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Ch 15The Tiger King — Class 12 English (Core), concept-first.

'The Tiger King' was written by Kalki, the pen name of the celebrated Tamil writer R. Krishnamurthy (1899-1954). Kalki was one of the most popular and influential figures in modern Tamil literature, known for his short stories, novels, essays and historical romances, and admired for a style that blends vivid storytelli…

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1

Concept

40m

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Section C · Literature Textbooks (Flamingo & Vistas) · across all 19 lessons

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Key concepts

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Prophecy Interpretation

Imagine you're reading a horoscope in a newspaper. It says, "A major change is coming your way." That's vague, right? Almost anyone could find something in their day that fits.

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Chapter contents

The NCERT structure, section by section. Open a section to see its questions, then read the concept-first solution.

About the Author and the Text

'The Tiger King' was written by Kalki, the pen name of the celebrated Tamil writer R. Krishnamurthy (1899-1954).

1.1

Summary of the Lesson

The story is a satire on the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, mockingly called the Tiger King. At his birth the astrologers predict that his death will come from a tiger.

1.2

Themes

The dominant theme is a biting satire on the arrogance, vanity and irresponsibility of autocratic princes.

1.3

Character Sketches

The story's satire is carried by a small cast: the vain Maharaja himself — the Tiger King — his timid, scheming dewan, and the high-ranking British officer whose displeasure briefly endangers the thro…

1.3.1

The Maharaja (the Tiger King)

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, the Tiger King, is the central figure and the target of the story's satire.

1.3.2

The dewan

The dewan is the king's chief minister, and he is drawn as timid, cunning and eager to please. His main concern is always to keep the king satisfied and to save his own position, so he devotes his ing…

1.3.3

The British officer

The British officer appears briefly but reveals much about the world of the story. A high-ranking Englishman, he wishes to hunt a tiger in the king's state and to be photographed with his kill, expect…

1.4

Title and Message

The title of the story is deeply ironic, and through it Kalki delivers a two-fold message — about the abuse of power and about the futility of defying fate.

1.4.1

The Significance of the Title

The title, 'The Tiger King', is richly ironic and sums up the whole story in three words. On the surface it is a grand, admiring name for the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who becomes famous as the kin…

1.4.2

The Message of the Story

The first part of the message is a warning against arrogance and the abuse of power. The king treats his kingdom, its wealth and its wildlife as tools for his own vanity, killing without limit and spe…

Summary

- Premise: The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, known as the Tiger King, is born under a prophecy that he will be killed by a tiger. He vows to kill a hundred tigers to defy fate.

Read and Find Out

As you read this Vistas lesson, the NCERT textbook stops you at a few points with short boxed questions — the "Read and Find Out" questions — that check whether you have followed the story so far.

+Read and Find Out5 questions
  1. Q1Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?Free
  2. Q2What did the royal infant grow up to be?Free
  3. Q3What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?Preview
  4. Q4How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?Preview
  5. Q5What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably disproved?Preview

Reading with Insight

+Reading with Insighti5 questions
  1. Q1The 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?Free
  2. Q2What is the author's indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?Free
  3. Q3How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja's minions towards him? Do you find them truly sincere towards him or are they driven by…Preview
  4. Q4Can you relate instances of game-hunting among the rich and the powerful in the present times that illustrate the callousness of human being…Preview
  5. Q5We need a new system for the age of ecology — a system which is embedded in the care of all people and also in the care of the Earth and all…Preview

Additional Practice

Extra exam-style practice questions written by us on this lesson — beyond the NCERT textbook's own exercises — for more CBSE board-exam preparation.

+Additional Practicei13 questions
  1. Q1What prophecy did the astrologers make about the Tiger King at his birth? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Free
  2. Q2How did the Maharaja react to the prediction that a tiger would cause his death? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Free
  3. Q3Why did the Tiger King decide to marry, and how did it help his tiger-hunting mission? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Free
  4. Q4What actually happened with the hundredth tiger? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Preview
  5. Q5How did the Tiger King finally meet his death? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Preview
  6. Q6What difficulties did the king face in fulfilling his vow to kill a hundred tigers? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Preview
  7. Q7How does the king appease the British officer's wish, and what does it show? (Answer in 30–40 words.)Preview
  8. Q8"'The Tiger King' is a satire on the arrogance of those in power." Discuss with examples. (Answer in 120–150 words.)Preview
  9. Q9How does the story bring out the theme of the futility of trying to defy fate? (Answer in 120–150 words.)Preview
  10. Q10Attempt a character sketch of the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. (Answer in 120–150 words.)Preview
  11. Q11Comment on the dramatic irony that runs through 'The Tiger King'. (Answer in 120–150 words.)Preview
  12. Q12What does the story reveal about the whims and irresponsibility of autocratic rulers? (Answer in 120–150 words.)Preview
  13. Q13Describe the lengths to which the king went to kill his tigers, and what this shows about him. (Answer in 120–150 words.)Preview