Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 2 – The Tiger King (Kalki) Long question answers

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Vistas

Chapter 2 – The Tiger King

(Kalki)

Long question answers

Q1. What do you learn about princes and kings of native Indian states during the British rule from the story ‘The Tiger King’?

Ans. The story ‘The Tiger King’ presents a fair glimpse of the young princes and the Maharajas of native Indian states. Their long names with descriptive titles and decorative honours was more a rule than an exception. They considered recognition from the British government and its officers a favour. They aped the Britishers in upbringing, education, manners and behaviour. The Maharajas were autocrats and their words were the law. They could be benevolent as well as stubborn. Their minions as well as ministers feared and respected them. Sometimes their whims proved quite costly to the state coffer. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram spends three lakh of rupees on gift of diamond rings to retain his kingdom. Marriages with princesses of other states are based on considerations other than love or virtues of the girl. In short, the Princes and Maharajas are portrayed as whimsical, stubborn and excitable persons proud of their virtues and valour.

Q2. What did the astrologers predict about the infant prince ? What was the miracle that baffled them. ? What did the chief astrologer enlighten the prince about and how ?

Ans. The moment the prince entered the world, astrologers foretold an inevitable demise for the Tiger King, owing to the influence of the particular star governing his birth. An extraordinary event followed swiftly thereafter. From the mouth of the ten-day-old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur came a startling utterance: "O wise prophets!" This statement left everyone frozen in astonishment and bewilderment. The infant conveyed that all beings must ultimately face mortality, rendering their predictions unnecessary. Yet, he sought clarity on the manner of that eventual demise.

The astrologers found themselves confounded by the unexpected articulation of a mere ten-day-old infant, not only speaking but also posing astute queries. It was a remarkable occurrence. The head astrologer focused his gaze on the young prince, citing that the prince was born during the hour of the Bull. Given the enmity between the Bull and the Tiger, the prediction implied that death would be brought about by the Tiger.

Q3. How did the Maharaja try to disprove the prediction of the chief astrologer? What did the state astrologer assert when the Maharaja summoned him to show his first kill?

Ans. Following the astrologers' prophecy of death by a tiger, the Maharaja took decisive action to protect himself by embarking on a tiger-hunting campaign. The forests of Pratibandapuram state housed an ample population of tigers. The Maharaja's elation knew no bounds when he successfully hunted down his initial tiger. Summoning the state astrologer, he presented the slain beast for inspection.

Seeking clarification, the Maharaja inquired about the implications of his actions. The astrologer cautioned that while the Maharaja might eliminate ninety-nine tigers using the same approach, extreme caution was essential when dealing with the hundredth tiger. Intrigued, the Maharaja probed further, questioning the astrologer about the outcome if the hundredth tiger met the same fate.

In response, the state astrologer conveyed that should the hundredth tiger also be slain, he would renounce his practice of astrology entirely, destroying all his astrological books by setting them ablaze. Additionally, he declared intentions to discard his tuft, trim his hair short, and transition into the profession of an insurance agent.

Q4. What problems did the Maharaja face in pursuit of his mission ? How did he resolve them ?

Ans. The Maharaja embarked on his singular mission of slaying one hundred tigers with unwavering dedication, channeling all his energy and focus into this pursuit. He pledged that only after achieving this goal would he attend to any other matters. Initially, the king appeared resolute in realizing his ambition. However, obstacles and challenges soon arose. Instances occurred where his shots missed their target, and he found himself in peril as the tiger pounced on him, forcing him to confront the wild beast using only his bare hands. Fortunately, owing to his indomitable courage, the Maharaja emerged victorious each time.

At one juncture, he faced the jeopardy of losing his throne due to his refusal to allow a high-ranking British officer to hunt a tiger in the Pratibandapuram forest. Rejecting the officer's request to be photographed with a gun beside a tiger slain by the Maharaja, the king had to relinquish a valuable gift to assuage the officer's wounded pride and safeguard his kingdom.

Q5. How does the author satirise the hunting instincts of the persons in authority ?

