Does any one know Tahawar Ali Khan??

[AamirR]

He was a big game hunter and had shot maneating tigers in the then East Pakistan during the 1960's, He had written a book about his exploits called The Maneaters of The Sunderbans, which I had the honour of reading.

I have googled his name and that of his book, but there is no trace of him or his book. He was a hero and a legend in his day.

I feel sad how our heros are lost in the the mists of time.

[TariqA]

AamirR,

Many years ago I read an Urdu book "Sundarbund kay adam khor". Could have been a translation (it may have even been a children's/young adults book). This was really a while back and I got it from Ferozsons in Lahore.

I agree about the need for keeping the memory of our heros alive. If you do find more information about him, please do consider putting it on a website. That maybe the easiest first step in that direction.

Regards.

[mastankhan]

AamirR,
Many a decades ago, almost four, I, a young kid was at the Lahore railway station maybe on platform # 3 with my father, waiting to catch a train for Khanewal. My father was checking out some books at the bookstall and there I saw this book titled " SHER SHER SHER". My dad bought me that book and what a thrill it was to read it. I believe it was about the same gentleman that you are inquiring about.

Ferozesons and Taj company would have been the two players that one might inquire from. I don't know if Taj company is still in business. Well, good luck with your search.

[Fahad L]

I have read the book 'Sunder ben kay Adam khor' .May be you can still find it in Urdu Bazaar of Karachi.

[SSAAD]

I suspect the above title may have had something to do with Jim Corbett (author of "Man-eaters of Kumayoun" and an excellent hunter, park ranger and writer).

[AamirR]

Thanks for your replies guys. I know that he lived in gulberg E block, Lahore.

I can recollect these titbits from memory.

He hunted in the sunderbans and shot several maneaters, for which the govt of East Pakistan had employed him or maybe he had voluntered.

Saad the book Maneaters of Kumaon is different form the Maneaters of the Sunderbans, as the former was written by the great Jim Corbett and the latter was penned by our hero -Tahawar Ali Khan. I have read both. Jim Corbett was not a park ranger, rather he worked for one of the private railway companies; he had voluntered to shoot tiger who turned to eating humans, this he had done for 30 odd years and the last man eater he shot was in 1938.

Fahad L, thanks for the info, but I live in Detroit USA.


But the thing that hurts me, is that, there is not a single mention of the gentlemans' name on the entire web.

I just wish I was in Lahore, so I could trace out his family and talk to them, and then maybe setup a webpage.

[SSAAD]

Thanks for your replies guys. I know that he lived in gulberg E block, Lahore.

I can recollect these titbits from memory.

He hunted in the sunderbans and shot several maneaters, for which the govt of East Pakistan had employed him or maybe he had voluntered.

Saad the book Maneaters of Kumaon is different form the Maneaters of the Sunderbans, as the former was written by the great Jim Corbett and the latter was penned by our hero -Tahawar Ali Khan. I have read both. Jim Corbett was not a park ranger, rather he worked for one of the private railway companies; he had voluntered to shoot tiger who turned to eating humans, this he had done for 30 odd years and the last man eater he shot was in 1938.

Fahad L, thanks for the info, but I live in Detroit USA.


But the thing that hurts me, is that, there is not a single mention of the gentlemans' name on the entire web.

I just wish I was in Lahore, so I could trace out his family and talk to them, and then maybe setup a webpage.

Ahh you just revived my memory about JC, thanks! I think he was in the British Army, retired and then worked for the railways in India...they named the JC national Park after him.

[mastankhan]

Hi,
I am sorry---the title that I mentioned earlier was about Corbett and not about Ali.

[Zishan]

Assalam-O-Alaikum,
I personally know the man. One of his sons Jamal Tahawar is my friend and have gone for hunting with them for hunting around Lahore. Contrary to your assumption Mr. Khan is in no way a forgotten person nor was he living a life of destitude or misery. He owns a large house on main boulevard in Lahore which is worth hundreds of millions. His funeral was attended by Nawaz Sharif who was also a close friend of Mr. Khan. So please do not start making assumptions and should do some research before you start writing about a particular topic.
Wassalam

[AamirR]

He was a big game hunter and had shot maneating tigers in the then East Pakistan during the 1960's, He had written a book about his exploits called The Maneaters of The Sunderbans, which I had the honour of reading.

