THE TIGER KING

Short Answer Questions

Q. WHO IS THE TIGER KING? WHY DOES HE GET THAT NAME?

Ans: The Tiger King is Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the king of Pratibandapuram who was a maharajah of indomitable
courage. When the prince was born, astrologers predicted that despite his greatness he would have to die one day,
by a tiger as he was born in the hour of the bull. 'Let tigers beware!' growled the young prince on hearing the
prophecy. He led a life obsessively hunting down tigers to disapprove the prophecy and decided to kill a hundred
tigers. But as fate decided he was finally killed by a suppurative wound caused by slivers from a wooden tiger. As a
result, the moniker "Tiger King" was bestowed upon him.

2. WHAT DID THE ROYAL INFANT GROW UP TO BE?

Ans: The royal newborn grew up to be Pratibandapuram's king, being raised by royal traditions fit for a crown prince.
When he grew 20, the rumours of the prophecy reached his ears that one day he would be killed by a tiger. The chief
astrologers adamant declaration that even if he killed 99 tigers he has to beware of the 100th, set the young king on
an obsessive pursuit to kill 100 tigers. As a result, he slaughtered all of Pratibandapuram's tigers, let his own life at
risk, let his kingdom at risk of British takeover, even married for this ambition. His life’s pursuits were all arounf tiger
hunting and he earned the moniker "Tiger King."

3. WHAT WILL THE MAHARAJA DO TO FIND THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF TIGERS TO KILL?

Ans: Following the declaration of the chief astrologer, the Maharaja started his pursuit to kill 100 tigers. First a
proclamation was issued banning tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja himself. If any commoner even hurled
a stone at a tiger, their wealth and lands shall be confiscated. When the tiger population of Pratibandapuram
dwindled, the Maharaja instructed his dewan to draw the statistics of tiger population in the different native states,
then to investigate if there was a royal princess in a state with a large tiger population that the raja could marry. A
suitable female for matrimony should not only be from a royal family, but also a state with a significant tiger
population. Because there were no more tigers in Pratibandapuram, a region belonging to his father-in-law would
undoubtedly offer him the opportunity to kill more tigers and achieve his goal of killing one hundred tigers. After
marriage, he achieved a final tally of 99 tiger hunts by killing 5 to 6 tigers each time he visited his father in law.

4. HOW WILL THE MAHARAJA PREPARE HIMSELF FOR THE HUNDREDTH TIGER WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO DECIDE
HIS FATE?

Ans: The Maharaja was waiting eagerly and anxiously to kill the 100th tiger as the tiger population in both
Pratibandapuram and his father in laws’s kingdoms had become extinct. He had to be extremely careful with the last
tiger as the chief astrologer’s prophecy predicted that even if he killed 99 tigers he had to be extremely careful of the
100th as the tiger is a savage beast.

5. WHAT WILL NOW HAPPEN TO THE ASTROLOGER? DO YOU THINK THE PROPHECY WAS INDISPUTABLY
DISPROVED?

Ans: Before the king of Pratibandapuram had a chance to slaughter a hundred tigers, the astrologer dies. The king's
existence appears to be solely to disprove his prophecy. Everything else for the king takes a backseat to slaughter a
hundred tigers. The prophecy can't be proven false because the king was eventually killed by a tiger, though not a
real one or the hundredth. No one would have guessed that the hundredth tiger, which was feeble, aged, and almost
lifeless, would escape the king's bullet by fainting from the shock of the bullet speeding by. The death of the Tiger
King was brought about by the toy shop's "small little wooden tiger."
6. WHY DOES THE MAHARAJA KILL THE TIGER?

Ans: When the Maharaja was born, the astrologers gave a ominous prophecy that the great king, warrior of warriors,
hero of heroes, champion of champions shall one day die at the hands of a tiger as he was born in the hour of the
bull. When the prince grew up, he killed his first tiger. Filled with pride beyond measure he called upon the chief
astrologer and asked him “ what do you say now?’ but the astrologer maintained adamantly that even after killing 99
tigers the 100th tiger still bears the prophecy. This led the maharaja to obsessively start a tiger hunting spree to kill
100 tigers until the prophecy was disapproved.

7. WHY DOES THE MAHARAJA WANT TO GET MARRIED?

Ans: When he was too young, just ten days, an astrologer predicted that a tiger will kill him, in the purpose of to
prove the prediction lie he started tiger hunting at such a rate that within a few years there were no tigers left in
Prabitibananadapuram. After killing all the tigers in his kingdom he still needed to kill 30 more to disapprove the
prophecy. Hence, he decided to marry a girl belonging from a new royal state, with a high tiger population, so he can
fulfil his target. This is the actual reason for the king to get married.

8. WHY DID THE MAHARAJA FEAR LOSING HIS THRONE?

Ans: In his pursuit to kill 100 tigers, The Maharaja had issued a proclamation in his kingdom that no one except the
king could hunt a tiger, otherwise serious punishments prevailed. In his obstinancy, he refused the request of a senior
british officer also. Maharja felt if he gave in to one british officer more will follow up to kill tigers in his kingdom and
he will then be unable to resist. He firmly refused permisiion for a tiger hunt, but was ready to allow a boar hunt, a
mouse hunt even a mosquito hunt. The request was not granted even when the Durai only wanted to click a
photograph of himself holding a gun and standing on the carcass of a tiger, which could have been killed by the
Maharaja himself. The Maharaja was anxious because he did not permit the British officer to fulfil his wish, and thus
feared that he would lose his throne.