Ans. The narrative illustrates the societal perception of big game hunting as a royal pursuit. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram took this fervor to an extreme by prohibiting tiger hunting in his realm for all but himself. His obsession with hunting tigers consumed his thoughts during the day and filled his dreams at night. All state affairs were postponed as he dedicated himself solely to this pursuit, transforming what was once a pastime into the sole purpose of his existence. His marriage was even influenced by his passion for tigers; he selected a princess from a kingdom abundant in tigers and was willing to undertake any risks for the sake of the hunt.

British officers, too, developed a penchant for this aristocratic activity, perhaps regarding it as a symbol of status. Their interest lay in publicizing their hunts, desiring photographs posing with a firearm alongside the slain tiger. Notably, various other hunts were prevalent, encompassing boar, mouse, and mosquito hunts, each differing in risk and resistance from their targets. This descending order of peril leads to a sense of amusement at the whims and eccentricities of these hunters. Consequently, the story sheds light on the inclination of individuals in positions of power towards the pursuit of hunting wild animals.

Q6. What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?
Ans. In a span of ten years, the Maharaja successfully hunted down seventy tigers, eventually leading to the extinction of the tiger population within the forests of Pratibandapuram. On one occasion, the Maharaja summoned the dewan and inquired if he was aware of the remaining thirty tigers awaiting his gun. The dewan visibly trembled with apprehension. However, the Maharaja revealed that he had made the decision to marry and instructed the dewan to compile data on tiger populations across various native states. The directive was to explore the possibility of finding a suitable bride within a royal family from a state boasting a significant tiger population. This plan was set in motion, and the dewan identified a suitable girl from a state abundant in tigers. Each time the Maharaja visited his father-in-law, he successfully hunted down five or six tigers, fulfilling the requisite count. Eventually, he shot down a total of ninety-nine tigers.

Q7. How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?
Ans. The Maharaja's agitation escalated to the pinnacle of anticipation as only a solitary tiger remained to be hunted. Thoughts of this hundredth tiger consumed his days and invaded his nightly dreams. However, even in his father-in-law's domain, the tiger population had dwindled, rendering the search for tigers futile. The Maharaja's quest to slay this final beast became an unattainable pursuit as tigers seemingly vanished altogether. The prospect of eliminating this last tiger became crucial, as per the cautionary words of the deceased chief astrologer, warning the Maharaja to beware of the hundredth tiger. This realization plunged the Maharaja into a state of despondency.

 

A glimmer of hope emerged when reports surfaced of frequent sheep disappearances from a village situated on a hillside within the Maharaja's own realm, indicating the presence of a tiger. Hastily informed by the villagers, the Maharaja swiftly declared a three-year tax exemption for the affected village and embarked on the hunt immediately. Yet, the elusive tiger proved difficult to trace, compelling the Maharaja to camp in the forest and await the tiger's appearance.

Q8. What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably disproved?
Ans. I To safeguard himself, the dewan arranged for an aged tiger to be transported from the People's Park in Madras, keeping it concealed within his residence. Under the veil of midnight, aided by his elderly wife, he maneuvered the tiger into a car and situated it on the seat. Taking charge of the vehicle himself, he drove directly to the forest where the Maharaja was engaged in his hunt. There, the dewan offloaded the beast from the car and thrust it to the ground. The following day, the same elderly tiger found its way into the presence of the Maharaja. Delighted, the Maharaja carefully aimed at the creature, causing it to collapse into a crumpled heap. The Maharaja exulted, believing he had successfully slain the hundredth tiger.

Subsequently, the hunting party discovered that the old tiger had not perished but had merely lost consciousness upon hearing the gunshot. Fearing repercussions and job loss if the Maharaja learned the truth, one of the hunters swiftly terminated the tiger's life with another shot. The deceased tiger was paraded through the town in procession and laid to rest, a tomb erected as a commemoration.

The prophecy remained unchallenged as the king met his demise due to an infection from a splinter of a wooden tiger. The astrologer, having passed away, escaped both punishment and recognition for his prophecy.

