CBSE Class 12 English The Tiger King Notes Set 03

About the Author - Kalki

Theme

The story of the Tiger King revolves around the political landscape of the time and the struggle of local rulers against the domination of the Britishers. It is a satire on the callousness of those in power towards the welfare of their subjects as portrayed by the Tiger King.

Summary

The Maharaja Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur was called "Tiger King”. When he was just 10 days, the chief astrologer foretold that he would be killed by a tiger as he was born in the hour of the bull (since the bull and the tiger were enemies). But, the 10day old prince spoke, much to everybody’s surprise and uttered "Let tigers beware!”. The child grew up like any other royal child drinking white cow's milk...
taught by an English tutor, looked after by an English nanny and watched English films. When he was 20, he was crowned as king. When he killed a tiger and stood before the astrologer trying to prove the prediction wrong, he was told by the astrologer that it was the 100th tiger that would kill him. From then on, he started killing tigers and no one else was allowed to hunt tigers. A high- ranking British officer who was fond of hunting tigers visited the state and expressed his desire to hunt tigers but his wish was declined. The officer requested for at least a photograph with the carcass of a tiger but even this request was rejected. He was in danger of losing his throne. In order to please the British officer, he sent 50 diamond rings to his wife, the Duraisani, expecting her to choose two rings and return the rest. Instead, she kept all the rings costing 3 lakh rupees and sent a ‘thank you’ note to the Maharaja. Thus, he saved his throne. In 10 years, he killed 70 tigers and had exhausted the tiger population in Pratibandapuram. So, he decided to marry a girl from a royal state which had more tigers to achieve his target. Whenever he visited his father-in-law, he killed 5-6 tigers. Thus, he killed 99 tigers and was feverishly anxious to kill the 100th one, but couldn't find it. News about the presence of a tiger in a nearby village proved disappointing. Now the Dewan was in danger. So, he visited People's Park in Madras' and brought an old tiger and placed it in the forest and informed the Maharaja. The Maharaja took great care and shot the tiger at close range and left the place triumphantly thinking that he killed the 100th tiger. Unfortunately, the bullet had missed the mark and the tiger had collapsed due to sheer exhaustion. The hunters killed the tiger and brought it in a grand procession. The relieved Maharaja now wanted to turn his attention to his family and on his son’s 3rd birthday he bought a gift for his son, wooden toy tiger. While the Maharaja was playing with the prince, a tiny sliver of the poorly carved wooden tiger pierced his right hand which later on led to his death. Thus, the hundredth tiger takes his final revenge upon the "Tiger King”.

Important Points at a glance

Vocabulary

• 1. Strategic- helping to achieve a plan
• 2. Stuka bomber- a war plane
• 3. Indomitable-strong, brave and impossible to defeat
• 4. Stupefaction-unable to think clearly
• 5. Enunciated-to pronounce words or parts of words very clearly
• 6. Incoherent-expressed in a way that it is unclear
• 7. Confiscated- seize; take by force
• 8. Durai- British officer
• 9. Duraisani- British officer’s wife
• 10. Harakiri-A ritual suicide practised in Japanese samurai
• 11. Suppurating- infected.

Extract based questions Very Short Answers

Q1. Extract based questions (Solved)
From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram. The State banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. A proclamation was issued to the effect that if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated. The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers. Initially the king seemed well set to realise his ambition. Not that he faced no dangers. There were times when the bullet missed its mark, the tiger leapt upon him and he fought the beast with his bare hands. Each time it was the Maharaja who won.

i “From that day onwards, it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram”. The reason for the celebration by the tigers was_______.
Answer: The reason for celebration by tigers was that the Tiger King had banned hunting tigers in his Kingdom and the property of those who even flung a stone at a tiger would be confiscated.

ii What were the dangers faced by the Tiger King in achieving his target?
Answer: There were times when the bullet missed its mark, the tiger leapt upon him and he fought the beast with his bare hands.

iii The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers. What does this tell us about the Maharaja?
(a) he was concerned about his people
(b) he was least concerned about his subjects
(c) he was concerned about tigers
(d) None of the above
Answer: b

iv) The word closest in meaning to proclamation is
(a) manifesto
(b) ultimatum
(c) edifice
(d) decree
Answer: d

v) ' ...... if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated’. What trait of the king is reflected in the above line ?
Answer: determination

Q2. Extract based questions (Solved)
The dewan went home convinced that if the Maharaja did not find the tiger soon, the results could be catastrophic. He felt life returning to him only when he saw the tiger which had been brought from the People’s Park in Madras and kept hidden in his house. At midnight when the town slept in peace, the dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the seat. The dewan himself drove the car straight to the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. When they reached the forest, the tiger launched its satyagraha and refused to get out of the car. The dewan was thoroughly exhausted in his efforts to haul the beast out of the car and push it down to the ground.

i) The tiger was brought from _______
Answer: People’s Park in Madras

ii) The word closest in meaning to catastrophic in the passage is --------
(a) Exhausted
(b) disastrous
(c) Both a&b
(d) None of the above
Answer: b

iii) Why was the Dewan ‘thoroughly exhausted’
Answer: – in his efforts to haul the tiger out of the car -and push it down to the ground

iv) Why did the Dewan feel like life returning to him when he saw the tiger?
Answer: He was relieved to have found a tiger otherwise he would have to face the consequences.

