B2 - Bandhavgarh's Regal Tyger

Bandhavgarh National Park

The fort of Bandhavgarh still stands tall, towering over the plateau and plains below. The plains plentiful of prey that flourish along side majestic big cats. Tigers, the dominant predator species has ruled these lands for ages. Once in a while a tiger appears in this landscape, that digs deep into the heart of many who admire these creatures. I came across one such tiger, talked and acclaimed by so many that getting into the pages of it's life was irresistible. As I unveil his chronicled life, I find myself not as a  narrator but an encomium. And then his name strikes back in the tympanum of my consciousness again and again...B2. B2. B2.

  Birth of the King

Summers are hot in this part of the world. Early in April even the sun rises in all it's glory and the denizens of the forest start feeling the heat. In these times, the golden rays bouncing back off a tiger's skin is as golden it can get. One such morning the royalty queen Mohini was seen carrying tiny cubs in her mouth to a safe location. Loving warmth and wrath of a tigress' jaws is unrivalled. Surprising as it is as how can those jaws of death be so kind and loving.  She gently strode through  the grass the tiny tot dangling down his mother's mouth. Mohini was introducing the prince to the jungle it seemed. But the fifteen day old cub was all unaware of this worldly affairs. A couple of weeks back in 1997 Mohini had delivered 3 cubs, later fondly named B1, B2 and B3. Though the fact that who fathered the cubs was not really clear as Mohini had been seen mating Charger as well Mamu some months back. As per people of Bandhavgarh, it was Charger. So, the future king had arrived in the land of forgotten forts... a tiger who would bring Bandhavgarh into limelight of the world and claimed to be the most photographed tiger in the wild. He was B2, Sundar.

B2 Walking proudly in his kingdom

Very little is known of his early years as he stayed away from the tourism area. It is believed he remained in his mother's territory growing up strong with his brothers. He was bonded strongly with his mother. Something in him was different from his siblings, B3 being the most shy stayed away from curious eyes and B1 though a spent time in limelight but faded away. Youth makes you do reckless things and B2 was no exception. He strayed away into human territories after he left his mother at around two years of age. He spent most of his young years in the buffer zone, thriving on cattle kills. This concerned the park authorities as he always risked the wrath of villagers and being targeted by poachers. But he survived somehow. Villagers were quite tolerant to this young tiger, conflict never ensued. By the year 2000, B2 had grown up to be a handsome tiger and his confidence boosted him to invade the core zone now. True to his lineage he was a fighter and what a splendid way to commence his ascendance he choose... going for his father's throne, the mighty "Charger". Winters of 2000 witnessed the coronation of new king of the Tala zone. Charger was old now, he had lost a few canines and his eyesight was giving way. But he never intended to give away his kingdom without a fight. Initially B2 just kept picking at him time and again. And one fateful day his instincts rendered him that he could overpower his father. The forest woke up to deafening roars and growls of Charger and B2 on a cold winter night. Forest dweller knew a royal battle was eventuating as the prince was attempting for his rightful throne. With the first light dawn Tala had a new king... B2 stood proud and Charger had retreated carting his injured body and ego.

B2's Regnant

B2 standing tall over another tiger

Winds of change, dry and hoarse but change is the only constant in nature. The initial days of B2's reign were testing times. Though the king he still roamed around his mother's territory. Somehow he still clinged on emotionally to his mother. After her death he stayed from her territory for a long time as if he missed her and he was mourning. A behavior never before documented with tigers. A tiger is a solitary animal...and a tiger gets in term with it one day or the other. He moved on, he had to. 

Years came and went by, he fought battles, won the heart of many tigress. Turn of events mettled him into a "Regal Tiger". He retarded many attempts at his throne, fiercely defending his kingdom. Marks of battles ornately adorned his body. He had a long term feud with  "Bokha" male who ruled the areas of Sakhipathia, Rajbehra and Sehra. Some battles he won and some he stepped down. His experience had edified him when to stand ground and when to just move aside. He ruled the Tala zone from 2000-2009 and mostly roamed the areas around "Badi gunfa" and eastern region of "Banbehi" near the Bandhavgarh fort.

B2 on a prowl in his kingdom

B2 in his bosom moments

He mated with many tigresses during his reign that includes Chakradhar female, Mirchani female, Banbehi female and Langdi. The park in the upcoming years was ruled by his bloodline. Some of them became very famous tigers of the park, like "Bamera" and "Jhujhura". B2 was not only august among the ladies but also the park authorities and tourists. Photographs of him spread world wide, so did his fame. B2 was first photographed when he was 15 days old and his last photograph was of a few days prior to his death. He sired many cubs over the years from different females and was known to spent a lot of time with his family.

