The Legends of Bandhavgarh

Charger

There were many tigers in the farflung forests of Madhya Pradesh. But no one was as ferocious as charger, as majestic as charger. He was a complete package of ‘SAVAGE’.

His story of dominant male of bandhavgarh began when BANKA was in reign. Then Banka was mate with Sita. One day, Banka sensed  a presence of another male in his territory. He saw approaching him with a intense dare. Banka also in reciprocation blitz on Charger. And to everyone’s surprise Banka was misspent  on ground by Charger. The clash of the contenders jolted the jungle.

Next day Banka was seen heavily ding by Charger and then he surrendered his territory.  It was 1991  when he actually came into power, for coming decade he dominated Bandhavgarh and adjoining territories like chakradhara.

Charger was known for his short temper, aggressive conduct. Coincidently he got his name while portraying this behavior. Once there was this herd  of elephants with tourist, they were on regular safari. Unknowingly  one of the elephant crossed the comfort distance of Charger. Charger didn’t like this dare and he suddenly he charged upon the elephant. Fortunately no was injured in the incidence and from that point of time he get his name as CHARGER.

There are many such stories of charger. The reason behind this is that like any other animal he also didn’t like being disturbed at his home , the jungle. Even the slightest noise of gypsy or tourist annoyed him. In one of such incidence told by guide , Charger was being followed by group of tourists jeep, as there were many of them, sound made by them broke his patience. He suddenly turned back and started approaching towards the gypsy with fierce and stood upon bonnet with two feats on ground and roared upon them.

As known by everyone, Sita and Charger were famous as a couple. They together had six litters. And almost all the tigers of bandhavgarh and surrounding territories are descendants of Sita and Charger, Bara Bachha, Langru, Mohini, etc. He stayed with Sita till her last breath. It was 1996, she had turned 15 and then she disappeared. This was a terrible loss for Charger as his soul mate was no more.  

In couple of years Charger also reached autumn of his life. Charger reached his 15 and he faced his first intruder in his territories from decades it was B1, son of Mohini. Charger was not in a mood to surrender and decided to combat. It was not a good decision, Charger was ding. He took shelter in grasses, with his old age he was also now prone to infection. After few days he lost light of his eyes, which made him more feeble. Because of all this he couldn’t even hunt. Once kind Mohini helped him, she squirt her spray to show him path towards the water. Nose was his only sense left intact.

In days to come he wandered scavenging , king was now feeding on left over. He then entered in one of his cave and was counting his last moments. Forest officials saw him in that condition and tranquilized him to heal. He was then shifted to a cage near Maghdi Gate.

And in 29^th September 2000 Charger took his last breadth. As was then disposed in that location and that location was then name as “charger point”.