Previously, I explored the stories of two feral children—Genie and Victor. Today, we continue this series by examining the case of Amala and Kamala, often referred to as the “wolf-children” of India.
Stories of children raised by animals are often associated with fiction, such as Tarzan. However, as we’ve seen throughout this series, real-life cases challenge our understanding of childhood development and human socialization.
In October 1920, Reverend J.A.L. Singh was on a mission in Midnapore, India, when villagers reported seeing a ghost near a wolf den. Upon investigation, Singh and his team claimed to have discovered two young girls living among a pack of wolves—Amala, approximately 18 months old, and Kamala, around 8 years old. According to Singh’s account, the wolf mother fiercely protected the girls and died during the rescue.
After being brought into human care, the girls reportedly struggled to adapt to society. They had difficulty with basic human behaviors such as walking upright, eating cooked food, social interaction, and speech. Their development appeared severely delayed, highlighting the impact of early neglect and deprivation.
However, this story is highly controversial. Many historians and psychologists argue that Reverend Singh fabricated or exaggerated large parts of the narrative. While the girls did exist, evidence suggests they may have had neurodevelopmental disorders, and the idea that wolves raised them for years is biologically unlikely. Additional claims—such as the girls being unable to sweat or emitting blue light from their eyes—have further fueled skepticism.
Whether the wolf-raising story is fact or myth, one truth remains undeniable: early childhood neglect and deprivation can cause profound and lasting damage. During the formative years, the brain develops rapidly, and without consistent care, stimulation, and human interaction, children can suffer irreversible developmental consequences.
If you’re interested in early childhood development, psychology, and educational topics, check out my social media links and blog for more in-depth articles and resources.
Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video.
📚 Further Reading
You can read the following articles for more information:
Medium – After living in a wolf den, these two Indian sisters were never able to acclimate to society:
https://medium.com/timeline/after-living-in-wolf-den-these-two-indian-sisters-were-never-able-to-acclimate-to-society-d2aa339f3a40
Homegrown – Stories Of 3 Indian Children Who Were 'Raised By Wolves': The Real Jungle Book?:
https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-voices/incredible-stories-of-3-indian-children-who-were-raised-in-the-wild-feral-facts-or-myth
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