In a strange occurrence of events in 2009, following the death of Banbehi female he raised the three

B2 meeting up with Mirchani male cub

cubs whom he had fathered the previous year. Banbehi is a mountainous terrain, a difficult hunting ground but against all odds he was seen hunting for the cubs. He would make sporadic appearances with the cubs, mostly with Mirchani male cub (of whom he was found of it seemed). He had also fathered "Jhujhura" female, who was considered to a be promising tigress to the park as she was expected to litter many cubs in the years ahead. Fate had different plans though, Jhurjhura met an untimely death when she was run down by a speeding vehicle on May 2011 while she was raising a litter of two cubs.

The Twilight days of the king

B2 bearing injuries after a battle with Bamera

The year on the calendar bore 2010 and B2 body bore wrinkles with shaggy fading skin. As a tiger grows old his bright orange skin coat decolours. He was constantly confronted by his son "Bamera" for a claim at kingship. He might have smiled to himself then saying... "Ahhhh, like father like son." In tiger's tradition every prince one day will lay claim to his father's kingdom. For Bamera the time had come and for B2 time had gone.

Father son skirmish

Last two years of his life B2 faced many challenges mostly from his sons. In April 2010, B2 was badly injured during a feud with Bamera and he was seen being chased off by him. He bore some serious injuries to his face and flanks. Days were dusking now for B2 as he had lost a part of his territory to his worthy son.
One such attempt was made by "Kallu" his son in February 2011. May be Kallu misconstrued his father. When the sun was blistering it's rays on the small plateau overlooking "Ghoda damon", barely a kilometer away from "Badi gunfa"... Father and son locked paws. An event witnessed by some tourists and guides. They narrated the skirmish being a
brief one. "Kallu" within moments realizing his mistake rolled down accepting defeat. B2's roar itself was enough to bring him to his knees. Humiliated by the trounce, he left Bandhavgarh all together and fled 70 kilometers away to the forest stretches of Shahdol.

B2 being chased off by Bamera

 Age drained the remaining strength, spirit disbanded B2 as he fell victim to the ultimate fate everyone destined for. The grim reaper stood on the hillock staring deep into his eyes. By June 2011, it was evident the king had days in counting. He lay lifelessly in a dried up stream, when he was spotted by the forest department.  Heavy gasp with chest heaving up and down, his life kept slipping away breath by breath. He was monitored till the onset of monsoon. As the first rains swept through Bandhavgarh, B2 became untraceable. Everyone feared B2 would not appear on the other side of Monsoon's horizon.

B2 did not survive the journey

At the season's start in October 2011, every eyes in look for the old Emperor. The first month's pursuit went in vain, no sighting. On 16th November he was briefly sighted by a safari gypsy, while he was crossing the road in the periphery of Tala zone. But his fate was already sealed, this sighting proved to be one of fleeting joy. Three days later, on 19th he was found laying in defunct condition in a small stream at Chorbrehra forest range, 80 kilometers from Bandhavgarh. A rescue team lead by Mr. Mridul Pathak rushed to the spot on receiving information. They administered him with life saving drugs, then tranquilized him and decided to transfer him to Bandhavgarh for treatment. B2 had already left his land for a different world now and may be returning back ever was not what he had intended to. He did not survive his last journey. B2 was now on the way to the happy hunting grounds... a place where his majesty will still prevail. Bandhavgarh fort longed for his king, paying tribute through silence that was immutable with it.

He was cremated with utmost respect, a deserving adieu to the king. His ashes flying high with the flames resonating his roar. Cheerios echoed in all of Bandhavgarh as B2, their beloved Tiger bade his farewell. People who admired and loved B2 still cherish in his memory. B2 - The Regal Tyger. 

With the departure of B2, an era came to an end I believe. During my journey of exploring this Tiger, I fell into an abyss of emotions where I was enlightened by the knowledge of Tiger's life. For days I kept picturing him, moving through the thickets and hillocks of Bandhavgarh. And when I wrote it felt somewhere that I was in his head now - seeing and acknowledging things as he would. I never got the privilege to see him in person. But in my inner consciousness he lives strong in flesh and bone... In growls and roars. B2 - My Regal Tyger.