v) Why did the tiger launch its satyagraha?
Answer: It refused to budge from the car

Short answer Questions

Answer the following in 40-50 words

Q1. Describe the efforts made by the tiger king to achieve his target of killing a hundred tiger?
Answer: Value Points: The tiger king started killing tigers due to prophecy by the Chief astrologer – the king would be killed by the hundredth tiger. After taking over the state affair, he started his tiger hunt. In ten years – killed 70 tigers – tiger population became extinct in his state – decided to marry a princess whose state has large no. of tigers – managed to kill 99 tigers-Tigers became extinct in his father-in-law’s state –the king got annoyed. The dewan brought the tiger from people’s park in Madras. The king aimed and shot at it–the bullet missed the mark- oblivious of this the king was relieved–turned to home affairs- brought a wooden toy tiger as a gift for his son on his third birthday – a sliver pricked his hand & he died. The prediction proved true.

Q2. How was the king about to lose his throne and how did he save it?
Answer: Suggested Answer / Value Points: The king made a firm resolution to kill 100 tigers – banned tiger killing – even if anyone dared to fling a stone – all his wealth would be confiscated. He was in danger of losing his throne – a high ranking British officer visited his state – desire for being photographed with the tiger, he had shot or at least with the carcass– Maharaja refused the permission – thinking other British officers would make similar requests – Naturally, it had displeased the British officer – in order to resolve – sent samples of 50 diamond rings to British officer’s wife hoping that she would choose any 02 and return the rest– instead she thanked him for the gift and kept all 50– the king was happy but he had to pay 3 lakh Rupees.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

Q3. “The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power”. How does the author employ the literary device of dramatic irony in the story?
Answer: Suggested Answer / Value Points-

• The story – a satire on the conceits, whims & fancies of people in power.
• The king’s arrogance.
• his insensitivity towards the welfare of his subjects and animals.
• king spending money from the treasury to please the British officer by sending 50 diamond rings to his wife, so that he could save his throne
• his decree banning hunting of tigers in his kingdom
• Dramatic irony – though 99 tigers were mercilessly killed by the Tiger King, he was killed by a toy tiger
• his subjects anticipate his death while the Tiger king celebrates his triumph

Q4. There is a paradox in “The operation was successful. The Maharaja is dead” What does the author intend to suggest?
Answer: Suggested Answer / Value Points: A tiny sliver from the 100th tiger- a toy tiger, pierced the finger of the King which developed an infection and killed the King. The doctors operated on his finger-the operation was “successful” but the maharaja was no more and the prediction by the chief astrologer proved to be true.

Q5. How does ‘The Tiger King’ show man’s callousness towards wildlife?
Answer: Suggested Answer / Value Points- ‘The Tiger King’ is mostly about the Maharaja’s tiger hunt of 100 tigers to avert his death. It reveals indirectly the ruler’s appetite for tiger hunt. It doesn’t show any remorse in taking the lives of tigers.

Q6. Bring out the irony in the statement ‘From that day onwards, it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram.'
Answer: Suggested Answer / Value Points-

• State had banned hunting of tigers
• Irony in the fact that the King was allowed to hunt them and their death was inevitable

Long Answer/CCT Based Questions

Answer the following in 120-150 words

Q1. Your Majesty, I have two wives already. If I marry you-----( Tiger King). No doubt it adds humour to the story. Humour always captures the mind of readers. Taking ideas from the story ‘Tiger King’, write an article on the ‘Importance of Humour in Life’. You may begin like this; Sense of humour helps us deal with problems of life and improves one’s mental and physical health.---
Answer: Suggested value Points:
Importance of Humour

• laughter is the best medicine
• stress buster
• helps face critical situation with ease
• tense situations diffused

Textual Reference

• threat to kingdom- tense situation gets diffused when Durraisani is Offered 50 diamond rings
• The tension created on Tiger King’s failure to shoot more than 70 is diffused when the king holds discussion about his marriage
• the humourous way in which the dewan and his wife bring the hundredth tiger from Madras and how it behaves before and after being shot

Q2. The boy drank the milk of an English cow, was brought up by an English nanny, tutored in English------- ( Tiger king). You realize that western influence on Indian culture is deep rooted since the days of the Tiger King. Write an article using textual references on the pros and cons of western influence on Indian society. You may begin like this----- Indian’s exposure to English language and western influence ----------
Answer: Western influence on Indian Society
Indian’s exposure to English language and Western education have opened doors to new opportunities and advancements, enabling individuals to broaden their horizons, acquire knowledge and connect with the global community. Western influence has also played a significant role in shaping India’s modernization and development. It has introduced innovative ideas, technologies, and systems that have contributed to economic growth, scientific progress and cultural exchange. The adoption of Western practices in various fields such as education, governance, and industry has facilitated India’s integration into the global economy and enhanced its competitiveness on the world stage. The blind emulation of Western values, customs and lifestyles can lead to cultural erosion, diluting the rich heritage and traditions that define Indian identity with a critical and balanced perspective. In the story, Tiger King the prince grew up drinking milk of English cow, brought up by an English nanny tutored in English and watching English movies. It only affirms the fact that Indians were influenced by western culture even when they were ruled by the British. Embracing the positive aspects of Western influence while safeguarding India’s cultural integrity and heritage is key to fostering a harmonious and inclusive society that celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect between cultures. Let us strive to strike a balance between embracing progress and preserving our cultural roots.