Machali Tigress of Ranthambore

She is the most famous tiger in the world, widely recognized as the "Queen of Ranthambore." Known as Machali Tigress of Ranthambore, her bravado, strength, and mothering instincts are legendary. Machali's fierce battle with a crocodile and her ability to thrive against all odds for nearly two decades in her habitat are well-documented and celebrated.

Machali's fight with a crocodile, fighting all odds to succeed nearly two decades in her habitat, is well-documented and celebrated.

Once the elegance and pride of Ranthambore, Machli (T-16), alias "Lady of the Lake," was the royal tigress that lived its last on 18 August 2016. Marked as the most photographed tigress in the world, Machli was a beautiful and powerful entity with a great hold over her territory, including the Ranthambhore's palace, lakes, and forts of Ranthambore.

With domes and chattris as shelter and lakes under her control, one can easily conclude Machli's dominance over Ranthambore. This 350-square-mile area of Machli's territory was the park's largest and most beautiful.

Quick View:

Tiger Code "T-16"Age"-

First Seen"1996"Zone" Zone-2,3,4,5

Gender Female Status Dead  

Identification Sign" Fish Mark On Her Face

What was Unique About the Machali T-16?

Among the 62 tigers of Ranthambore, her comfort level with humans and the way she held Lensmen and women in awe of her grace marked Machli out. Brilliant, too, was she who took up the advantage of the vehicles of tourists to stalk and hunt. Her genes have spread far and wide across the Ranthambore National Park. Two female cubs were transferred to Sariska Tiger Reserve to repopulate it with big cats. Awards like lifetime awards have lifted her name to a greater extent.

Machli means fish - isn't that a strange name for a tigress? She was named machli because of the fish-shaped mark on the left ear of her face. Also, she takes pride in the name of her mother.

Machli had been a dominant cub since she was born in the monsoon months of 1997. At age two, this ferocious tigress went out hunting on her own, showing signs of splitting off from her mother.

Soon after, Machli received a portion of her mother's territory, where she spent most of her tenure. A couple of years later, she gave birth to three cubs—one female (Sundari-T-17) and two males, Broken Tail and Slant Ear. She had reproduced with the huge male tiger known as "Bamboo Ram."

Both the cubs left her by the end of December 2001. She mated with a male tiger named "Nick Ear." Machali's mate, Bamboo Ram, had died of old age while Broken Tail and Slant Ear were still with her, and Nick Ear had taken over Bamboo Ram's territory.

By April 2002, Machali had her second litter, two cubs named Jhumru (male) and Jhumri (female). By the end of 2004, Machali coupled with another male tiger known as X-male, and around March 2005, she again gave birth to two beautiful cubs, namely, Sharmeele (which means shy in Hindi) and Bahadur (Brave).

Machali: Powerful, dominating & ferocious

She was always dominant and a powerful personality, sometimes overpowering even the male tigers. She was also very protective of her kids.

Her ferocity was born with her, and one can see that from the series of documented incidents about her. One of these tales was her fight with the 14-foot-long crocodile, which created history. The spectators have described it as a historic encounter.

Machli was also the most photographed tigress of all time. Over the years, documentaries, short films, journals, books, and many research papers on wildlife have been prepared with Machli as the subject. Many such books focusing on Machli and the Ranthambore National Park have been awarded the TOFT Lifetime Achievement Award for furthering conservation and the overall Rajasthan economy.

Death of Machali (the Queen of Ranthambore National Park)

However, Machli began to decline five years ago due to her age, and she gradually lost territory. Her teeth fell by the time of her death. Machali was cremated according to the NTCA Protocols of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The legend of Machali would live on. 

Some Interesting facts about Tigress Machali

Tigress Queen of Ranthambore', 'Lady of the Lakes' and 'Crocodile Killer': are some of the titles she received during her lifetime.

Between 1998 and 2009, Machli's exceptional popularity helped the Indian government gain nearly US$100 million.

She won the "Lifetime Achievement Award" because of her contribution to conservation and tourist attraction.

Indian Government issued a commemorative postal cover and stamp to honor Machli for its ecological and economic contribution.

She died at age 20, making her the oldest surviving wild tigress in the world. This is higher than the average lifespan for those spotted in the wild, between 10 and 15 years.

At the 66th National Film Awards, a film on Machali, "The World's Most Famous Tiger," won the National Award.