DISCLAIMER: 

I DO NOT LAY CLAIM TO ANY OF THE PICTURES IN THIS ARTICLE, THEY RIGHTFULLY BELONG TO THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS. THEY HAVE BEEN COLLECTED FROM ONLINE PLATFORMS. IT IS ONLY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS PURPOSE. YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED. 

Sultan (T 72) - The Wandering Prince

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore has played host to some of the legendary tales of tigers in India. Time and time again this land has been in the news for it's majestic tigers and their extra ordinary stories. Generation after generation the legacy has continued. The anecdote I am about to share with you is of one such young tiger, hailing from one of the royal tiger lineage of Ranthambore. A prince who ventured away into unknown worlds, beyond familiar territories while doing so brought about new faces of tiger behavior  that we know as.

Let me introduce to you Sultan (T-72)... the wandering prince.

Birth of a Prince

T 24 - Ustad, the crowned king of Ranthambore rode high on his domain during his reign in the Sultanpur area. His queen T 39 - Noor always close by. He had been with Noor for just a few months and words were that may be Noor was carrying his heir marked by her absence in the tourist area late in 2011. Forest officials were in dilemma as of Noor's avoiding public appearance, as Noor was one those tigress who never shied away from her audience. In fact she would proudly and boldly roam free in her territory, human presence hardly making any difference. In the early months of  2012 some forest guards reported her of being sighted with a cub. But these distant reports could not confirm any thing. 

Sultan as a cub stalking around his mother, Noor

Ranthambore's summers are as hot as it gets in the north western part of Indian. The mercury in the thermometer can sometimes kiss 45 degrees. April and May gets the hottest and is an ideal time for tourist and tiger lovers. Tigers usually spend most of the day in and around water holes giving the visitors a higher chance of sighting them. It was on one such late May afternoon that Mr. Pankaj Jain, a nature guide had the pleasure to see the young prince of Ranthambore for the first time. As he observed a young tiger by Noor's side while she was resting on a bed of dead leaves. His tender frame suggested that he might be a couple of months old. But his actual date of birth is still unknown. 

One of those mother son moments

The little cub though still young was full of confidence. He was later named "Sultan" by Mrs. Bina Kak on the name of the area he inhabited i.e. Sultanpur. Even in his fragile age he was full of vigor. Curious and playful he would leap at every opportunity to explore. Being the only cub and no siblings to play around, he would hang out with his mother. Noor was quite tolerant to her cub's kid like naughty acts. 

Noor affectionately licking Sultan's face 

On occasions Mother-Son duo would be seen cuddling around middle of the dusty road, while on other occasions they would be seen splashing water in small water holes. Sultan would climb on top of his mother and bite her ears playfully, and to it  Noor would respond with only a low grunt. Noor was all aware that she was all that Sultan had. She played the role of a dedicated mother as well the role of co-aged sibling. The fact that made this family more unique was "Ustad". A general notion is that tiger fathers play very little role in the upbringing of the cubs, but Ustad stood out. He was seen spending a lot of time with his family, Sultan and Noor. In fact later he shared his territory with his male cub Sultan, which was unheard of in this land till date.

A curious Sultan looks on while Noor and Ustad relax in the water hole 

This cub had something in him that made him stand apart from other tigers. A juvenile Sultan would follow tourist vehicles, sometimes chase them. Behind those eyes of this tiger was a soul  that loved to explore... to wander. When he was just fifteen months old he was found stalking Nilgais, which were almost thrice his size. Shades of Ustad were quite evidently reflected in Sultan's behavior. His fame preceded him and very soon he became one of the most sort out tigers of Ranthambore. Almost two years old, he once chased away one of the "Sher bagh's" safari jeep very aggressively, leaving it's occupants scared to life. Sultan by 2014 was an adult. During this time period he had a few snappy quarrels with his father Ustad. This left him with a few bruises on the body and some on his ego. But he was never driven out by Ustad. Time passed by and the family lived happily.

Young Sultan overlooking his father's territory

Sultan co-occupied his father territory, which included ares of zone 1, zone 2 and zone 6 of Ranthambore National Park. He dominated different areas of the park which included Singh dwar, Kala peela pani, Kharia, Sultanput, Khemcha kund, Soleshwar, Chuli Deh and Amareshwar Dang.

