Mudhol Hound Heritage Site

Mudhol was the seat of a small princely state ruled by the Ghorpade Maratha dynasty, and it is remembered today largely through a living piece of heritage rather than a monument: the Mudhol Hound, also known as the Caravan Hound or Pashmi, a lean sighthound bred here for generations for hunting and guarding. The breed’s development and preservation is credited in large part to the patronage of Mudhol’s royal family, particularly Raja Malojirao Ghorpade in the early 20th century, who worked to standardise and promote it.

The Mudhol Hound is one of very few dog breeds indigenous to India to receive formal recognition from the Kennel Club of India, and it has since been adopted by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces for tracking and guard duties, as well as featuring in Republic Day parade contingents. A government-supported breeding and conservation centre in Mudhol works to maintain the breed’s bloodlines.

The site is a reminder that the Philately Passport’s heritage trail covers living cultural inheritance as well as stone monuments.

Getting there: Mudhol town sits on NH48 (Pune-Bengaluru highway), about 40 km from Bagalkot. The post office is in the town centre.