I have googled his name and that of his book, but there is no trace of him or his book. He was a hero and a legend in his day.

I feel sad how our heros are lost in the the mists of time.

Zishan, friend you have not read the contents of my post.... i.e., there is not single page on the web about him meaning he is unknown out side Pakistan. But is fortunate that you know him and have actually hunted with him.

Could u kindly give me the address of his survivors.

[usmanjaved]

Salam,
Late Tahawar Ali Khan was my Grand father. . He was a great man and a great hunter too. I have his book Man eaters of Sunderbun. If any one is interested i can scan and upload few of his true shikari stories. Also i will upload his biography tomorow from the book Biographical Encyclopedia of Pakistan , he published.
Please also check this link.
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=3996

[SSAAD]

Usman Javed,

You must be really proud of your grandfather. May Allah grant him eternal peace (I assume he has passed away based on the way you wrote of him). I would love to read the episodes of shikar from his collection if you would be kind enough to post a few here.

On the topic of shikar, you have evoked some of my related memories by posting in this thread. Interestingly enough, my nana, Late Col. Yahya Abidi, was also an avid hunter and among big game had shot a man eating Tiger when he was posted as a Battalion Commander in the pre-partition India. (I still have that picture of him crouching behind the tiger with his rifle).

My apologies for taking some personal liberties here, but this being a military forum, I thought I'd share this with the readers as well that another interesting thing about my nana that I can recall was that he was from the first IMA Long Course which came to be known as "The pioneers". This course was unusual not just because it was the first ever passed out batch from the IMA, but during this course, my nana's course mates included Gen Musa Khan (CinC Pakistan Army), FM Sam Manekshaw (CinC Indian Army), Gen Smith Dunn (CinC Burmese Army), Lt Gen Habibullah, Maj Gen Umrao Khan and Brig Gulzar - Author of ""Pakistan Meets Indian Challenge" which has been reproduced at this site as well (http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/a...arindex.html)] of the Pakistan Army among others.

[usmanjaved]

Dear SSAAD.
Unfortunately I couldnot find Man eaters of Sunderban. I have 2 copies of the book, orignal one is still in my lahore home. Inshallah i will upload some stories as soon as i get hold of the book. Meanwhile i am Uploading his Bio from his book Biographical Encylopedia of Pakistan.
Mr Tahawar Ali khan had to his credit 10 man eating royal bengal tigers, 17 panthers, 3 Elephants and many other wild animals.
He started his carrer as a journalist, wrote several articleswhich were also published internationally. He wrote "Man eaters of Sunderban" Distress signal from Sunderban, Rogue Elephants of Chittagong hill tracks.He was also author of Pakistan Trade directory 1952 and 53 as well as Biographical Encyclopedia of Pakistan.
He also delievered lectures in many prominent universties including Yale University.

SSAAD the link you posted is not working.

[SSAAD]

Try this link:

http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/a.../warindex.html

[alamkhan]

Hello, I am Alam Tahawar Ali Khan, son of the late legend Tahawar Ali Khan. Following the foot steps of my late father, i am also a renowed shooter of Pakistan. I have been a National Champion in Skeet and Trap Shooting events on three ocasions. I have also represented Pakistan three times in different events, in Pakistan and abroad. My father Tahawar Ali Khan was also an auther of world famous "Maneaters of Sunderband". He himself killed maneaters furious tigers. I, being his son have also strived hard to keep his name alive so new generation should also get to know about the achievements of my late father. I can be reached at 0300 843 7095 / 575 2015. My address is 129-E/1, Gulberg III, Main Boulevard Road, Lahore. Email: atz_adv@hotmail.com