The Tiger King

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1. Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?

Ans. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was called the Tiger King. When astrologers declared that the prince would have to die one day, the ten-day-old prince asked to reveal the manner of his death. The chief astrologer said that his death would come from a tiger. So, he decided to kill tigers and thus, got the name ‘Tiger King’.

2. What did the royal infant grow up to be?

Or Why was the Maharaja determined with tiger killing?

Ans. The royal infant grew up to be the king of Pratibandapuram who was obsessed with the idea of killing one hundred tigers because he wanted to make the prediction of astrologer false that he would be killed by 100th tiger. Therefore, he killed all the tiger of Pratibandapuram.

3. What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?

Ans. To get the required number of tigers to kill, the Maharaja asked his dewan to find a suitable girl for him to marry. A suitable girl for matrimonial alliance would be one who would not only come from a royal family but also belong to a state with a large tiger population.

4. How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?

Ans. The Maharaja wanted to be extremely careful because it was supposed to be the reason for his death. On encountering the hundredth one, he took a careful aim at the tiger and shot it. When it fell in a crumpled heap, he was overcome with joy and left the place hastily.

5. What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably disproved?

Ans. No harm will be done to the astrologer because the king could not kill the hundredth tiger, since it fainted in fear with the aim of the bullet.

The prophecy cannot to be indisputably disproved as the king was ultimately killed by a tiger, though neither by a real one.

Additional 2 marks question

1. Who is the hero of the story ‘The Tiger King’? How may he be identified?

Ans. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram is the hero of this story. He may be identified as His Highness Jamedar-General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, Maharajadhiraja Visva Bhuvana Samrat, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K. This name is often shortened to the Tiger King.

2. Which matter about the Tiger King is of extraordinary interest?

Ans. The manner of the death of the Tiger King is of extraordinary interest. 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.

3. What was the great miracle that took place? What was its result?

Ans. The astrologers said the child born under that particular star would one day have to meet its death. At that very moment a great miracle took place. An astonishing phrase emerged from the lips of the ten-day-old boy, “O wise prophets!” Everyone stood motionless with astonishment.

4. What did the infant born just ten days ago tell the wise astrologers?

Ans. The infant said that all those who are born will one day have to die. So, he did not need their predictions to know that. He further said that there would be some sense in it if they could tell him the manner of his death.

5. Why did the Maharaja order the dewan to double the land tax?

Ans. Maharaja went out on an expedition to find the hundredth tiger. The tiger could not be found. That is why in anger he ordered the dewan to double the land tax.

6. How did the chief astrologer react to the infant prince’s observation?

Ans. The chief astrologer was surprised. He placed his finger on his nose in wonder. It was incredible that the ten-day-old infant raised intelligent questions. He said that the prince was born in the hour of the Bull. The Bull and the Tiger are enemies. Therefore, death comes from the Tiger.

7. How did the crown prince Jung Jung Bahadur grow up?

Ans. The prince grew taller and stronger day by day. The boy drank the milk of an English cow. He was brought up by an English nanny and tutored in English by an Englishman. He saw nothing but English films.

8. Why did the Maharaja ban tiger hunting in the state?

Ans. Maharaja banned the tiger hunting in the state. He had to kill one hundred tigers to prove the predictions of state astrologer wrong. If every person hunts, there will lack of tigers.

9. Why, do you think, did the Maharaja send for the State astrologer?

Ans. The Maharaja was excited beyond measure when he killed his first tiger. He felt proud of his feat. He wanted to show the dead beast to the State astrologer. So, he sent for him and wanted to know what he said then.

10. How did the Maharaja devote himself to realise his ambition? How far did he succeed?

Ans. The Maharaja pursued his ambition with single minded devotion. He vowed that he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundredth tiger. He faced many dangers to his life from tigers in achieving his mission. Sometimes he had to fight a tiger with his bare hands. But each time the Maharaja wins.

11.Why, do you think, was the Maharaja in danger of losing his throne?

Ans. The Maharaja had annoyed a high-ranking British officer by refusing him permission to hunt tigers and to take photograph of himself holding the gun and standing over the tiger’s carcass. Thus, the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his throne because he prevented a British officer from fulfilling his desire.

12. What sort of hunts did the Maharaja offer to organise for the high-ranking British officer? What trait of the persons in high position does it reveal?

Ans. The Maharaja offered to organise any other hunt in place of the tiger hunt for the high- ranking British officer. He might go on a boar-hunt. A mouse-hunt might be conducted. They were ready even for a’ mosquito-hunt. This shows the vanity and love of idle pursuits and frivolous pastimes by the persons in high position.

13.Comment on the ‘rings episode’ in the story ‘The Tiger King’.

Ans. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram ordered a famous British company of jewellers in Calcutta to send samples of expensive diamond rings of different designs. Some fifty rings arrived. The Maharaja sent the whole lot to the British officer’s good lady. He expected her to choose one or two rings and send the rest back. But she simply sent a letter of thanks.

14. How did the dewan behave when the Maharaja summoned him and brandished his gun?

Ans. The dewan shuddered at the sight of the gun. He cried out, “Your Majesty! I am not a tiger!”. The dewan then declared that he was not a gun. Addressing him as ‘Dewan Saheb’ the King assured him that he was neither tiger nor gun. He was summoned there for a different purpose.

15. How did the dewan react to the Maharaja’s declaration. “I have decided to get married”?

Ans. The reaction of the dewan is quite funny and amusing. He thinks that the Maharaja wants to marry him. The Maharaja clarifies that he does not want to marry him. He wants a tiger. He added that a Tiger King was more than enough for that state. It did not need a Tiger Queen as well.