9. EXPLAIN THE ‘RING EPISODE’ IN CHAPTER 2 OF CLASS 12 ENGLISH VISTAS.

The Maharaja stood in danger of losing his kingdom as he prevented a British officer from fulfilling his desire of tiger
hunting. The Maharaja and the dewan then planned to compensate the officer with bribe. He called a popular British
jewellery company in Calcutta to make samples of expensive diamond rings of different designs. They sent about 50
rings. The maharaja sent the rings to the British officer’s good lady Durasani. He thought that she would choose one
or two rings, but instead, she sent a letter of thanks and kept all the rings. Eventually the Maharaja lost three lakh
rupees but retained his kingdom. This event revealed human weaknesses, greed, pride, flattery, and cunningness.

10. WHY WAS THE MAHARAJA AFRAID WHEN HE HAD TO KILL THE 100TH TIGER?

Ans. The Maharaja was afraid of the 100th tiger as the ill fated prophecy warned him that even after killing 99 tigers
the king had to be aware of the 100th tiger which could still seal his fate of death. He had only one thought during the
day and the same dream at the night. He would live peacefully after the 100th tiger was killed and the prediction of
the astrologer had been nullified. He was afraid of the 100th tiger, as long as it lived the prediction of his death was
looming in his mind as a grave indomitable fate.

The Tiger King Important Questions Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

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: [‘Conceit’ means an extremely favourable and high opinion of one’s own abilities and worth, while
‘satire’ refers to the use of irony, humour, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize stupidity and vices of
people in a particular context or situation.]

The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. The king is known to be an extremely conceited person right
from the beginning. As a ten-day-old infant, he pronounced the words, “Let tigers beware!” By challenging the
astrologer’s prediction, he also challenges his death. Moreover, killing seventy tigers within a period of ten years and
bringing the entire species close to extinction, marrying for the convenience of killing more tigers, exercising his
authority to punish or tax people according to his whims and fancies, flaunting his power and richness in sending
about fifty rings to the British officer’s lady or paying a bill of three lakh rupees, having a temper that would make
other people lose their job or even life etc., are all part of this conceit. He does nothing for the sake of his people in
the capacity of a king. All this has been highlighted in the story using humour, irony and exaggeration. Death is an
inevitable phenomenon associated to life itself. Challenging death on the basis of prediction by astrologers is as good
as a wasted effort. Even after the monumental task of killing ninety-nine tigers, the hundredth tiger escaped being
shot by the king’s gun. Unaware of this, he dies merely because of a “tiny little wooden tiger” and not by any
ferocious living creature like tiger. Thus, the dramatic irony surfaces strongly at the end of the story when the readers
realise what the king never does.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S INDIRECT COMMENT ON SUBJECTING INNOCENT ANIMALS TO THE WILFULNESS OF
HUMAN BEINGS?

ANSWER: The author uses satire in his story to talk about the indiscriminate killing of tigers. The entire species of
tigers had become extinct at the state of Pratibandapuram and that of his wife’s native state by the time the king
himself dies. What is pointed in a subtle manner is that these killings are a result of mere whims and fancies. They do
not have any logical explanation at the face of the inevitable status of death. Moreover, the silence on the death of
tigers itself draws a strong co-relation between the life of the king and that of the ninety-nine tigers killed by him.
Besides, no second thought was ever given while killing the tigers. There is also an implicit suggestion of killings for
preserving the vain glory of human in the British officer’s request for a photograph with a dead tiger. It is as if these
animals’ existence is at stake for more than one reason and for no fault of their own. The absurdity highlighted in the
killings, by the author, also makes the readers wonder if these animals deserve more security than human beings.

HOW 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 FEAR WHEN THEY OBEY HIM? DO WE FIND A SIMILARITY
IN TODAY’S POLITICAL ORDER?

ANSWER: Maharaja's minions were servile towards him primarily because of his fury and obstinacy which might
result in either losing their jobs for no apparent fault of theirs or facing unjustified punishments. No one dared to
take the risk of explaining the consequences of the killings to the king or give him any right suggestion or advice. No
one tried to argue any of his decision – be it annihilation of tigers or marrying for the sake of availing further
opportunity for tiger-hunt. No one questioned his neglect of duties towards his people or state. They simply did not
wish to interfere and were happy to comply lest they should face the consequences. They merely had to submit to
his whims and fancies as they existed purely for that very reason. The simple reasoning was that if they cannot do an
assigned job, they did not deserve to be in the job. Even his dewan was asked to resign from his post when he tried
to point out the impracticality of doubling the taxes collected from people. All his subordinates lived in a piteous
state of constant terror of him so much so that the shopkeeper couldn't communicate the original price of an item,
the hunters couldn't inform him about the hundredth tiger being alive and even his dewan had to stealthily arrange
for a tiger to be brought from Chennai. Their sincerity to him, if any, was always shown overpowered by the fear of
their king. Yes, there are lots of similarities between the Maharaja's story and the present political order. People are
discontented as those in power seem to be indifferent to their welfare and that of the state and ecology. Selfish aims
and concerns guide decisions, and mere whims and fancies can change the situation of law and order. Those who try
to bring some positive reform may also not be able to do so as they fear losing their jobs or facing other dire
consequences. Taxes taken from the public are also constantly misappropriated. Reforms either do not materialise or
do so with an extremely slow pace. Yet, the best part is that the real situation is not as bleak as in the story. There are
people working for the benefit and welfare of their community and society, and positive changes do happen.

THE ASTROLOGER’S PREDICTION ABOUT THE DEATH OF THE TIGER KING CAME TO BE TRUE. DO YOU AGREE WITH
THIS STATEMENT?

Answer. I agree with the statement that the astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King came to be true.
The astrologer had predicted that Tiger King would be killed by a tiger and he should be wary of the hundredth tiger.
This statement of the astrologer forced the king to go on a killing spree. The hundredth tiger was not killed by the
king himself but by the hunters, who found out that the old tiger had not died by the bullet of the king but only
fainted by the bullet whizzing past him. The hundredth tiger was a wooden toy tiger which the king had presented to
his three year old son. It killed the king merely by a sliver of wood protruding form it that pierced his right hand. The
wound developed pus and it soon spread all over the arm. The best surgeons failed to save the king and thus, the
astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King proved to be correct.

