NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 2: The Tiger King
Introduction to The Tiger King Chapter
The Tiger King is the second chapter in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook, written by Tamil author and journalist Kalki. The story is a satire that mocks the arrogance of those in power, told through the tale of a Maharaja determined to defy a prophecy about his own death. Beneath its humour, the chapter carries sharp commentary on fate, ego, and the careless exploitation of nature by people who believe authority makes them invincible. Check out NCERT Solutions for Class 12 and NCERT solutions for Class 12 English, NCERT solutions for Class 10 English-Vistas.
Find the PDF of NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 2: The Tiger King
About the Author Kalki
Kalki, whose real name was Krishnamurthy, was a well-known Tamil writer, journalist, and freedom fighter. He is remembered for combining storytelling with social and political commentary, often using irony and wit to expose the foolishness of the powerful. The Tiger King is a fine example of his satirical style, where a serious theme of mortality is presented through comic exaggeration.
Setting and Background of the Story
The story is set in the fictional princely state of Pratibandapuram during the era of British colonial influence over Indian royal states. This setting lets the author comment not only on one ruler's vanity but also on the dynamics between Indian princes and British officials, where favours and flattery often decided political fortunes.
Main Characters in The Tiger King
Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|
Maharaja Jung Jung Bahadur (the Tiger King) | Protagonist; obsessed with killing 100 tigers to defeat a prophecy |
The Chief Astrologer | Predicts that a tiger will cause the Maharaja's death |
The Dewan (minister) | Carries out the king's orders, including arranging the hundredth tiger |
The British Officer and his wife | Represent colonial pressure and the king's strategy of appeasement through gifts |
Plot Summary in Brief
At his birth, astrologers predict that Jung Jung Bahadur will die because of a tiger. The infant is said to have spoken at ten days old, challenging the astrologers to reveal how he would die rather than simply that he would. Once he becomes Maharaja at twenty, he resolves to kill one hundred tigers. He bans all other tiger hunting in his kingdom, marries a princess from a tiger-rich state once his own forests run short, and bribes a British officer with expensive gifts to avoid letting him hunt. After years of hunting he reaches ninety-nine tigers, but the hundredth proves impossible to find. To save face, his Dewan secretly arranges an old, half-dead tiger from a zoo, which the Maharaja shoots, believing he has completed his vow. Later, while playing with his son, a splinter from a wooden toy tiger pierces his hand. The wound turns infected, and despite surgery he dies, making the prophecy come true through an animal that was never alive at all.
Themes Explored in the Chapter
Irony of fate: All the Maharaja's efforts to escape death by a tiger are undone by a toy tiger, not a real one.
Abuse of power: The king bans hunting for everyone but himself and exploits his subjects for personal ambition.
Colonial flattery and politics: The diamond-rings episode shows how Indian rulers appeased British officials to protect their thrones.
Human disregard for nature: The relentless killing of tigers reflects how authority often treats wildlife as expendable.
Key Literary Devices Used
Device | Example in the Story |
|---|---|
Dramatic irony | Readers sense the coming downfall long before the Maharaja does |
Satire | The entire narrative mocks royal vanity and superstition |
Hyperbole | The king's exaggerated titles and claims add comic effect |
Symbolism | The wooden tiger represents the inescapability of fate |
Important Points for Exam Preparation
Exam answers often ask students to explain how dramatic irony is used throughout, describe the significance of the wooden tiger in the climax, and discuss the story as a critique of those who misuse authority. Questions may also explore the Maharaja-British officer relationship as a reflection of colonial-era power dynamics.
Quick Reference Table
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Genre | Satire |
Narrative style | Third person, with a mock-historical tone |
Central conflict | Man's attempt to defy a prophesied fate through power |
Number of tigers targeted | One hundred |
Cause of death | Infection from a splinter of a wooden toy tiger |
Conclusion
The Tiger King endures as a memorable chapter because it uses humour to deliver a serious message about pride, fate, and the consequences of unchecked power. Its blend of irony and satire makes it a rich text for analysing how authors use comic storytelling to critique real social behaviour.
FAQs – Chapter 2: The Tiger King Solutions
The Maharaja is called the “Tiger King” because his life becomes entirely focused on killing tigers, as it is predicted that he will die when he is 100th tiger is not killed. This prophecy shapes his entire rule and personality. He starts hunting tigers aggressively to protect his throne and life. Ironically, his obsession with killing tigers makes him foolish and blind to reality. The title also reflects satire, as it mocks rulers who prioritize ego and superstition over real governance. His identity becomes more about fear of destiny than actual leadership or responsibility toward his kingdom.
To avoid the prophecy, the Tiger King begins killing tigers one by one in large numbers. When tigers in his kingdom become scarce, he marries into a royal family that has a large tiger population. He even allows hunting in his wife’s kingdom to fulfill his goal. When he cannot find enough tigers, he uses deceit and manipulation to maintain the count. Eventually, he believes he has defeated fate. However, ironically, he dies due to a wooden tiger toy, proving that destiny cannot be controlled by power or manipulation, no matter how hard one tries.
The central message of the story is that human beings cannot escape fate, no matter how powerful or clever they are. The Tiger King represents arrogance and blind belief in superstition. The story also criticizes rulers who misuse power for personal survival instead of public welfare. It highlights irony and satire, showing how the king’s actions to avoid death ultimately lead him closer to it. The story teaches that ego and overconfidence can lead to downfall, and true wisdom lies in accepting life’s uncertainties rather than trying to control everything through force or manipulation.