16. How did the Maharaja succeed in raising his tiger tally to ninety-nine?

Ans. The Maharaja married a girl from a state which possessed a large number of tigers. Each time he visited his father-in-law, he killed five or six tigers. In this manner he raised the tally of tigers killed by him from seventy to ninety-nine.

17.Why was the Maharaja so anxious to kill the hundredth tiger?

Ans. The Maharaja had killed ninety-nine tigers. If he could kill just one more tiger, he would have no fear left. Then he could give up tiger hunting altogether. He thought of the tiger during the day and dreamt of it at night. Moreover, he had to be extremely careful with that last tiger. The late chifef astrologer had already warned him.

18.Why was the Maharaja sunk in gloom? Was he able to overpower it? How /How not?

Ans. Only one tiger remained to be killed by the Maharaja, but it seemed impossible to locate a tiger. So, the Maharaja was sunk in gloom.

2014

1. What did the chief astrologer predict about the Tiger King?                                 2

Ans: The chief astrologer predicted that the baby was born in the hour of the Bull. The Bull and the tiger were enemies. Therefore, death comes from a tiger. He also predicted that the king may kill ninety-nine tigers but he should be careful with the hundredth one.

2015

1. How did the Tiger King celebrate the killing of the hundredth tiger?                   2

Ans: The Maharaja thought that he had killed the hundredth tiger. He was overcome with elation. He ordered the tiger to be brought to the capital in grand procession. The dead tiger was taken in a procession through the town. It was buried and a tomb was erected over it.

2016

1. What explanation was given by the chief astrologer to the query of the little Tiger King?                                                            2

Ans: Same with 2014 answer.

2017

1. What did the chief astrologer predict about the Tiger King?

Ans: Same with 2014 answer.

(2018 Not included)

2019

1. What did the Maharaja decide to do when he remembered the astrologer’s prediction?

Ans: The chief astrologer had predicted that a tiger would cause the Maharaja's death and that he should be particularly wary of the hundredth tiger. So, the Maharaja set out on a tiger hunt and was rather anxious to kill the hundredth tiger who could be the cause of his death.

2020

1. How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge on the tiger king?

Ans: The Maharaja bought a wooden tiger which was made by an unskilled carpenter. One of its tiny slivers pierced into the right hand of the king. Infection flared and a suppurating sore all over the arm. The king was operated but he died. Thus, the hundredth tiger of wood took its revenge upon the Tiger King.

2022

1. What did astrologers foretell when Tiger King was born?

Ans: 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.

2023

1. Why does the Tiger King get his name?

Ans: Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur is known as the Tiger King. Ten days after his birth, astrologer predicted that his “death comes from the Tiger.” So, he went on a tiger killing spree. He killed seventy tigers within ten years. He was so caught up with reaching his target of killing one hundred tigers, to disprove the prophecy and also killed 99 tigers. This was how he got to be known as the Tiger King.

2024

1. Is the Tiger King a satire?

Ans: The story satirizes the corrupting influence of power. Just because the Tiger King had power, he felt he could beat his subjects and even defeat fate. He neglected his responsibility as a ruler. He neglected the welfare of his subjects, his family, increased and reduced taxes at will and sacked his officers. They feared him or else he would have learnt the truth.

2. How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge upon the Tiger King?

Ans: Already answered. (2020 year)

Broad Notes from Previous Question Paper

1. Draw a character sketch of the Tiger King in your own words.                              2014/2024

Ans:  The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, had so many titles but it was often shortened to the Tiger King. The royal infant was born in the hour of the Bull. He would have to meet his death one day. This is what the chief astrologer predicted about him. A great miracle took place. The royal infant often days spoke and he wanted to know about the manner of his death.

Crown prince Jung Jung Bahadur grew taller and stronger day by day. The boy drank the milk of an English cow, brought up by an English nanny, tutored in English by an Englishman and saw nothing but English films.  When he grew to twenty, he took the reign in his hands.

The Maharaja was a man of determination. He continued his campaign of tiger-hunting. Within ten years he was able to kill seventy tigers. When tigers became extinct in his kingdom, he married a girl of a state which had a large tiger population. He would kill five or six tigers every time he visited his father-in-law. So, he was able to kill ninety-nine tigers in all.

The Tiger King was a man of self-respect. He could pay any price to maintain it. He refused permission to the high-ranking British officer to hunt tigers in his state. He had to give a bribe worth three lakh rupees to retain his kingdom.

It is ironical that the King who killed 99 tigers met his death by a wooden tiger. At, last, the hundredth tiger took revenge upon him.

2. Describe the ironical ending of the story, “The Tiger King”.                                   2023

Ans: "The Tiger King" features an ironic ending. The story follows the life of Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, known as the "Tiger King," who becomes obsessed with hunting tigers to prove his bravery and assert his dominance. Despite the danger and warnings from his ministers, the Tiger King continues to hunt tigers, eventually leading to a tragic end.

However, the irony of the story lies in the fact that when he bought a wooden tiger to surprise his son in his birthday. When the King was playing with his son, a quill of the wooden tiger pierced in his hand and infection fared which developed into a suppurating sore.

 The surgeons after the operation announced “The operation is successful but the King is dead”.

This is the ironical ending which highlights the consequences of unchecked ambition and the futility of power. The Tiger King's downfall serves as a warning against the dangers of disregarding nature and pursuing power at the expense of others.

2025

How did the Tiger King meet his end?

Ans: The Tiger King met his end through the wooden tiger, he had bought as a gift for his son’s birthday. Its surface was rough. While he was playing with it, one sliver pierced the Maharaja’s right hand. The infection turned into a sore, which spread all over his arm. Although operated by surgeons, the king’s life could not be saved and thus met his end.


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