In Memory Of Bangladesh’s Greatest Tiger Hunter: Pachabdi Gazi (1924 - 1997)

[Panther Shooter]

Thank you for sharing the exploits of a courageous young man. Looking forward to learning more about him and his life!

Jeff
Indeed , he was a gentleman of unrivaled courage . I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading the rest of his biography, as well.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Ridge Walker
I do hope that you shall find it to be enjoyable.

I did indeed sir!

 

[Panther Shooter]

You truly are doing Gazi Bhai justice ... by writing his life story so eloquently .He would be extremely proud of you ... if he were alive, today . I would like to add 2 small pieces of information on the side , Panther Shooter :
> Pachabdi Gazi's Remington Model 1889 was equipped with extractors instead of ejectors .
> The 16 pellet Remington buck shot cartridges used by Gazi Bhai were referred to , as " 0 Buck " cartridges in American terminology . Our SSG pellets are actually the equivalent of American
" # 1 Buck " . " 0 Buck " has no equivalent in the English shot measurement system which we use in Bangladesh .
View attachment 341665
I know . Some times .... I find it just as confusing as you do .

Major , Sir
Thank you so much for aiding me with understanding the correct American terminology. Henceforth , I have used the word “ 0 Buck “ to describe the buckshot cartridges used by Pachabdi. It can get confusing at times , indeed for all of us , Bangladeshis . Because , we are used to the old Colonial era British letter shot size measurements.

 

[Panther Shooter]

What a way to grow up. Great story so far. Thanks
Bruce

Bruce
The Sundarban mangrove forests was Pachabdi’s entire world . I am honored that you are enjoying his biography.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Very well written and I’m enjoying the story so far.

375 Fox
Thank you. I am deeply honored for your appreciation.

 

[Panther Shooter]

I’m exhausted just reading your story and thinking about shooting a 500 lb cat at 5 paces with #3 buckshot! One brave tough kid!

Ridge Walker
I am very embarrassed. The Remington buckshot cartridges employed by Pachabdi Gazi were actually 0 buck cartridges ( holding 16 pellets in each cartridge) . I was mistakenly referring to them , as “ SSG “ cartridges because in Bangladesh , we still employ the old colonial British measurements for letter shot . 0 buck pellets are larger in diameter than SSG pellets.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Anxiously awaiting the next episode.

New Boomer
I am optimistic that you shall enjoy the rest of it.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Panther Shooter, I am enjoying the thread immensely. Hunting man-eating tigers in this method is certainly not for the "faint of heart."

Shootist43
I am honored . Pachabdi was a gentleman who knew no fear , whatsoever.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Thank you for sharing!

Cpr0312
I am honored that you are enjoying it.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Great Story.
Great Writing.
Like the others (from you and from your two great friends).

Best wishes.

F.

Bull Hunter
I am optimistic that you shall enjoy reading the rest of this biography.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Well written sir. What a life he lived.... Many of us wish we had that opportunity. He must of had nerves of steel. Great tribute to your friend. I'm sure he would of approved....
Bruce

Bruce
I envy old Pachabdi, enormously . This was a gentleman who knew no fear , whatsoever.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Thank you Panther Shooter for this beautiful story and a great tribute to a fellow shikari. He's probably hunting a tiger in the eternal hunting grounds right now, may he rest in peace.

Die Jager
This is indeed very true . In our religion , we have one saying . “ Among the deceased , He who has his life gently taken from him without incurring any pain , is among those who are loved most by God . “

 

[Panther Shooter]

Nicely written tribute to your friend...

Spike T
I am greatly honored that you have enjoyed it so much.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Thanks for the story, Panther Shooter. Your friend was an amazing man. Reading about him was, in many ways, like reading about Jim Corbett. Thanks for pictures @mark-hunter it really puts into perspective how hard these critters must have been to hunt.

