His Supreme Highness, the Maharajah of Pankot, Zalim Singh was the thirteen-year-old son of Premjit Singh and the prince who ruled over the province of Pankot.
Biography
Zalim Singh was born in 1922. He was educated by an English tutor in preparation for his reign as Maharajah of Pankot Province. While still a child, Singh ascended to the throne of following the death of his father Premjit in 1930.[1]
Singh was secretly controlled by his devious prime minister Chattar Lal who was a member of the Thuggee cult. In 1935, at the urging of his prime minister, Singh hosted the Guardian of Tradition Dinner at Pankot Palace to raise the status of Pankot among its neighboring principalities, and many dignitaries and merchants were invited. Several unexpected guests arrived and were also brought to the banquet: Captain Blumburtt and Indiana Jones. At dinner, both of these men discussed the possibility of a Thuggee revival, and Singh spoke up to proclaim that the Thuggee were a thing of the past, insisting to his subjects that his kingdom would never grant asylum to the cult. However, he was unaware that Lal had been drugging his drinks to make him a participant in the rituals that occurred at the Kali temple hidden beneath his palace.[2]
Later, Singh was responsible for torturing Indiana Jones with a kryta doll in his likeness while the archaeologist was foiling the chief Thuggee guard. Short Round, who never really liked Singh, stopped the maharajah from doing any further harm, and also freed him from his enslavement by using a torch (just as he had done to free Indy). Grateful to Short Round for liberating him from the Black Sleep of the Kali Ma, but ashamed of himself at the same time, Singh gave directions for escaping the mines to Short Round. Anxious to redeem himself for his actions, Singh made his own escape from the mines, contacted Captain Blumburtt and his men and led them to the bridge where the rest of the Thuggee were attempting to kill Indiana Jones. After the cultists were dealt with, Singh bowed to Short Round in thanks for liberating him, which was returned with a wave of Shorty's cap.[2]
Behind the scenes
In Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Zalim Singh was played by actor Raj Singh.
Appearances
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom novel
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom comic
- LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (Non-canonical appearance)
- LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (Non-canonical appearance)
Sources
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: The Illustrated Screenplay
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Sourcebook
Chattar Lal's Marshall College entry on IndianaJones.com (backup link on Archive.org)
Mola Ram's Marshall College entry on IndianaJones.com (backup link on Archive.org)- Zalim Singh's Marshall College entry on IndianaJones.com (backup link on Archive.org)
- Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide