Why Are There So Many Cows on Indian Roads?

By Sadhika on

Just the other day, a friend who had recently moved back to India from abroad hit me with the question: “Why are there so many cows on the streets?!” Now, for someone like me, who grew up in the chaotic charm of Indian roads, this question felt like asking why fish swim in water. But I realised it needed a deeper, more heartfelt answer. So, here's my attempt to break it down for anyone like my friend wondering about such pointless matters.

In most villages and towns, cows are free-grazing animals. They’re not confined to stables but are allowed to roam and forage for food, particularly in areas where greenery is sparse. As cities have expanded and encroached on grazing lands, cows now often end up roaming the streets in search of food, especially where they know people might feed them. Farmers, knowing their non-milking or aging cows are safe from harm in urban areas, let them loose, trusting that the streets will provide.

It’s Personal

In India, cows aren’t just livestock; they’re part of the family. And no, I’m not exaggerating! Many households have raised cows alongside their children for generations. My father and his siblings were raised on fresh milk from their very own pet cow, named Muttki. My generation, on the other hand, was the first in my family to get the short end of the stick with packaged milk.

Cows are seen as providers, not only of milk but of valuable resources like dung. Once collected, the dung is shaped into flat patties (known as uplas or kanda) and left to sunbathe until they’re thoroughly dried. These dried patties are then stored and used as fuel for cooking, especially in earthen stoves called chulhas. Imagine cooking your favourite curry over a fire fueled by good ol’ cow patties! But it doesn’t stop there. These humble cow dung patties are also used in religious rituals, as a natural fertiliser for crops, and even as insulation in traditional mud houses. 

People here develop real emotional bonds with their cows. They’ve been around the house, given fresh food, and treated like one of us. Imagine trying to drive away a family member just because they happened to wander down the road! Not gonna happen, right?

The Milkmen and Their Trusty Cows

India is the largest producer of milk in the world, and cows are the unsung(?) heroes this thriving dairy industry. Even in today’s bustling metropolitan cities like New Delhi, it’s not uncommon to see a milkman leading his cow down the streets at the crack of dawn, much like a bread delivery van in the West. People line up with their vessels, ready for that fresh-from-the-cow experience, and often bring leftovers from their kitchens to hand-feed the cows themselves.

For a country that’s modernising at lightning speed, this practice of getting milk straight from a cow on your doorstep is our charming contradiction. Plus, it’s a two-way relationship: the cow provides, and in return, we feed her. It’s hard to view these cows as mere street dwellers when they’re treated like royalty.

Why the Beef is...Well, Not Beef

In India, cows are revered as gaumata, or "mother cow," and eating beef is a big no-no. Most of what you find labelled as "beef" is actually buffalo meat. Speaking of beef, this reminds me of another harebrained friend of mine. Once upon a time, she found herself at a party with friends of different faiths, and they decided to experiment by ordering beef burgers. Her bravery didn’t last long. One bite, and the poor soul couldn't handle it—she threw up. Not once, but twice! The final straw? She ended up crying, and not just tears of regret. We still tease her about it every time we pass a burger joint. She has never lived that down.

Feeding Cows: A Sacred Ritual

It's not just about respect; feeding a cow is woven into our rituals. During festivals or religious ceremonies, feeding a cow is seen as auspicious. If a stray cow happens to wander into a shop or around a vegetable seller, it’s considered bad luck to shoo it away. You must give her something to eat. It’s one of those "golden rules" that has persisted for centuries. It's not that cows are freeloaders—they're just spiritually VIP.

Sacred Cows in Scriptures: From Kamdhenu to Nandi

Of course, the reverence for cows isn't just a modern sentiment. Sacred cows are everywhere in our scriptures. Take Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow of Hindu mythology, or Nandi, the sacred bull who serves as Lord Shiva’s mount. These divine cows aren’t just part of religious stories—they’re legends that have seeped into our everyday lives, reinforcing the idea that cows are much more than animals. They’re celestial beings grazing among us.

Cows have got history, religion, culture and our hearts on their side. Who could shoo away a creature with that kind of legacy?

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