Marakkai,

The theory that these were commissioned based on pictures of tigers painted on the walls of Hindu temples is definitely possible as I can see a clear resemblance especially to pictures in temples in South India. A number of zamindars in the South especially in what was then called the "Composite Madras Presidency" by British bureaucrats were keen hunters and they might well have commissioned religious scenes as many of them were more religious than North Indian Hindus were.

If you would need any assistance in contacting the owner of the Jeffrey records in the USA and if I could help, just let me know. I'd be more than happy to do what I could.

Good hunting!