The Jungle Book · Character
Shere Khan
A lame Bengal tiger who burned his feet at a woodcutter's fire and now demands the man-cub as his rightful kill, shouting threats he cannot always back.
supporting
Also known as Khan
First appearance: Mowgli's Brothers
As a supporting figure in The Jungle Book, Shere Khan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The lame tiger who demands Mowgli be handed over; plots against Mowgli by befriending the younger wolves.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Shere Khan is the jungle's loudest grievance, a cattle-killer whose limp and burned paws make him a bully rather than a hunter. He claims Mowgli by right of the kill he never made, and his roar at the cave mouth is…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Shere Khan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Shere Khan in Mowgli's BrothersCharacter Web
14 connectionsA slice of how Shere Khan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Mowgli's mentors and allies
- Mowgli's wolf pack associates
+9 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Closing
In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Kala Nag, after a lifetime of obedient servi…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Mowgli
rivalry · negative
Mowgli and Shere Khan are mortal enemies, with the tiger relentlessly hunting the man-cub… How this plays out →
- Mother Wolf
rivalry · negative
- Akela
rivalry · negative
- Mowgli
rivalry · negative
Mowgli and Shere Khan are mortal enemies, with the tiger relentlessly hunting the man-cub… How this plays out →
- Mother Wolf
rivalry · negative
- Akela
rivalry · negative
- Mother Wolf
rivalry · negative
- Mowgli
rivalry · negative
Mowgli and Shere Khan are mortal enemies, with the tiger relentlessly hunting the man-cub… How this plays out →
- Akela
rivalry · negative
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Shere Khan in Mowgli's BrothersIn the story
Shere Khan appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Shere Khan unlock in the free preview.
See Shere Khan in Mowgli's Brothers