Q WHAT DEVICES DOES THE AUTHOR USE TO MAKE THE STORY ‘THE TIGER KING’ HUMOROUS AND INTERESTING?

Ans. The author uses many literary devices to make this story humorous as well as interesting. The author employs
humor through witty language, absurd situations, or playful exaggeration to entertain the reader. Right at the start
he uses the comparison of ‘stuka bomber’ to show his determination to tell the tiger kings story. Exaggerations used
to create interest like “The manner of his death is a matter of extraordinary interest”. The way the astrologers
predicted the prophecy and the ten day old infants speech has been very vividly portrayed using expressions and
words such as “ The most fantastic aspect of his demise”. Foreshadowing, shock and surprise to create suspense
throughout the text like the astrologers who “ bit their lips and swallowed hard,”. Hyperbole , satire, imagery, is used
at multiple points throughout the text “celebration time for all the tigers, boar hunt/ mouse hunt/ mosquito hunt,
Who knows whether the tigers practised birth control or committed harakiri? Or simply ran away from the State
because they desired to be shot by British hands alone? It seemed easier to find tiger’s milk than a live tiger” in this
way the text is made interesting for the readers by using pun, satire, figurative language, euphemisms to make the
writing interesting. The tragic ending is explained as a dramatic irony – while the readers know the 100th tiger is still
alive the triumphant maharaja started celebrating his delusional victory over his prophecy. The behaviour of the high-
ranking British officer and that of the Maharaja and his dewan at different points in the story provoke laughter and
maintain the reader’s interest in the narrative.

COMMENT ON THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE TITLE ‘THE TIGER KING’.

Ans. ‘The Tiger King’ is a quite appropriate and suggestive title. It focuses attention on the hero of the story—The
Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who is also nick named the Tiger King. The story spans from his birth to death and
covers all the landmarks connected with his passion—tiger-hunt. For him human relations and the affairs of the state
are secondary. He marries a princess for the sake of a tiger. When he celebrates the third birthday of the crown
prince, he brings a wooden tiger for him as a gift. It is ironic that the sliver of the wooden tiger causes his death. The
overconfidence and false sense of security of the Tiger King on having killed the hundredth tiger leads to his doom.
The story which begins with the prediction of death of the Tiger King right at his birth, ends with his death from a
tiger. Thus, the title is quite apt.

COMMENT ON THE ENDING OF THE STORY ‘THE TIGER KING’. DO YOU FIND IT CONVINCING? GIVE REASONS.

Ans. The ending of the story ‘the tiger king’ is a dramatic irony that highlights that fate and death are inevitable and
cannot be changed even by the most powerful. The tiger king is a maharaja of indomitable courage, who led a major
part of his life obsessively hunting tigers to disapprove the astrologers prophecy about the manner of his death. The
story highlights his pursuit to kill 100 tigers to prevent his own death at the expense of the 100th tiger. The king was
so conceited with power and arrogance that he vowed not to attend to any work until he slays 100 tigers. He put his
own life at risk, risked his kingdom’s acquisition by annoying a british officer, laid arbitrary rules and taxes for his
people, threatened his dewan and officers all for the vanity and prudence to establish his supremacy and invincibility.
But the twist of fate ironically brings his death from a wooden toy tiger. He led a life in vain in his foolish pursuit
bringing the voiceless animals to extinction. He believed in his power and greatness while even his dewan and
subordinates could understand his obsession had been futile. The ending very convincingly establishes that human
pursuits blinded by power and arrogance can lead to immense damages. Yet the fate and destiny cannot be changed.

What problems did the Maharaja face in pursuit of his mission ? How did he resolve them ?

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. What gave the astrologers the greatest surprise of their life while they were studying the horoscope of
the ten-day old prince? (Foreign 2014)

Answer. When the astrologers were reading the horoscope of the little prince, they were taken by surprise when the
ten-day old infant spoke in clear words “O Wise Prophets” . It was a miracle. The 10 day old royal infant not only
spoke clearly but also asked intelligent questions. He told the astrologers that everyone born dies one day- this was
no prediction. He asked them to elaborate upon the manner of his death. When the chief astrologer told him that a
tiger would be the cause of his death, the baby did not fear but growled, “Let the tigers beware!”

Question.2. How did the Maharaja please a high ranking officer? (Compartment 2014)

Answer. A high ranking British officer visited the state of Pratibandapuram and sought permission for tiger hunting
from the Maharaja. The Maharaja declined his request, but as he did not want to upset the officer, he sent fifty
diamond rings to the officer’s wife which cost the king three lakh rupees.

Question.3. Why did the Maharaja ban tiger hunting in the state? (Delhi 2014)

Answer. As the prince was crowned the king, the astrologer’s prediction regarding his (the king’s) death by a tiger
reached his ears. This prompted the Maharaja to kill a tiger but the astrologer informed him that even if he killed 99
tigers the 100th tiger shall bring true the prediction. Maharaja obsessively decided to kill tigers until the 100 th to
escape the prophecy. Thus, in order to reach that mark, the Maharaja banned tiger hunting in the state except for
himself.

Question.4. Why did the Maharaja decide to get married? (Compartment 2014) or What is the reason lor the Tiger
King’s sudden decision to marry? (Compartment 2014)

Answer. In order to defeat the astrologer’s prophecy, the Maharaja had to kill a hundred tigers. He had already killed
seventy tigers and the tiger population in his state neared extinction. For this reason, he wished to marry a girl in the
royal family of a state with a rich tiger population, where he would kill the rest of the tigers.

