2025-08-08 Fri

A Tiger (Panthera tigris) is recognized as the largest member of the Cat family and is indigenous to Asia. Historically, eight subspecies of Tigers existed, of which three have since become extinct.

The relationship between tigers and wildlife is deeply rooted in Indian history, culture, and religions. The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) serves as the national animal of India and represents a significant aspect of the country’s natural Heritage. India is home to the world's largest population of tigers, with an estimated count of 3,682 individuals reported in 2022. These majestic animals inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including the foothills of the Himalayas, the scrub forests of Central India, and the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans.

Fossil records of tigers in India are limited. According to Palaeontologist Dr. Vijay Sathe (2015), tiger fossils are recovered only from Manjra valley (Maharashtra) and Hunsgi Baichbal valley (Karnataka). According to Kitchener and Dugmore in their study, "Biogeographical Change in the Tiger, Panthera tigris" (2006), tigers are believed to have arrived in India approximately 12,000 years ago from the eastern region of Asia.

The earliest archaeological evidence of tigers in India is found in cave paintings located in the Bhimbetka rock shelters of Madhya Pradesh, dating back between 100,000 and 30,000 years. The Harappan Civilization also illustrates the significance of tigers through depictions on seals. Notably, the Pashupati seal from Mohenjo-daro features imagery of various animals, including a tiger, while another seal presents a figure combining the hindquarters of a tiger with the upper body of a woman.

Furthermore, references to the occult symbolism associated with tigers are found in ancient texts such as the Atharva Veda, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and various Buddhist narratives. The Arthashastra mentions a dedicated area known as "vyaala" (tiger) vana, designated for tigers and wildlife and protected by royal command.

The decline in the tiger population in India became notable during the Mughal era due to excessive hunting. This decline was exacerbated under British colonial #Rule, with over 80,000 tigers reported to have been killed between 1875 and 1925. The practice of tiger hunting became a standard recreation for British officials, with each viceroy striving to achieve a specific tally of kills. Following his coronation in 1911, King George V and his entourage notably killed 39 tigers in just ten days in Nepal. Interestingly, in 1935, tiger and a palm became the logo of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The first comprehensive all-India tiger census, conducted in 1972, revealed that only 1,827 tigers remained. In response to this alarming decline, projecttiger was initiated by the government of India in 1973 to safeguard this endangered species.

Since 1963, India Post has taken the initiative to issue various commemorative stamps featuring tigers, further highlighting their significance in Indian culture and #Conservation efforts. In 2023, the government of India issued a proof coin of Rs 50 on the occasion of 50 Years of Project Tiger.