Tabaqui (Jungle Book 1994)

Tabaqui is a supporting villain in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.

Role in the film
Tabaqui was a jungle guide and bandit who was well aware of the Black Jungle's dangers. He was also a friend of Buldeo, a local hunter and bandit.

Tabaqui is first seen after Buldeo assists in Mowgli's arrest by knocking the boy out after he eludes the British troops. Buldeo finds a jeweled dagger on Mowgli's person and is intrigued by it and knows that it comes from the mythical City of Hanuman. But Captain William Boone approaches and takes the "queen's evidence" off the reluctant hunter and while Boone and Lieutenant Wilkins marvel over the sight of the valuable, Buldeo matter-of-factly informs the two that there's bound to be more treasure like the dagger, before leaving on horseback with Tabaqui who was waiting for him.

Several days later, as the jungle boy is being educated and re-introduced to civilization by Katherine "Kitty" Brydon and Dr. Julius Plumford, Boone and Wilkins meet up with Buldeo who is drinking at an outdoor tavern during an Indian celebration. Buldeo introduces them to his friend who is sat at the table with them and they tell Boone and Wilkins the stories of the "Lost City of Hanuman" and how all who traveled there to claim treasure perished along the way and Tabaqui further backs up Buldeo's point by adding that entering the Black Jungle would be risking your life, unless one knew the way. They decide to persuade Mowgli into helping them.

Mowgli refuses and Kitty later calls off her engagement to Boone after his treatment of Mowgli. The following day, Boone, Lt. Wilkins, Buldeo, Sergeant Harley, and Tabaqui round up some bandits and track down Mowgli. They attempt to capture Mowgli so he can lead them to the treasure but fail as Baloo intervenes only to be shot and wounded by Boone and Wilkins.

Boone's team as with the bandits then kidnap Kitty, knowing that Mowgli will do anything for her. In the process, her father; Colonel Brydon is shot in the leg and inadvertently captured as well. Mowgli catches up with the group and is told by Boone that if he doesn't lead them to the lost city, "unpleasantries may occur." Tabaqui then holds his knife to Kitty's throat at Buldeo's command, threatening her life. Mowgli agrees to take them there. Along the way, Tabaqui remains at the front of the group, acting as an escort to the group should any danger come by.

After Mowgli is captured by the evil British soldiers and the remaining Indian bandits, Boone and everyone else are being watched by Bagheera and the wolf pack as they begin their treasure quest while Bagheera stares at Boone and Wilkins mostly. When Wilkins asks himself why Bagheera is staring at them, Mowgli replies, "Because to him, you are food." A reply is hinted afterwards when Bagheera sticks out his tongue to show his hunger for them.

That night, after Mowgli silences a group of howling wolves to stop Wilkins complaining, Shere Khan's growl is heard. Tabaqui tells Boone that Shere Khan is nearby and is returning to the area. Boone initially hopes to hunt the tiger, but Buldeo strongly advises him not to.

The next morning, the group wake up to Harley shouting and alerting them of Mowgli's escape, but the soldier falls into quicksand and begins to sink. Wilkins poorly tries to rescue Harley, but by the time the rest of the group catches up, it's too late. Boone, however, is unaffected by Harley's death - stating that they shouldn't waste time over "every little thing." As the journey continues, Wilkins begins to stress and complain more and more much to Tabaqui's annoyance.

Later on, Tabaqui splits off from the group and finds Mowgli who is atop some cliffs, surveying the group's journey. He ferociously attacks the jungle boy and tries to throw him off the edge, while the group watches from below, and when that plan fails, he beats Mowgli to the ground, picks up a large boulder and tries to crush Mowgli with it. But Mowgli kicks Tabaqui and he begins to lose balance under the weight of the boulder. Tabaqui then falls screaming from the cliff edge to his death in a shallow section of the pond far below.

Trivia

 * In the original Jungle Book novel, Tabaqui was a Golden jackal who feeds on scraps from either Shere Khan or the wolves of the Seeonee Pack. In some adaptions, he is a hyena.