BRAHMIN BULL 
The Zebu race has a very wide range of locality, being found in India, China, Madagascar, 
and the eastern coast of Africa. It is believed, however, that its native land is India, 
and that it must have been imported from thence into the other countries. 
There are various breeds of Zebu, some being about the size of our ordinary cattle, and 
others varying in dimensions from a large Ox to a small Newfoundland dog. One of the 
most familiar of these varieties is the well-known Brahmin Bull, so called because 
it 1s considered to be sacred to Bramah. 
The more religious among the Hindoos, scrupulously observant of the letter of a law 
which was intended to be universal in its application, but to which they give only a 
partial interpretation, indulge this animal in the most absurd manner. They place the 
sacred mark of Siva on its body, and permit it to wander about at its own sweet will, 
pampered by every luxury, and never opposed in any wish or caprice which it may form. 
A Brahmin Bull will walk along the street with a quaintly dignified air, inspect anything 
and anybody that may excite his curiosity, force every one to make way for himself, and if 
he should happen to take a fancy to the contents of a fruiterer’s or greengrocer’s shop, will 
deliberately make his choice, and satisfy his wishes, none daring to cross him, The 
indulgence which is extended to this animal is carried to so great a height, that if a 
Brahmin Bull chooses to lie down in a narrow lane, no one can pass until he gets up of 
his own accord. 
Bishop Heber, in his well-known journal, mentions the Brahmin Bulls and the 
unceremonious manner in which they conduct themselves, and remarks that they are 
sometimes rather mischievous as well as annoying, being apt to use their horns if their 
caprices be not immediately gratified. 
