Bagheera Bagheera Bagheera (; "Baghīrā"/"Bagīdah") is a fictional character in Rudyard Kipling's Mowgli stories in the "Jungle Book" (coll. 1894) and the "Second Jungle Book" (coll. 1895). He is a black panther (melanistic Indian leopard) who serves as friend, protector and mentor to the "man-cub" Mowgli. The word "bagheera" is Hindi/Urdu for black panther-- although the root word bagh means tiger. Born in captivity in the menagerie of the Raja of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, Bagheera begins to plan for his freedom after his mother dies. Once he is mature and strong enough, he breaks the lock on his cage and escapes
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story hand over Mowgli. Raksha and Akela refuse, saying that Mowgli is their son. Bagheera and Baloo arrive and swear to protect Mowgli from Shere Khan. Shere Khan then assures Mowgli that one day, he will get his revenge, when the pack, Bagheera, or Baloo won't be able to protect him. Bagheera and Baloo attempt to teach Mowgli how to hunt, only resulting in failed attempts from Mowgli. Bagheera then makes Mowgli look into her eyes, a trick Shere Khan uses on his victims, believing it will prepare Mowgli, should he ever encounter Shere Khan alone. Mowgli learns the lesson and