Wyatt Smith
It makes me quite happy to know that you enjoyed reading about my dear old friend, just as much as I enjoyed writing about him . In regards to the Sundarban mangrove forests , this is where Major Poton Khan and Sgt. Kawshik Rahman routinely hunt Chital Deer . Sometimes , the Major even wades halfway into the water to go after Chital Deer with his old shotgun, even at the age of 80 ! So far , he has never come back home , empty handed during Chital Deer season .

 

[Panther Shooter]

Thank you for an eloquently written story. It was both happy and sad at the same time. I enjoyed learning about past hunters and their methods.

K Man
You and I have quite similar thought processes . While I was writing this biography, I was feeling a mixture of joy and forlorn sadness as well . On one side , I deeply enjoyed reliving my memories with my old friend , once again . On the other side , I feel terrible remembering that old Pachabdi is no more amongst us.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Wonderful story. What a perfect life he led doing what he loved.

New Boomer
This is a 100 percent raw truth . Pachabdi Gazi lived his entire life and passed away , doing exactly what he loved doing the most in this entire world. He was a true man , among men .

 

[Panther Shooter]

It takes nerves of steel to hunt tigers in this fashion..in dense mangrove sump with inferior weapons (at least by today´s standard..)..

I take my hat off to this man..

Pondoro
If old Pachabdi were still alive today , then he would have been extremely happy to hear how appreciative you are of his services to our country.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Fantastic story, and life. Thank you sir, for sharing this!
I went to search for information of Sundarban forest on internet, it looks as a true primal unspoiled jungle... amazing place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarbans

from wikipedia
Several predators dwell in the labyrinth of channels, branches and roots that poke up into the air. This is the only mangrove ecoregion that harbours the Indo-Pacific region's largest terrestrial predator, the Bengal tiger. Unlike in other habitats, tigers live here and swim among the mangrove islands, where they hunt scarce prey such as the chital deer (Axis axis), Indian muntjacs (Muntiacus muntjak), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). It is estimated that there are now 180 Bengal tigers[30] and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. The tigers regularly attack and kill humans who venture into the forest, human deaths ranging from 30–100 per year.[40]

Mark Hunter
You have a most inquisitive mind and a healthy thirst for knowledge .
Yes. That is the Sundarban mangrove forests ; The pride of Bangladesh. This is where Major Poton Khan hunts Chital Deer quite a few times throughout the year . I have even seen the Major wade waist deep into the water by clutching his old shotgun , in order to pursue Chital Deer. That too , at 80 years of age !
I personally prefer the much safer terrain of Nijhoom Deap for my seasonal Chital Deer hunting .

 

[Panther Shooter]

Friend Panther Shooter
Is the book available in English I would very much enjoy reading it.
Your friend lived a very exciting and full life. You are truly blessed by having known him.
You did great justice giving a brief insight into this humble man's life.
Did he have a wife or any children to share his wonderful life with. I agree I would rather face what is in the forest I know than any of the crap that we are forced to put up with in so called civilization. Civilization is not so civil any more.
Keep safe and well and keep writing my friend
Bob Nelson

Bob
Major Poton Khan is actually working on making an English translation of Pachabdi’s book . The entire book is 228 pages . However , I expect the Major to have it completely translated by the end of May. The last time I spoke to Major Poton Khan , he intended to upload the English translation of “ The Man Eaters Of The Sundarbans “ on AH Forums , so that all of our forum members could read the book for free . I am deeply honored and immensely grateful to you for enjoying this biography of my dear old friend , so much .

 

[Panther Shooter]

Excellent biographical report of a fascinating Shikar!
The recoil of that 10 gage double must have been brutal! I got a headache every time I fired a 3 1/2” in mine. Gave up and sold it.

Ridge Walker
I am honored to know that I have done justice to Old Pachabdi Gazi.
On a related subject, his 10 Bore Remington Model 1889 exposed hammer double barrel shotgun used to possess 2 7/8 inch chambers , and not the modern 3 1/2 inch chambers . The 2 7/8 inch 10 Bore cartridges actually have a relatively mild recoil , compared to the 3 1/2 inch 10 Bore beasts which have sadly come to represent the 10 Bore caliber these days.