Tiger Hunting in Colonial India: A History of Exploitation and Decimation
By Prashanth Krishna
Summary
Tigers have been revered in India since ancient times, appearing in Indus Valley seals, Bhimbetka rock paintings, and as deities like Durga and Ayyappa. Historically, forests were managed sustainably until the Mughal era, where large-scale hunting began, with Akbar and Jahangir killing thousands. The British colonial period saw systematic decimation, declaring tigers "vermin" and offering bounties. Hunting became a patriarchal sport, with officials using elephants for "howdah shikar" to assert dominance and "civilize" landscapes. Between 1875-1925, over 80,000 tigers were killed by British and Maharajas. Post-independence hunting by Maharajas and tourists further reduced numbers to 1,827 by 1972, prompting the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger. Despite conservation efforts, tigers face ongoing threats from habitat loss, poaching for traditional medicine, and historical exploitation rooted in colonial paternalism and revenue-driven land conversion.
Conclusion
The document highlights the devastating impact of colonial policies and hunting practices on India's tiger population, leading to a drastic decline from an estimated 1827 tigers in 1972 to near extinction. The British colonial administration systematically targeted tigers as "vermin," offering bounties and promoting large-scale hunting as a symbol of dominance and "civilizing" the landscape. This paternalistic approach, combined with the Mughal-era tradition of trophy hunting, resulted in over 80,000 tigers being killed between 1875 and 1925. The legacy of this exploitation persists in habitat loss, poaching, and the ongoing struggle for tiger conservation, underscoring the long-term ecological and cultural consequences of colonialism's violent relationship with wildlife.