Question.5. Why did the Maharaja double the land tax? (All India 2014)

Answer. The Maharaja had successfully killed ninety-nine tigers but struggled hard to find the hundredth tiger. Once,
there came a news of a tiger being spotted at a hillside village. He settled down in the village, days passed but the
100th tiger was not getting hunted. As the rajah fury peaked, he lashed his anger, he expelled his officers, and ordered
the dewan to double the land tax in order to punish the villagers as the tiger could not be found.

Question.6. How did the Tiger King become the victim of the hundredth tiger? (Foreign 2014) or How did the Tiger
King meet his end? What is ironical about his fate? (All India 2009)

Answer. The Tiger King met his end through the wooden tiger, which he had bought as a gift for his son on his third
birthday. While he was playing with his son, a splinter of the poorly made toy tiger pricked the king’s hand. The
infection turned into a sore, which spread all over his arm. In spite of the best surgeons, the king’s life could not be
saved. The irony is in the fact that in spite of killing nearly all the tigers in the area, he had to face his death by a toy
tiger.

Question.7. What, sort of hunts did the Maharaja offer to organise for the high-ranking British officer? What trait
of the officer does it reveal? (All India 2013)

Answer. Tiger hunting was banned in Pratibandapuram. When the British official came with a tiger hunt request, the
Maharaja told him that he may conduct a boar hunt, a mouse hunt, even a mosquito hunt, but not a tiger hunt. In
reply to this, the British officer said that he only wanted to be photographed holding a gun and standing ewer the
dead body; the tiger could be killed by the Maharaja. This shows the shallowness and pretence of character of the
officer.

Question.8. Why was the Maharaja so anxious to kill the hundredth tiger? (AR India 2012)

Answer. When the Maharaja was barely ten days old, the chief astrologer had predicted that a tiger would be the
cause of his death. When the Maharaja was twenty, he killed one tiger. When he asked his astrologer, the astrologer
said that he would kill ninety-nine tigers, but he should be fearful of the hundredth tiger. That was the reason why
the Maharaja was so anxious to kill the hundredth tiger. His anxiety reached a fever pitch when only one tiger was
left to be killed to turn around his fate.

Question.9. What warning did the astrologer give the Tiger King when he killed the first tiger? Did the prediction of
the astrologer come to be true? (Foreign 2011)

Answer. When the Maharaja boasted about killing the first tiger, the astrologer said that he may kill ’ ninety-nine
tigers in the same manner, but must be “very careful with the hundredth tiger.” Yes, the astrologer was absolutely
true in this prediction, because finally the Maharaja was killed by the hundredth tiger.

Question.10.How did the Dewan manage to arrange the hundredth tiger for the Maharaja? (Foreign 2011)

Answer. The Dewan had brought a tiger from the People’s Park in Madras and kept it hidden in his house. When the
Maharaja threatened him with dire consequences, he understood that the only way to save himself was to ‘plant’ a
tiger for the kill. So, he and his aged wife dragged the tiger to the forest where the king was hunting. The king took
aim and the beast soon collapsed.

Question.11.Why was the Maharaja sunk in gloom even after having killed seventy tigers? (Foreign 2011)

Answer. During ten years, the Maharaja had managed to kill seventy tigers. As a result, the tiger population became
extinct in his kingdom. This made the Maharaja anxious because he thought he would not be able to achieve his
target of killing a hundred tigers and so his life would be in danger.

Question.12.What led the Maharaja to start out on a tiger hunt? (All India 2010)

Answer. The Maharaja knew the old saying that killing even a cow in self-defence was no sin. So, in order to save his
own life and prove the astrological prediction wrong, he started shooting all his enemies, i.e. the tigers he found in
the forests of his state and nearby regions.

Question.13.When did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his kingdom? (Delhi 2010)

Answer. Once, a high-ranking British officer visited Pratibandapuram. He was very fond of hunting tigers and being
photographed with them. However, the Maharaja refused to give him permission to hunt tigers because he feared
that other British officers too would turn up with the same request. It was because of his refusal that the Maharaja
stood in danger of losing his kingdom.

Question.14.What happened to the tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb? (Delhi 2009)

Answer. The tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb was very old and stood in complete submission. The Maharaja look
aim and fired, but-actually the bullet missed the tiger and the tiger only fainted from the sharp sound of the bullet.
As nobody wanted the Maharaja to know about it, one oflhe hunters himself shot the tiger later on.

Question.15.Describe the efforts made by the Tiger King to achieve his target of killing a hundred tigers. (All India
2009)

Answer. The Tiger King made numerous efforts to fulfil his target of killing a hundred tigers. He vowed to address all
state matters only after killing 100 tigers. First he issued a proclamation that only the king could hunt tigers in his
kingdom. If anyone even hurled a stone, their wealth and lands were confiscated. He put his life at risk from missed
bullets, risk of being mauled by the tigers, risk of the British taking over his kingdom, lost three lakh rupees to
appease the british durai but remained determined to slay 100 tigers. He killed 70 tigers in his kingdom over 10 year
bringing them to extinction. The he married a princess from a tiger rich kingdom and hunted more tigers till he
reached 99. Finally to kill the 100th tiger he awaited in a hillside village for many days and nights. As his fury and rage
grew he fired many officers, doubled up the land taxes until compelled by his obsession the dewan brought an old
feeble tiger from madras. In a way, he led a life obsessively pursuing tigers to achieve the tally of 100 tigers.

Question.16.Did the Tiger King shoot the hundredth tiger? Give reasons for your answer. (Foreign 2009)
Answer. The Tiger King actually did not shoot the hundredth tiger. The tiger being a weak one, fainted from the shock
of a bullet whizzing past him and the ignorant king celebrated his achievement. Later, when the hunters took a closer
look at the tiger, it woke up as if from a deep slumber.

