In the 19th and early 20th centuries, mutton was a crucial protein source in the Indian diet, particularly in the Deccan region around Poona, Maharashtra. Despite a large meat-eating population, the quality of mutton was low due to inadequate breeding practices. Early colonial efforts aimed to enhance sheep breeds, particularly the local Dumba and Deccani varieties, which were preferred for their meat. The East India Company initiated breeding projects in 1836, introducing fine-wooled rams from England and Cape Colony. However, these efforts were often abandoned or met with limited success. By the early 20th century, the agriculture department recognized sheep breeding as a lucrative industry, leading to organized breeding programs and the establishment of a sheep breeding station in Poona in 1937. This marked a pivotal shift towards scientific approaches in sheep farming. Post-independence, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research continued these efforts, focusing on developing superior hybrids suited to local conditions. The evolution of sheep breeding in the Deccan reflects a broader narrative of agricultural development in India.