Q.Why did the durai want to take a photograph with the carcass? (The Tiger King)

The question is from the Class 12 English (Vistas) story "The Tiger King" by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The Durai (the British officer) wanted a photograph with the tiger carcass because it was a matter of colonial pride and personal ego. Let me explain the context and reasoning step by step.

1. The colonial context of tiger hunting

   In the story, the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram (the Tiger King) had a mission to kill 100 tigers. When he reached the 99th tiger, he faced a problem — tigers were becoming scarce. He married a princess from a state with many tigers, and in return, he had to present a tiger to the British officer (the Durai) who visited his kingdom. The Durai was an avid hunter and wanted to kill a tiger himself.

2. The Durai's demand

   The Maharaja arranged for a tiger to be brought for the Durai to hunt. However, the Maharaja's men drugged the tiger so it would be easy to kill. The Durai shot the tiger, but it was already half-dead from the drug. The Durai suspected something was wrong — the tiger didn't put up a fight.

3. Why the photograph mattered

   The Durai wanted a photograph with the carcass to serve as proof that he had killed a tiger. In colonial India, hunting a tiger was a symbol of courage, power, and masculinity. A photograph was the only way to document and display this achievement. Without it, no one would believe he had actually killed a tiger — especially since the tiger seemed too easy to kill.

4. The deeper irony

   The Durai's insistence on the photograph reveals his insecurity. He knew the tiger was drugged, but he still wanted the photo to maintain his reputation. The Maharaja, who had killed 99 tigers, was forced to comply because the Durai was a British officer with authority. This shows the power dynamics of the colonial era — even a king had to bow to British officials.

5. The twist …

The question asks us to interpret the behaviour of the 'Durai' in the context of "The Tiger King." In this story, 'Durai' refers to a high-ranking British officer. His actions, and those of his wife (the Duraisani), are crucial in understanding the power dynamics and the character's motivations. The author uses this incident to highlight the arrogance and exploitative nature often associated with colonial power.

1. Understanding the Incident: The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram had vowed to kill 100 tigers. A senior British officer, referred to as the Durai, visited the state and expressed a desire to hunt a tiger. He was particularly keen on being photographed with a tiger he had shot, or at least with a tiger shot by the Maharaja.

2. The Maharaja's Dilemma: The Maharaja, firm in his vow and protective of his tiger population (for his own hunting purposes), refused the Durai permission to hunt. He knew that denying a British officer could lead to severe repercussions, potentially even the loss of his kingdom.

3. The Appeasement Strategy: To avert this crisis, the Maharaja sent a gift of fifty expensive diamond rings to the Duraisani, hoping she would choose one or two and return the rest. However, the Duraisani, without hesitation, kept all fifty rings, sending a thank-you note. The Maharaja, though out of pocket by three lakh rupees, was relieved that his kingdom was safe.

4. Analyzing the Durai's Behaviour: The Durai's initial request to hunt, despite knowing the Maharaja's unique vow, stems from a sense of entitlement and superiority. He believes his desires should take precedence. Furthermore, his wife's unhesitating acceptance of all fifty rings, a clear act of greed, reflects a broader selfishness and exploitation of the Maharaja's vulnerable position. The Durai, as her husband and a beneficiary of her actions, is implicitly part of this behaviour.

   Let's evaluate the given options:

   • (A) his concern for the tiger population. This is incorrect. The Durai wanted to hunt a tiger, showing no concern for its conservation.
   • (B) his courage to deny permission to the British officer. This is incorrect. The Maharaja denied permission to the British officer (the Durai), not the other way around. The Durai is the one requesting permission. …