Question.17.How did the Tiger King celebrate his victory over the killing of the hundredth tiger? (Delhi2008)

Answer. When the Maharaja thought that he had killed the hundredth tiger, his joy knew no bounds. The elated king
returned to his capital and ordered his staff to bring the dead tiger in a grand procession. The tiger was buried and a
tomb was erected over it.

Question.18.What was the Dewan’s tiger like? How did he take it into the forest? (Delhi 2008)

Answer. The Dewan’s tiger was old and had been brought from the People’s Park in Madras. It was kept hidden in the
Dewan’s house. At midnight, the Dewan with his wife dragged the tiger to his car and thrust it onto the seat. With
great difficulty, the tiger was pushed out of the car and planted in the forest to be shot by the Maharaja.

Question.19.Why did the Dewan decide to give up his own tiger to be killed by the Maharaja? (Delhi 2008)

Answer. The Maharaja refused to leave the forest unless he killed the hundredth tiger that had been sighted by the
villagers. The Maharaja was furious and sacked many officers. He ordered the Dewan to double the land tax of the
village and when the Dewan tried to stop him, the Maharaja asked him to resign. So, to save his job, the Dewan
decided to arrange for a tiger to be killed by the Maharaja.

2. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?

Answer.

Through this satirical story, the author incorporates some humour and also explains how humans kill innocent
creatures or animals just to show their supremacy and desires to fulfil their whims and fancies. Humans bring
atrocities on animals from their illogical beliefs and fears just like the maharaja in this story. Afraid from the
prediction that a tiger shall kill him, he vowed to hunt 100 tigers. The poor animals reached the stage of extinction
but the raja did not stop. Ironically while he mercilessly slayed 100 tigers a wooden toy tiger caused his death by
causing a suppurative wound. Death remained inevitable although he lived his life only trying to defy the prophecy.
The innocent animals reached ill fate due to the rajahs illogical fear and belief that he could escape death by killing
100 tiger. To save his life and lead a satisfactory one, the Maharaja mercilessly drove the helpless animals to
extinction just to show his power and legacy and to prove the astrologer wrong. He wished to show his superiority as
a human being, strength over nature and his destiny and exercised his power to kill hundred luckless tigers.

3. How 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 fear when they obey him? Do we find a similarity in today’s political order?

Answer.

The Maharaja’s servants were remarkably subservient and loyal to his every command. Most of them were terrified
of the Maharaja and decided to keep him in good humour by following his orders. They did not dare resist him as his
anger could mean the loss of their jobs or even the loss of their lives. The astrologer was afraid of predicting his
death, but the Maharaja had asked him to talk without any fear. The Dewan, who was his close advisor, could not
stop him from killing tigers, fearing his anger, and he arranged the Maharaja’s marriage to a princess as per his
wishes. Since he was scared of losing his post, he even planted an old tiger to pacify the King’s anger and please him.
Likewise, the hunters chose not to notify him of the survival of the 100th tiger and instead killed it themselves,
fearing that they might lose their jobs. Finally, the shopkeeper, who sold the wooden tiger to the King, quoted a
higher price to avoid a penalty. So it is obvious that the king’s servants were driven by fear rather than by any feelings
of justice towards their king.

Yes, today’s political order is very similar to that of the Maharaja’s story. It means there’s no difference. Most people
these days occupy various positions of political power based individually on their influence and power.
4. CAN YOU RELATE INSTANCES OF GAME-HUNTING AMONG THE RICH AND THE POWERFUL IN THE PRESENT
TIMES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE CALLOUSNESS OF HUMAN BEINGS TOWARDS WILDLIFE?

ANSWER.

Even in the present time, one can see that game-hunting is as popular as it was in the past among rich and powerful
people across the world. India banned and condemned poaching, hunting, and selling animal body parts across the
country. But these laws are not executed properly, so hunters and poachers hunt illegally, and trade animal parts
across the border to get crores of cash. As a consequence, many species have become extinct, and others are
endangered. Strict penalties and punishment must be set on the offenders of the laws passed to preserve wildlife.
We must join hands to protect those animals and also should spread awareness of crimes inflicted on helpless
animals.

WE NEED A NEW SYSTEM FOR THE AGE OF ECOLOGY—A SYSTEM THAT IS EMBEDDED IN THE CARE OF ALL PEOPLE
AND ALSO IN THE CARE OF THE EARTH AND ALL LIFE UPON IT. DISCUSS.

Ans. India and the rest of the world have taken many such steps in the last decade which are helpful in conserving
wildlife. A campaign “Save Our Tigers” was initiated and the campaign soon reached over 100 million people
worldwide and generated INR 95 million in funding for tiger conservation. Support has poured in from all corners –
the Chief Ministers of various states and celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have
appeared on television to voice their support for the campaign. Lakhs of children have participated in rallies, calling
for the protection of India’s national animal. The Save Our Tigers campaign has been an unprecedented success,
bringing tiger conservation to the forefront of India’s consciousness. The good news is we’ve also seen what’s
working. WWF (World Wildlife Fund) has been part of successful wildlife recovery stories ranging from southern
Africa’s black rhino to black bucks in the Himalayas. And this, in turn, is helping to protect rich and varied ecosystems
while ensuring people continue to benefit from nature. People engaged in protecting animals and environments have
been working for them for a long time and their work is commendable.

No. 1) ‘Even the threat of a Stuka bomber will not throw me off track.’ This sentence shows that the author has
a/an

a. firm resolve to narrate the story.

b. humorous way of conveying an idea.
c. logical style of convincing the reader.
d. rhetorical manner of writing a story.
Ans. Option (b)

Q. No. 2) Read the extract and answer the questions given below:

In other words, the Tiger King is dead.

The manner of his death is a matter of extraordinary interest. It can be revealed only at the end of the tale. The
most fantastic aspect of his demise was that as soon as he was born, astrologers had foretold that one day the
Tiger King would actually have to die.

