Class 12 English - GUJARAT
Supplementary: The Tiger King
Supplementary chapter 'The Tiger King' by Kalki is a satirical and humorous story mocking the pride, stubbornness, and blind destiny of powerful people. It revolves around the Maharaja of Pratibandrapur, who tries to defy a prophecy that a tiger will cause his death by killing one hundred tigers. For GSEB Class 12 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing your understanding of irony, satire, and narrative techniques. Questions frequently focus on character analysis of the Tiger King, the British officer episode, and the ironic twist at the end involving a wooden tiger.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Astrologer's Prophecy
At the Maharaja's birth, chief astrologers predict he will grow up to be a warrior of warriors but must eventually meet his death through a tiger.
The Tiger Hunting Spree
To disprove the prophecy, the Maharaja bans tiger hunting in his state for everyone except himself and embarks on a massive killing spree, aiming to kill 100 tigers.
The British Officer Episode
A high-ranking British officer wants to hunt a tiger in Pratibandrapur and be photographed with it. When the Maharaja refuses, he risks losing his kingdom and has to appease the officer with expensive diamond rings.
The Marriage Strategy
When the tiger population in his own state depletes to zero, the Maharaja marries a princess from a state with a large tiger population to continue his hunt.
The Ironic Death
Having supposedly killed the hundredth tiger, the Maharaja celebrates by buying a poorly made wooden tiger for his son, a splinter from which causes an infection and leads to his death.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 12 English board exam, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include short answer questions (2-3 marks) based on the plot events, and long descriptive questions (4 marks) focusing on the theme of satire, the Maharaja's character, or the ironic ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Maharaja known as the Tiger King?
He was known as the Tiger King because tigers dominated his life and his death. He vowed to kill a hundred tigers and spent his entire life hunting them down.
How did the hundredth tiger actually die?
The hundredth tiger was not killed by the Maharaja; it only fainted from the shock of the bullet whizzing past it. The hunters later killed it themselves so the king wouldn't find out he missed.
What is the message or moral of the story?
The story highlights how powerful people misuse nature and animals to satisfy their ego. It also proves that destiny cannot be cheated, no matter how much power or wealth one possesses.
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