Class 12 English - CBSE
Supplementary: The Tiger King
Supplementary: The Tiger King by Kalki is a satirical story that mocks the ego, power, and hubris of those in authority. It follows the life of Jung Jung Bahadur, the Maharaja of Pratibandrapur, who is destined to die by a tiger. To prove astrologers wrong, he embarks on a mass killing spree of tigers. The chapter highlights the irony of fate, animal cruelty, and environmental imbalance, teaching students that destiny cannot be cheated. For CBSE board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension of irony, satire, and character analysis.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Satire and Irony
The story uses heavy satire to ridicule the British culture and the blind obedience of courtiers, culminating in the supreme irony of the Maharaja's death caused by a wooden toy tiger.
Prophecy and Destiny
The central plot revolves around an astrologer's prediction that the Tiger King's death would come from a tiger, driving the king's obsessive quest to kill a hundred tigers.
Environmental Impact
The Maharaja's obsession leads to the near-extinction of tigers in his state and neighboring regions, serving as a subtle commentary on wildlife depletion.
Flattery and Sycophancy
The courtiers and British officers surrounding the Maharaja are portrayed as opportunistic sycophants who care only about keeping their jobs rather than telling the truth.
The Wooden Tiger
A poorly carved wooden tiger bought as a birthday gift for his son becomes the instrument of his death through an infection caused by a silver splinter.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In CBSE Class 12 English Board Exams, this chapter frequently appears in the Supplementary Reader (Vistas) section. It typically carries 2 to 6 marks, featuring short answer questions or long answer/value-based questions focusing on the theme of irony, the ending, or character traits of the Maharaja.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Tiger King actually die?
The Tiger King died from an infection caused by a sliver of wood that pierced his hand while he was playing with a poorly made wooden toy tiger.
What is the central theme of 'The Tiger King'?
The central theme is the foolishness of human beings in trying to overcome destiny and the ruthless exploitation of nature and wildlife for personal vanity.
Why did the Maharaja ban tiger hunting in his state for everyone else?
He banned tiger hunting for everyone else so that he could fulfill his personal vow and obsession of killing a hundred tigers to disprove the astrologer's prophecy.
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