In the foreword to the book, The Tiger of Rajasthan, by Colonel Kesri Singh, it is written, "Kesri's parents perhaps forestalled his talents and aptitude and named him Kesri (Tiger)."
Now this foreword is written by no less a personality than Sawai Man Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur, under whom Kesri Singh was employed in his long career as a wildlife expert and conservator of forests. It is astonishing that the Maharaja should write that Kesri is the Rajasthani/Hindi name for tiger....it is actually the name for lion!
While the other Sanskrit-derived name for the lion is singh, the name "kesri/kesari" is also derived from the Sanskrit kesarvar, which is the word for saffron. Its modern form is kesar, and it is used in traditional ceremonies, cooking, and the textile industry. The principal qualities of saffron are its scent and color; the latter is close to a brownish-orange.
Since the color of the lion's mane is also brownish-orange, the word kesari is used in Rajasthan and other parts of India, for the lion. Apart form the color, the lion's mane also resembles the threads of the saffron stigmas. Kesariya, or saffron-coloured clothing, was worn by Rajput warriors on two occasions. Once on the day of their wedding, and then on the battlefield; the kesariya bana (saffron-robed) would ride straight into the enemy ranks only when all hope of victory was lost. The Rajputs would embrace death in a do-or-die cavalry charge rather than be taken prisoner.
Apart from bagh, which is derived from the Sanskrit vyaghra, a common Rajasthani name for the tiger is "nahar". This word is pronounced naahaar, and should not be confused with the other word sometimes mistakenly written as nahar (pronounced neher), which is the word for rivers and streams.
The origins of nahar as a word for the tiger are not known; possibly it could be related to the deep growls and moans this predator makes. However both Kesari and Nahar have been used as first names by Rajput warriors in Rajasthan.
