The Battle of Icons

In colonial discourse, the tiger came to symbolize ferality, while the lion represented order and nobility. From the perspective of Indian nationalist movements, the tiger took on a new meaning in this context. It became a potent symbol of resistance. The tension between the British lion and the Indian tiger played out in the cultural and political iconography of the time.

One of the earliest examples of this symbolism can be found in a cartoon from the 1857 Indian Rebellion. The cartoon, The British Lion’s Vengeance on the Bengal Tiger, was created by journalist Shirley Brooks and artist John Tenniel, a representation of the British’s revenge for Indian mutineers killing innocent European women and children. It depicted the British lion, representing imperial power, attacking and defeating the Bengal tiger, symbolizing the Indian rebels.

Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore from 1782 to 1799, is perhaps the most famous historical figure associated with the tiger as a symbol of Indian resistance. Tipu ascended a “tiger throne” rather than the “lion throne.” His weapons and military insignia were adorned with tiger motifs, and he commissioned the creation of a famous automaton known as “Tipu’s Tiger,” which depicted a tiger mauling a British soldier. After his defeat in 1799, the British minted medals showing a lion trampling a tiger, reinforcing the colonial narrative of British dominance over the subcontinent. Historian Kate Brittlebank suggests that Tipu’s choice of the tiger as his symbol may have been an effort to unify the diverse groups under his rule, many of whom revered the animal.

In the early 20th century, one of the most prominent instances of this symbolism was the adoption of the springing tiger emblem by the Indian National Army (INA), led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The national leader understood the power of national symbols in mobilizing the masses. The springing tiger symbolized defiance and evoked a sense of pride in India’s heritage. The tiger, widely distributed across the subcontinent, acted as a unifying force, bridging regional and cultural differences to foster a shared identity.

In European art, the tiger continued to be portrayed as a symbol of the East. Neoclassical artworks often featured tigers as symbols of human conquest over nature and, by extension, over the colonized. One such example is the work of John William Godward, whose paintings of women lounging on tiger skins reinforced the image of British superiority over the exotic. Even in British literature, tigers were often cast as antagonists. In Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Sher Khan represents a dangerous, savage force that Mowgli, the human protagonist, must overcome. After killing Sher Khan, Mowgli immediately skins the tiger and wears its pelt—a symbolic act of dominion.

The conflict between these two symbols—one representing the colonizer, the other the colonized—also highlighted issues of racism and resource exploitation. The British viewed India and its people like its wildlife: a land of resources that needed to be controlled and exploited for the empire’s benefit. Tigers, much like the natives, were seen as obstacles to British ambitions.

The Aftermath

The colonial era proved disastrous for India’s tigers. Between 1875 and 1925, it is estimated that nearly 80,000 tigers were killed, mainly due to trophy hunting, habitat destruction, and the British policy of extermination. As forests were cleared for infrastructure, tigers lost their habitats and became increasingly conflicted with human populations. By the time India gained independence in 1947, the tiger population was severely depleted.

The perception of tigers in India also shifted during this time. Once revered as sacred animals by various communities, tigers came to be viewed as bloodthirsty creatures, a dangerous legacy left by colonial narratives.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that serious conservation efforts were initiated. In 1972, the tiger was officially declared the national animal of India, a title that the lion had previously held. This reassignment of national symbols was an effort to distance the newly independent nation from its colonial past. The tiger, whose range extended across much of the subcontinent, was seen as a better representation of the diversity of India than the lion, which was primarily confined to the Gir Forest in Gujarat.

In 1973, the Indian government launched Project Tiger, a conservation initiative to protect the country’s remaining tiger population. Project Tiger established a network of tiger reserves across India, providing safe animal habitats and curbing poaching and habitat destruction. These conservation efforts quickly gained widespread support, transcending divides. Over the years, the tiger has come to symbolize much more than just an apex predator. Its association with Indian nationalism is now deeply ingrained in the country’s cultural identity. As a symbol of pride, the tiger unites people across India’s vast spectrum of identities. It evokes a shared sense of belonging and responsibility, reminding the nation of its rich heritage and the collective effort needed to protect its natural resources.

Today, the tiger’s continued survival is a testament to the resilience of the species and the country it represents. The tiger’s comeback story is not just one of conservation—it is a story of national identity, a bridge between the past and the present, and a symbol of hope for the future. #

C R Ramana Kailash is a young wildlife enthusiast, TEDx speaker, and author. His book “Fire of Sumatra” highlights Sumatran tiger conservation. Ramana volunteers with conservation groups like ATREE and KNF. He delivers talks on wildlife and climate change among school and college children. Follow him on www.ramanakailash.com and his Instagram @ramana_kailash