[12] Zebu cattle were found to derive from the Indian form of aurochs and have first been domesticated between 7,000 and 6,000 YBP at Mehrgarh, present-day Pakistan, by people linked to or coming from Mesopotamia.

[13][14][15][16] Its wild ancestor, the Indian aurochs, became extinct during the Indus Valley civilisation likely due to habitat loss, caused by expanding pastoralism and interbreeding with domestic zebu.

[5][17] Its latest remains ever found were dated to 3,800 YBP, making it the first of the three aurochs subspecies to die out.

[18][19] Archaeological evidence including depictions on pottery and rocks suggests that humped cattle likely imported from the Near East was present in Egypt around 4,000 YBP.

[21] Zebu, as well as many Sanga cattle, have humps on the shoulders, large dewlaps and droopy ears.

[22] Compared to taurine cattle, the zebu is well adapted to the hot tropical savanna climate and steppe environments.

The gestation period averages 285 days, but varies depending on the age and nutrition of the mother.

[27] Zebu are very common in much of Asia, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and China.

Other breeds of zebu are quite local, like the Hariana from Haryana, Punjab[52] or the Rath from Alwar district, Rajasthan.

Their importation marked a change in cattle ranching in Brazil as they were considered "ecological" since they could graze on natural grasses[Is there a ruminant that can't?

[definition needed][55] In the early 20th century in Brazil, Zebu were crossbred with Charolais cattle, a European taurine breed.

Another Charolais cross-breed with Brahmans is called Australian Charbray and is recognised as a breed in some countries.

[61]: 130  In the postvedic period products like milk, curd, ghee, but also cow dung and urine gomutra, or the combination of these five panchagavya began to assume an increasingly important role in ritual purification and expiation.