“The child will grow up to become the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions. But...” They bit
their lips and swallowed hard. When compelled to continue, the astrologers came out with it. “This is a secret that
should not be revealed at all. And yet we are forced to speak out. The child born under this star will one day have
to meet its death.”

(The Tiger King)

i. Complete the sentence appropriately.

The author’s purpose in using foreshadowing is to _____. ( * to show or act as a sign that something will happen in
future)

Ans. create a sense of approaching doom.

Or, use it as a tool to heighten the reader's curiosity and interest in the story.
ii. In the given extract, what emotion were the astrologers feeling when they "bit their lips and swallowed hard"?

a. Humiliation

b. Disbelief

c. Grief

d. Unease

Ans. Option (d)

[The use of this physical gesture indicates a sense of discomfort or unease and implies that the astrologers were
reluctant to reveal the prophecy. Humiliation or grief would be more strongly expressed in the text if they were the
emotions being conveyed. Disbelief is also not the correct answer, as there is no indication that the astrologers
doubted their prediction.]

iii. Which trait are the astrologers lauding when they say "warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of
champions"?

Ans. bravery/heroism/leadership

[The astrologers are predicting that the child born under this star will be a great warrior and a champion, implying
that the child will display exceptional courage and bravery in battle or in other challenges. This also suggests that the
child will be a leader and will inspire others with their bravery and heroism. The use of these superlative phrases
further emphasizes the astrologers' admiration for this trait and the importance they place on it in predicting the
child's future.]

iv. How is the line, "the most fantastic aspect of his demise", an example of contrast?

Ans. This is so because the word "fantastic" is usually associated with something positive or exciting, while the word
"demise" suggests something negative or tragic.

[In this context, the use of "fantastic" to describe the Tiger King's death creates a contrast between the positive
connotation of the word and the negative reality of the situation]

Q. No. 3) Read the extract and answer the questions given below:

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 realize 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. The tone of the author when he says, ‘it was celebration time for all tigers’ is

a. solemn.

b. sarcastic.

c. sympathetic.

d. mocking.

Ans. Option (b)

ii. Pick the pair of TRUE statements based on the extract.

1. Tiger hunting was absolutely banned in the kingdom.

2. The Maharaja was extremely courageous and fearless.
 3. The Maharaja paid no heed to matters related to his kingdom.
4. The Maharaja was able to fulfill his ambition, without any perils.
Options

a. 1 and 2

b. 2 and 4

c. 2 and 3

d. 1 and 4

Ans. Option (c)

iii. In which of the following options can the underlined words NOT be replaced with ‘proclamation’?

a. The politician shared his manifesto during the election meeting.

b. All the citizens of the kingdom had to abide by the emperor’s edict.

c. The communique made by the official had a disastrous effect.

d. The decree of the state forbade cruelty against animals.

Ans. Option (c)

iv. On the basis of this passage, pick the option that enumerates the characteristics of the king.

1. gullible

2. arrogant

3. wilful

4. aggressive

5. apathetic

6. scrupulous

Options

a. 1, 2 and 6

b. 3, 4 and 6

c. 3, 5 and 6

d. 2, 3 and 5

Ans. Option (d)

Q. No. 4) ‘The Maharaja’s anxiety reached a fever pitch…’ Which of these sentences DOES NOT use the phrase
‘reached a fever pitch’ correctly?

a. When the bidding reached a fever pitch, one of the team’s absences was notable.

b. The excitement of the audience reached a fever pitch when they saw the star perform.

c. The scenic beauty of the place reached a fever pitch when it began to snow.

d. The climax of the film reached a fever pitch when the protagonist was assassinated.

Ans. Option (c)

Q. No. 5) Read the extract and answer the questions given below:
At midnight when the town slept in peace, the dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger into 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.

On the following day, the same old tiger wandered into the Maharaja’s presence and stood as if in humble
supplication, “Master, what do you command of me?” It was with boundless joy that the Maharaja took careful
aim at the beast. The tiger fell in a crumpled heap.

i. Pick the option that uses the same figure of speech as ‘town slept in peace’. [ PERSONIFICATION]

a. His actions really flared up my temper, so I walked out.

b. She is going through a rollercoaster of emotions.

c. My alarm clock yells at me every morning until I get out of bed.

d. The children were screaming and shouting in the fields.

Ans. Option (c)

ii. Pick the option that best describes the dewan’s attitude.

1. desperate

2. submissive

3. servile

4. dishonorable

5. detestable

6. flattering

Options

a. 2, 3 and 6

b. 1, 4 and 5

c. 2, 4 and 6

d. 1, 3 and 5

Ans. Option (a)

iii. Which of the following is NOT an example of ‘satyagraha’?

a. People on a hunger strike as a mark of protest against a law.

b. People resort to violence to ensure their demands are accepted.

c. A few people block a roadway or passage peacefully.

d. People participating in a silent march to protest against injustice.

Ans. Option (b)

iv. Pick the option that lists the display of ‘crumpled heap’.
a. Option i

b. Option ii

c. Option iii

d. Option iv

Ans. Option (c)

Q. No. 6) 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. On the following day, the
same old tiger wandered into the Maharaja’s presence and stood as if in humble supplication, “Master, what do
you command of me?’’ It was with boundless joy that the Maharaja took careful aim at the beast. The tiger fell in a
crumpled heap.

i. According to the extract, how is the author's portrayal of the tiger different from real life?

