Context :
India’s first white tiger breeding center will be established in Govindgarh, Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh
🐅 Mohan: The White Tiger That Started It All
Though white tigers have been documented in India since the 16th century, the tale of Mohan is what truly captured global attention.
In 1951, Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured a dazzling white tiger from the forests of Sidhi, now part of Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve.
Named Mohan, this magnificent animal became the founder of the global white tiger population seen in zoos around the world today.
🏰 From Jungle Royalty to Palace Resident
Spotted in the Bargadi forest, Mohan’s unique white coat and blue eyes stunned the Maharaja, who brought him to Govindgarh Fort. Here, Mohan wasn’t kept as an ordinary captive — he was treated like royalty, earning the affectionate name ‘Mohan Singh’ among the palace staff.
🥛 A Fasting Prince Who Played Football
Mohan developed unique traits that made him even more endearing:
- He fasted every Sunday, refusing to eat anything but milk, regardless of coaxing.
- He loved playing football, adding charm to his presence in the royal courtyard.
He became not just a royal pet, but a symbol of pride and tradition for the Baghel dynasty.
🐯 A Global Lineage Begins:
Mohan was mated with several tigresses, including one named Radha. On October 30, 1958, Radha gave birth to four white cubs—Raja, Rani, Mohini, and Sakeshi—the first naturally born white tigers in the world.
In total, Mohan fathered 34 cubs, of which 21 were white. These descendants were later spread across zoos in India and worldwide, cementing his global genetic legacy.
🕯️ Farewell to a Legend and the Revival Effort
Mohan died on December 19, 1969, at the age of 19, and was honored with a state funeral. A mausoleum was erected at Govindgarh Fort in his memory.
With the death of his last white descendant in Rewa—Virat in 1976—white tigers vanished from the region.
But the spirit of Mohan was revived in 2016, when Minister Rajendra Shukla launched efforts to bring back the white tiger. The Maharaja Martand Singh Zoo Dev White Tiger Safari was inaugurated at Mukundpur, Rewa. Soon after, a white tigress named Vindhya arrived—restoring the legacy to its birthplace.
📜 White Tigers Before Mohan:
While Mohan holds global fame, India’s association with white tigers goes further back. The Akbarnama, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s court chronicle, describes his hunt of two white tigers in 1561.
Still, Mohan’s legacy stands apart—not just as a rare genetic marvel but as a living embodiment of Rewa’s royal wildlife heritage and India’s enduring connection to its natural wonders.
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