Institutionalization of veterinary science in colonial India

Abstract

This brief report examines the origin of the Western veterinary medical science and development of various veterinary medical Institutions in India during the colonial period. The veterinary science has been in existence in India since the ancient period. During the medieval period, the animal husbandry was also paid attention. But, with the expansion of British rule, the whole scenario of animal husbandry practices changed in India. The cattle diseases such as Cattle Plague (Rinderpest), Foot and Mouth Disease, Anthrax, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Blackquarter etc. were widespread and these had an adverse effect on the economy and public health in India There were no veterinary schools and colleges to control the animal diseases during the pre and early colonial period. The Indian Cattle Plague Commission (1869) recommended the establishment of veterinary institutions under the colonial management. As a result, Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory was established at Poona (1890); further, shifted to Mukteshwar in 1893 with a branch of Izatnagar (1913). Within a decade of its introduction nearly half a million doses were being administered annually. The introduction of the Western veterinary science was an important landmark in the history of the Indian animal husbandry. The beginning of animal vaccination was an important milestone which ushered in the process of immunization for the animals.