Ans. The author shows the dewan dragging the tiger out of the car. He pushes it down like a harmless being which is
strikingly different from real life where tigers are dangerous / the author treats the tiger as if it is human and portrays
it to be submissive, which is entirely the opposite of its ferocious nature / the author suggests that the tiger is talking
which is impossible in real life.

ii. Which of these best describes the Maharaja and the Dewan, based on the extract?

a. Dewan: gullible; Maharaja: narcissistic

b. Dewan: conscientious; Maharaja: cruel

c. Dewan: submissive; Maharaja: perceptive

d. Dewan: unremarkable; Maharaja: unrealistic

Ans. Option (b)

iii. Which of these can be best used as a title for this extract?

a. The Big Cat

b. The Shrewd King

c. The Tiger's Legacy

d. The Perils of Kingship

Ans. Option (a)

iv. In one sentence, explain what the author means when he says that 'the tiger launched its satyagraha'.
Ans. When he says that 'the tiger launched its satyagraha', the author means that the tiger protested
non-violently/passively.

Q. No. 7) The story conveys the idea of the transience of life and power. Pick the pair of proverbs that DO NOT
relate to this idea.

1. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

2. There is many a slip between a cup and a lip.

3. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.

4. Don’t cross that bridge till you come to it.

Options

a. 1 and 4

b. 2 and 3

c. 2 and 4

d. 3 and 4

Ans. Option (b)

Q. No. 8) Pick the statement that is NOT an example of satire from the story.

a. The twist of fate when the toy tiger proved to be fatal for the king.

b. News of the king’s ailment got the attention of not one, but three surgeons.

c. King wilfully exploiting nature and subjects for his selfish interests.

d. The king celebrates his triumph but readers anticipate his doom.

Ans. Option (d)

Q. No. 9) The Maharaja justified his actions based on the maxim: ‘You may kill even a cow in self-defense,’ so there
would be no objection to killing tigers in self-defense.’ Do you think it is right to justify our actions in this way?
Elaborate.

Ans. The Maharaja's justification for killing tigers in self-defense based on the maxim "You may kill even a cow in self-
defense" and the astrologer's prediction raises ethical questions about the use of violence to protect oneself or
others. While it may be necessary to defend oneself or others in certain situations, it is important to consider the
context and consequences of such actions.

In the case of the Maharaja, his actions were motivated by fear and superstition rather than a rational assessment of
the threat posed by tigers. The astrologer's prediction that he would be killed by a tiger created a sense of fear and
urgency that led him to kill hundreds of tigers, even when they posed no immediate threat.

Instead of relying on violence to solve conflicts, it is important to explore non-violent approaches to conflict
resolution and coexistence between humans and wildlife. This may include measures such as habitat conservation,
education, awareness campaigns, and non-lethal methods of protecting livestock, such as fencing and guard animals.

Q. No. 10) ‘I shall cut my tuft ,crop my hair short and become an insurance agent'. Explain the context.

Ans.

 The astrologer had predicted that the hundredth tiger would be the cause of Maharaja's death .

 The Maharaja challenged the astrologer that what if he killed the hundredth tiger also.

 At this the astrologer promised to cut his hair, burn all his books and leave the profession.
Q. No. 11) Comment on any one aspect of the writing style of the author, Kalki in The Tiger King.

Ans. A satire on those in power – use of humor, exaggeration, and harmony to criticize

Conversational, narrative style.

Q. No. 12) Do you think an author who includes several instances of satire in a story faces the risk of being too
cynical? Explain.

Ans. Satire can be a great way for writers to poke fun at problems in society, like a funny mirror. But, if a writer uses
too much satire, it can feel like they're just complaining all the time. People might get tired of the negativity and not
pay attention to the problems the writer is trying to show. It's like yelling fire too many times – people might stop
listening.

Q. No. 13) How did the Tiger King’s Diwan prove to be resourceful?

Ans.

After the Tiger King killed 99 tigers, no more tigers were left. After some time there were indications of the
presence of a tiger in the hillside forests of a village. The king waited for days and nights with great
determination to kill the 100th tiger but the tiger could not be found. The king became furious day by day
expelling his officers, doubling up the land taxes and in the end threatening the dewan. The helpless dewan,
convinced that the king shall be ruthless, planted an old feeble tiger from peoples park, madras in the forest
with the help of his wife in midnight. This was the tiger that the maharaja killed believing it was the 100 th and
the final tiger. This way the dewan was quite resourceful in putting and end to the kings killing frenzy and
restoring order in the kingdom that had been living with the kings obsession for many years. He saved the
people from the kings reckless decisions.

Q. No. 14) The Tiger King's quest for tigers was full of hurdles and challenges. Justify the statement.

Ans.

 The Tiger King fought tigers with his bare hands.

 His refusing permission to a high-ranking British officer to hunt tigers in Pratibandhpuram or even be
photographed with a dead tiger put his kingdom at stake.

 Pacified the officer by sending some fifty expensive diamond rings to his wife for which he emptied the royal
treasury.

 The tiger population in Pratibandapuram had become extinct so he got married to the daughter of the
neighboring kingdom with the largest tiger population.

 The search for the 100th tiger proved difficult.

 Eventually, the Dewan had to procure an old tiger from the People’s Park.

 Even that tiger could not be killed. Instead, he fainted out of shock and had to be later killed by the officers of
the king.

Q. No. 15) Did the prophecy of the astrologer come true at the end of the story? How?

Ans. Yes, the king was killed by the hundredth tiger, as prophesied by the astrologer. The real hundredth tiger
escaped the bullet of the king, so the wooden tiger became the hundredth tiger and killed the king. A sliver from the
wooden tiger pierced into his arm, caused infection, and ultimately killed him.

Q. No. 16) 'Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.’ In light of this quote, examine how knowing
the future paved the way for the king’s end.

Ans. The quote "Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing" is quite relevant to the story of "The Tiger
King" by Kalki, as it is clear that the Maharaja's downfall was ultimately caused by his obsession with his own fate and
his attempts to control it.
The Maharaja's fate was first foretold by an astrologer, who told him that he would be killed by a tiger. This prediction
caused the Maharaja to become paranoid and obsessed with the idea of hunting and killing tigers, in order to prove
his own superiority and avoid his prophesied fate. He even went so far as to kill over 100 tigers, in an attempt to
show that he was invincible and could not be killed by a tiger.

