Punjab’s champion buffalo Raja goes missing, owner offers Rs 1 lakh reward; won over 100 races, bagged tractor, car and 87 bikes

Raja Jhota, a celebrated 20-year-old buffalo known for his winning record in traditional Punjabi racing competitions, has been missing from Kala Sanghian village in Punjab’s Kapurthala district for around 20 days. His owner, 25-year-old Jaskaran Singh, has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for anyone who helps trace and recover the prized animal, according to a report by The Tribune. Raja reportedly disappeared along with two other buffaloes belonging to the family and a relative, prompting a police investigation.

Raja Jhota’s 19-year racing career

According to The Tribune, Raja competed in more than 100 traditional buffalo and bull-racing championships over a career spanning 19 years. His prizes included a tractor, a car, 87 motorbikes and cash awards, making him a celebrated name among cattle-racing enthusiasts across Punjab.

Raja was particularly successful at the Dhapai bull-racing Mela, which he reportedly won for 10 consecutive years, and at Nattan Di Daur, where he claimed victories for six years. He was also known for competing in traditional events such as “Hult races” and “Jhoteyan Di Daur”.


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For Jaskaran, however, Raja was more than a prize-winning animal. He had cared for the buffalo since it was around one-and-a-half years old and considered him a member of the family. Speaking to The Tribune, Jaskaran said the family was devastated by Raja’s disappearance and had struggled to cope with his absence.

How did the prized buffalo go missing?

The family reportedly discovered Raja missing after tying him near a khuh, or field motor, and returning the following morning. Two other female buffaloes belonging to the family and a relative were also found missing.

A police investigation was launched, and CCTV footage reportedly showed a Bolero camper transporting all three animals. However, investigators were unable to trace them further, according to the report.

Jaskaran told The Tribune that Raja was difficult for strangers to handle and would not normally allow anyone else to untie or take him away. He suspects the buffalo may have been deceived, possibly by being given something to eat, before being taken.

The family has appealed to the public for information and offered Rs 1 lakh to anyone who helps recover Raja.

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Family had planned to retire Raja this year

Raja’s association with the family stretches back nearly two decades. Jaskaran’s grandfather, Jarnail Singh, and father, Charanjit Singh, nurtured the family’s interest in buffalo racing. Charanjit bought Raja as a one-and-a-half-year-old calf from Harimpur village around 19 years ago.

Jaskaran was in Class 9 when he left his studies to devote himself to Raja’s care. The buffalo’s diet included regular feed as well as a mixture of fox nuts, almonds and ghee to help maintain his muscular build.

The family had planned to honour Raja with a turban at the Baba Kahan Das Bull Race tournament in December before retiring him from competition. As the buffalo approached the age of 20, Jaskaran said the family had hoped to stop racing him and focus on caring for him.

With Raja still missing, the family’s priority is to find him and bring him home safely.