Chhota Matka: The Scarred King Who Ruled Tadoba

Every dynasty in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) tells a tale of ambition and conflict, but few are as fierce and compelling as the story of Chhota Matka (T-126). Born in the 2016 monsoon season to the legendary Matkasur and the iconic Choti Tara, Chhota Matka was destined for a throne that would be won, not given.

A Fateful Wound and Fraternal Bond

The young tiger, a son of the Moharli and Jamni bloodlines, was raised alongside his brother, Tara Chand. Their lives changed dramatically in October 2017 when Chhota Matka sustained a severe injury to his right flank while hunting.

While the forest department attempted to intervene, Tara Chand fiercely blocked any approach to his wounded brother. This selfless act forged an unusually strong, non-confrontational bond they never even engaged in the vital play-fights that hone a young tiger’s battle skills. This lack of practice would become his greatest weakness later, leading to frequent injuries to his paws. The bond was tragically broken when Tara Chand was electrocuted in December 2018, leaving Chhota Matka to face the wilderness alone.

The Scarred Ascent to the Throne

After his father, Matkasur, was finally overthrown, a brutal power vacuum emerged. Chhota Matka, a handsome male with "sparkling blue eyes" and a captivating jawline, was thrust into a relentless war for territory. His primary adversary was the massive tiger Mowgli.

During the 2021 monsoon season, Mowgli severely mauled Chhota Matka, leaving him permanently deformed. Any lesser tiger would have submitted, but Chhota Matka, fueled by his mother's patience and his father's strength, refused to quit. He quickly recovered by hunting cattle on the outskirts, a tactic learned from his father.

In a furious series of retaliatory strikes, Chhota Matka wounded and banished Mowgli in April 2022, seizing all his territory. To consolidate his power, he carried out the grim necessity of jungle law: he killed Mowgli’s cubs with Jharni, then immediately sired his own with her. He further promoted his bloodline by mating with two other females, Babli and Bhanushkindi.

Chhota Matka became the undisputed monarch of Tadoba, ruling the largest region of any of his predecessors or contemporaries, and upholding his reign by killing at least two strong male rivals.

The End of a Kingdom

The law of the jungle is unforgiving. On May 12-13, Chhota Matka won a final territorial battle, reportedly killing his nemesis. However, he was left with deep, grave wounds.

As his health deteriorated and his presence near the Tadoba boundary became an issue (due to livestock killings), forest officials intervened. On August 27th, the great tiger was tranquillized, rescued, and moved for specialized treatment, officially ending his reign and leaving his vast kingdom open. Already, contenders like Bali and Virbhadra have moved in, poised to fight for the vacant throne.

Chhota Matka's story is a reminder that even the supreme ruler is subject to nature’s relentless cycle. His scars are a testament to the fact that power in the wild is maintained only through constant, unyielding struggle.

Did you know that Matkasur and Choti Tara are still among the most-talked-about tigers in Tadoba history? Which of the new contenders Bali or Virbhadra do you think will rise to power?