Arrowhead — officially T-84 — was one of the most beloved tigresses in Ranthambore's modern history and, until her death in June 2025, the reigning queen of the park's prized lake zones. A direct descendant of the legendary Machhli, she carried her great-grandmother's lakeside bloodline, her boldness in front of safari vehicles, and even her rarest talent — the ability to kill a crocodile.
Lineage — The Machhli Dynasty
Arrowhead was born in 2014 to the tigress Krishna (T-19), herself a daughter of Machhli, making Arrowhead the granddaughter of the most famous wild tiger who ever lived. She was believed to have been sired by the dominant male T-28, known as Star Male. From her mother and grandmother she inherited the most coveted territory in the park — the lakeside heart of Zones 3 and 4 around Padam Talao and Rajbagh, the richest prey grounds in Ranthambore.
Queen of the Lakes
Arrowhead earned her name from a distinctive arrow-shaped marking on the left side of her face. Like the great tigresses before her, she was strikingly comfortable around safari vehicles, allowing photographers and naturalists to document her hunts, her territorial patrols, and the raising of successive litters at exceptionally close range. She became the defining tigress of the lake zones through the late 2010s and early 2020s, and one of the most photographed tigers in India during her prime.
The Crocodile Hunter
Arrowhead holds a place in a tiny, elite club: she is one of only three tigers in Ranthambore's recorded history — alongside Machhli and her own daughter Riddhi — known to have taken down an adult marsh crocodile, a feat that requires immense power and nerve. That this rare behaviour runs through three generations of a single female line is one of the most remarkable stories in Indian tiger conservation.
Mother of a New Generation
Arrowhead's greatest legacy is her cubs. Across four litters she raised around ten cubs, and her daughters have gone on to dominate the park. Chief among them is Riddhi (T-124), the current queen of the lake zones, along with Siddhi (T-125) and the younger Kankati. In a poignant turn, Riddhi ultimately took the lake territory from her own mother after a series of confrontations — the natural, unsentimental way of tiger succession.
Arrowhead's grandcubs continue the line today: through Riddhi, she is the grandmother of the charismatic young male Shubh (T-2505), who now roams the same shores his great-great-great-grandmother Machhli once ruled.
Final Days and Legacy
In her last months, Arrowhead was seen visibly ailing, having battled illness widely reported as a tumour. She died on 19 June 2025 at the age of 11, and her passing was mourned across India's wildlife community as the end of an era for the lake dynasty. [VERIFY the precise medical cause before publishing — contemporary reports varied between a brain tumour and bone cancer.]
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Arrowhead the tigress die?
Arrowhead (T-84) died on 19 June 2025 at the age of 11, after battling a tumour. She had been the dominant tigress of Ranthambore's lake zones for years.
Who were Arrowhead's parents?
She was born in 2014 to Krishna (T-19) and was the granddaughter of the legendary Machhli (T-16), placing her at the heart of Ranthambore's most famous female bloodline.
Which tigers can kill crocodiles in Ranthambore?
Only three tigers are recorded as having killed adult marsh crocodiles in the park — Machhli, Arrowhead, and Arrowhead's daughter Riddhi — all from the same maternal line.
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