The Prince Exiled

Life had been going good for the family but one single turn of event swiveled the life of the tiger family. Ustad's aggression, which had been his unmissable attribute got the good of him... On 8th of May, 2015 In a feat of anger, he attacked and killed a forest guard by the name of "Rampal Saini".  Saini's death brought about an uproar from the locals and villagers to capture Ustad or they threatened to kill him if no actions were taken by the authorities. Forest department officials were in great dilemma, but the necessity for an instant action was the requirement of the hour. And actions were taken. Ustad was captured and relocated to Sajjangarh Biological park on 16th May. 

The upcoming days proved difficult for both Noor and Sultan. Noor alone would have been unable to defend the territory and Sultan at just 3 years old was no match for the dominant full grown males that were likely to invade. To make the conditions worst Sultan had been staying away from his mother since January 2015 and occasionally visited his mother. Ustad's absence was the final nail into the turn of events. The balance of power was about to shift in Sultanpur area. 

Late in May 2015, Sultan left Ranthambore and went missing. 

Seeking Sultan

Forest officials launched a full fetched search operation for the missing Sultan. All the possible destinations and areas of the park were combed intensively. No sign of him. It was speculated that he might have been killed by any other male tiger. While some experts were of the opinion that he might have skirted out to the peripheral buffer zone of the park. Tigers of Ranthambore have on previous occasions proved that the can journey away to long distances. 

T7 had traversed a distance of 280 kms to the Mathura refinery

T62 to Talwar (76 kms) 

T56 till Datia (308 kms)

T35 to Sultanpura (133 kms)

T38 to Kuno (140 kms)

and Broken-tail had traveled across valleys and villages 165 kms to Mukunda hills, where he was run over by a train.

Was it possible that Sultan had dared such a journey!!!

Sighting of tiger flowed in from surround areas of the park. Some sightings reported by Mohigya people (Gatherer-hunter tribes), seemed to fit in the description of a young male tiger like Sultan. But no confirmations. Weeks passed by and hopes of finding him faded. The only relief that came was from the fact that reports of tigers resembling Sultan kept pouring in. 

Sultan with a Sambar kill

After long six months, one early morning in January 2106 one tiger was found to have mad a kill just a little away from Ghinoriya gaon, more than 100 kms from Ranthambore. Later that day it was confirmed to be Sultan. He was found rolling playfully near the kill as he had been doing as a cub. His tail swaggered gleefully in the air and his low grunts echoed through the tall green grass where he laid. Finally Sultan was found. He was alive and doing well.

But what happened during his missing days remained a mystery. And officials investigated his activities and movements during this time period. What they reveled was not short of any extraordinary tale.

Sultan's Occult Journey

Sultan had been thriving on his own since a few months and the relocation of his father made it difficult to hold on to the territory. For a few days Sultan initially strolled around the peripheral regions. As his instincts kicked in, he left away in search of a new territory. He migrated from Amareshwar area towards northern terrains, into ravines of Tadla khet. He was trading in dangerous waters here as this area is often termed as the Graveyard of tigers. The Gujjar communities thrive here. Their lives revolve around their most prized assets i.e. their goats. The loss of a single animals cost them their earning of few months. Thus, it's no wonder they treat predators as the biggest threat and don't hesitate to poison them if necessary. Many tigers in previous years have fallen victim to these tribes. 

Ravines of Tadla Khet that Sultan might have during his journey crossed 

Luckily for Sultan, he kept away from the Gujjars and lying low crossed the area strolling through the deep rocky ravines of Tadla khet. These ravines stretch across between the Banas river and Kaila devi plateau. 

He continued farther north crossing Amli village out skirts he reached the Nidar dam. He killed and fed on a cow close to Amli village. The villagers were a little upset yet again Sultan's stars were shinning bright and he escaped without any conflict.

Finally after a couple of months he stepped foot into Kaila devi. Being a protected area, it was a safe abode for him. With not much competition around Sultan made it his new home. A few days in and he was already hunting. Seemed like Sultan had left behind his glitz and glamour, and was enjoying a peaceful secluded life.

Sultan's admirers are happy now that he still lives...but will the prince come back to reclaim his father's kingdom remains to be seen. The chances seem very bleak as the territory of Sultanpur is dominated by bold young blood now.

Sultan, once a cub playing around his mother, dancing in the dust and stalking sambars around the lakes of Ranthambore. A tiger who lost is path in the journey of life... turn of time that changed him forever. This tale was not just a peep into the life of a naughty cub that turned into a self dependant and exploring wild hearted Tiger. Infact it's a mirror of every being who has soul that loves to wonder away into the unexplored...
In every such being lives a SULTAN - The wandering prince