchi (Vadhiyara), and Nelore cattle and, with strong support and assistance from his younger brother, K.S. Vishwadeepsinhji, was able to convert the Sagwadi farm into its present state.

Although, over time the farm has greatly reduced its total land spread, it is still the most unique and beautiful cattle farm in the region. Apart from various high quality Zebu bloodlines of cattle, the farm also houses some 5 or so pure-bred Kathiawari horses, privately owned by K.S. Pradipsinhji, along with some very good specimen of the Jaffarabadi buffaloes, which are quite undoubtedly the largest breed of buffalo in the world. There is also an artificial insemination and collection laboratory, the only authorized facility of its kind in India, at this farm. 

With the rapidly increasing population of the city of Bhavnagar, this beautiful farm faces much pressure in the present day.  The farm is now surrounded by housing and commercial enterprises. Extreme human pressure and resultant pollution have a significant effect to the natural environment that was once available to this unique and beautiful cattle farm. With the legacy of many years, and some of Brazil and India's most well known cattle experts finest specimen, this farm continues to flourish even in such extreme times.


Here are some resources:

• Article on the Bhavnagar farm from the Times of India
• Link to the Brasil Gir Farms

History

Sagwadi, is a cattle farm located in Bhavnagar, a port city in the state of Gujarat in Western India. What is significant about this farm, is that it is perhaps the most unique cattle farm in India in terms of the blood-lines of the cattle that are bred and maintained here. The farm originally belonged to H.H., the late Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji of Bhavnagar, but was later gifted to his cousin, the late K.S. Bahadursinhji of Lakhanka. Sagwadi was private Gau-shala or cattle farm, maintained solely for the prized Gir or Geer bloodlines of cattle owned by the late Maharaja.  The specimen bred at this farm were renowned world over for their quality and purity, and finally led to cattle barons from Brazil to be attracted to Bhavnagar to offer the possibilities of export of such specimen for breeding, to Brazil. After some discussions with the Maharaja and K.S. Bahadursinhji, who at that time was managing the cattle farms of  Bhavnagar, Mr. Celso Garcia Sid, the pioneer of Brazilian Zebu cattle imports, was able to take the first Gir specimen to Brazil, and laid a foundation for a long standing relationship between Brazil and the Raol family of Bhavnagar in terms of a collaborative cattle breeding and development activity.

• Link to Brasilian partnerhsip