Class 12 English - PUNJAB
Supplementary: The Tiger King
Supplementary: The Tiger King by Kalki is a satirical story mocking the conceit and stubbornness of those in power. It revolves around the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Jung Bahadur, who tries to defy his death predicted by astrologers. To prove the astrologers wrong, he goes on a massive tiger-killing spree, managing to kill ninety-nine tigers, but meets his ironic end through a wooden toy tiger. For Punjab (PSEB) Class 12 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, character analysis, and understanding the author's satirical tone.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Astrologer's Prophecy
At the Tiger King's birth, astrologers predict that his death will come from a tiger, specifically the hundredth tiger, setting the central plot in motion.
State-Imposed Tiger Hunt Ban
To fulfill his mission, the Maharaja bans tiger hunting in his state for everyone except himself, displaying the arbitrary misuse of royal power.
The Elusive Hundredth Tiger
When the Maharaja cannot find the hundredth tiger in his own forests, he marries a princess from a state with a rich tiger population and doubles land taxes out of frustration.
Irony of the Wooden Tiger
Despite killing a weak old sheep disguised as the hundredth tiger by his panicked officers, the King is ultimately killed by an infection from a splinter on a poorly carved wooden toy tiger.
Satire on Political Power
The story serves as a sharp critique of British imperialism and the absurd whims of Indian princely rulers who prioritized personal ego over the welfare of their subjects.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Punjab (PSEB) Class 12 English board exams, supplementary reader chapters like 'The Tiger King' typically carry short-answer questions (2-3 marks) and long-answer questions (5 marks) focusing on character sketches, theme analysis, and the ironic ending of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Maharaja known as the Tiger King?
He was known as the Tiger King because tigers formed the central obsession of his life as he killed ninety-nine tigers to defy a prophecy about his death.
How did the Tiger King finally meet his death?
He died from an infection caused by a sliver of wood from a poorly carved wooden toy tiger that he had bought as a birthday gift for his son.
What is the message or moral of the story?
The story highlights that no one can escape destiny or cheat death, and it satirizes the cruelty and vanity of people in high positions.
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