However, the Maharaja's fate was ultimately sealed by his own actions. When he was playing with his son with the
wooden tiger, a sliver of wood got into his right hand and developed into a suppurating sore and finally became the
cause of his death. In a twist of fate he was killed by a wooden tiger who took the final revenge for the killing of 99
tiges by the king.

This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of becoming too obsessed with one's own fate and trying to
control the future. It suggests that sometimes it is better to simply accept what the future holds and live one's life to
the fullest, rather than becoming consumed by a desire for control and power.

Q. No. 17) Imagine you are an ardent environmentalist who is involved in the Save the Tiger campaign. You have
been asked to deliver a speech in a seminar related to your campaign and the need for the youth to be involved in
such campaigns. Draft your speech.

Ans. Ladies and gentlemen,

I stand before you today as an ardent environmentalist and a passionate supporter of the Save the Tiger campaign.
We are all aware of the alarming rate at which our natural habitats are being destroyed. Every day, countless animal
species are on the brink of extinction, and the tiger is no exception.

The tiger is not just a majestic creature; it is an essential component of our ecosystem. The loss of the tiger will have
far-reaching consequences, not just on the environment but also on the economy and the well-being of our
communities.

As young people, we have the power to make a difference. We have the energy, the passion, and the creativity to
effect change. We cannot afford to sit back and watch as our planet deteriorates. It is our responsibility to take action
and ensure that future generations inherit a healthy planet.

We must work to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our natural habitats. We must encourage our
governments to take concrete actions to protect our wildlife and their habitats. We must work to educate our
communities on the importance of conservation and sustainable living.

We must act now to save the tiger and other endangered species. Our future depends on it. Let us join hands in this
noble cause, and together we can make a difference.

Thank you.

Q. No. 18) You visited a wildlife sanctuary recently and were appalled at the condition of the sanctuary and the
plight of the animals there. Write an article for an e-zine expressing your concern and the need to alleviate the
facilities at the sanctuary and provide the animals with a secure habitat.

Ans. The Plight of Animals in Our Wildlife Sanctuaries

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a wildlife sanctuary in my area. I had high hopes of witnessing the animals in
their natural habitats and enjoying the beauty of nature. However, my visit left me appalled and deeply concerned
for the welfare of the animals in our sanctuaries.

The condition of the sanctuary was appalling, with inadequate facilities and limited space for the animals. Many of
them appeared malnourished, and their enclosures were poorly maintained. The sanctuary's staff seemed
overworked and understaffed, and they did not seem to have the resources or knowledge to provide proper care for
the animals.

It is disheartening to see such neglect of our wildlife. We must remember that these animals are an integral part of
our ecosystem and play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance. It is our responsibility to ensure that they
receive the necessary care and protection.
We must urge the authorities to invest in our sanctuaries, provide adequate funding, and hire trained professionals
to take care of the animals. Additionally, we need to raise awareness among the public about the importance of
wildlife conservation and the need to protect the animals and their habitats.

As responsible citizens, we have a duty to protect our natural heritage and the wildlife that inhabits it. We must work
towards providing secure habitats for the animals and ensure that they receive the care they deserve. Let us pledge
to take action and make a difference in the lives of these voiceless creatures.

Q. No. 19) The king was callous as a ruler and behaved whimsically. Thus, the people in his kingdom suffered while
he fulfilled his desire of killing a hundred tigers. Do you find leaders or politicians in the world today being
indifferent to the needs of the people and behaving in the same way? Comment with relevant examples.

Ans. Unfortunately, there are many leaders and politicians in the world today who behave in a callous and indifferent
manner toward the needs of their people. Instead of working towards the betterment of their citizens, they prioritize
their own selfish desires and personal agendas.

One relevant example is the government of North Korea, led by Kim Jong-un. The country faces extreme poverty and
malnourishment, yet the government continues to prioritize its nuclear weapons program over the welfare of its
people. The government's propaganda machine has brainwashed the citizens into believing that their leader is a god-
like figure who can do no wrong.

Another example is the Brazilian government, led by President Jair Bolsonaro. His policies have been criticized for
exacerbating deforestation and environmental destruction in the Amazon rainforest, which not only harms wildlife
but also threatens the livelihoods of indigenous communities. Despite widespread criticism, Bolsonaro has continued
to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.

In both of these examples, the leaders have shown callousness towards the needs of their people and the
environment. It is important for citizens to hold their leaders accountable and demand that they prioritize the
welfare of their people and the planet.

Q. No. 20) Both the general (The Enemy) and the Maharaja (The Tiger King), deal with death. They are powerful
figures confronted by a similar fate.

You wish to include both of these characters in an upcoming play. As a part of your research essay, compare and
contrast their experiences and their responses to these experiences in 120–150 words. [Clue: Include the
similarities and differences of their circumstances - their way of dealing with things - their ultimate fate]

Ans.

 Both of them face death, one owing to old age and disease while the other was destined to die at the hands
of the hundredth tiger he came across.

 The general, weak yet hopeful, turned to a doctor to cure him of his illness. Anticipating that he would die,
he went to the extent of keeping Sadao in the country instead of letting him go to the war front like others.
The king challenged death and decided to kill a hundred tigers to ensure his safety.

 In order to protect Sadao from possible arrest because this would leave him without a doctor, the general
offered his personal assassins to murder Tom. The king decided to marry a girl from a royal family whose
kingdom had a healthy tiger population. Thus, both of them took extreme measures for their safety, albeit
differently.

 The king was careless and so self-absorbed that he did not kill the 100th tiger properly, which eventually led
him to be killed by a toy tiger instead. The general behaved similarly because he was so preoccupied with his
illness that he forgot to send the assassins.

 However, this carelessness cost the king his life while the general recovered.