Q9. 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?
Ans. At its surface, ‘The Tiger King’ appears to be a straightforward narrative chronicling the life and reign of a royal prince turned king. The inclusion of prophecies at his birth concerning the nature of his demise adds an intriguing layer of surprise and suspense to the tale.

However, delving deeper, the story unveils itself as a satirical commentary on the arrogance inherent in those wielding authority. It often manifests that individuals in positions of power harbor excessive self-importance. This narrative features two such archetypes—the Tiger King and the British officer. Employing dramatic irony and humor, the author highlights their flaws and vulnerabilities. The words uttered by these characters carry an underlying significance, unknowingly foretelling their fates. The Tiger King's obstinance leads him to pursue the hunting of a hundred tigers, aiming to refute the astrologer's prophecy, ultimately succumbing to a wooden tiger due to his inflexibility.

Similarly, the high-ranking British officer exhibits a comparable vanity. His interest lies more in capturing a photograph beside the tiger's carcass than in the hunt itself. When the Tiger King declines a tiger-hunting excursion, offering alternative pursuits such as boar, mouse, or mosquito hunts, the refusal costs him a substantial sum of three lakh rupees. Despite this, the British officer's ego finds satisfaction when his wife appreciates the diamond rings sent by the Maharaja.

Q10. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?
Ans. For ages, innocent animals have been at the mercy of human whims. Humans have hunted animals for pleasure, sustenance, or their body parts. The author refrains from directly addressing this in the story. Individuals often resort to peculiar reasoning to justify their unlawful and cruel deeds. The Maharaja, for instance, cites an ancient adage—"You may kill even a cow in self-defense"—to rationalize his lack of objection toward killing tigers in self-defense. This not only exposes human callousness toward wildlife but also highlights their disregard for maintaining ecological equilibrium.

The extinction of the tiger species in both the Pratibandapuram state and the domain ruled by the Maharaja’s father-in-law vividly illustrates the consequences of human cruelty toward wild animals. To fulfill the king's desire to hunt one hundred tigers, an aged tiger had to be procured from the People’s Park in Madras, showcasing the lengths to which humans go to satisfy their desires, despite the dire implications for wildlife.

Q11. 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?
Ans. A minion, within an organization, refers to an insignificant individual obliged to follow commands. The Maharaja possesses numerous minions or servants, most of whom harbor fear and demonstrate unwavering obedience toward him. They refrain from defying or contradicting his directives, as the Maharaja’s displeasure equates to potential job loss or even risking their lives. Only a handful among them genuinely hold sincere sentiments toward him. The chief astrologer stands out as one such individual, willing to renounce his astrological books, cut off his tuft, and trim his hair short if his prediction turns false. Others endeavor to maintain the Maharaja's favor, including the dewan.

However, many officers face dismissal when confronted with the Maharaja’s escalating fury and obstinacy. During the hunt for the hundredth tiger, the king's bullet fails to hit its target, causing the tiger to collapse from shock, appearing as a crumpled heap. While the hunters grasp the reality, they opt not to disclose the truth to the king, fearing potential job loss.

In contemporary political structures, subordinates often serve their superior bosses akin to mute observers, only perceiving what aligns with their masters' desires. Their self-interests and apprehension of elimination serve as driving forces, fostering their unwavering allegiance as faithful servants.

Q12. Give an account of the Maharaja’s impatience for the hundredth tiger and the actual encounter. What, do you think, caused the death of the Tiger King?
Ans. The Maharaja was determined to eliminate the hundredth tiger, believing it would rid him of all fears. However, the scarcity of tigers made their location impossible. When alerted by villagers about tiger activities near a hillside, he ventured into the forest and awaited its appearance. Curiously, the elusive tiger seemed to purposely evade the Maharaja’s pursuit.

To facilitate this hunt, the astute and experienced dewan arranged for an aged tiger from the People’s Park in Madras to be brought and released into the forest near the Maharaja’s encampment under cover of night. The following morning, this same tiger appeared before the Maharaja, exhibiting a docile demeanor. The Maharaja took precise aim at the creature, but in actuality, the bullet had missed its mark. The elderly tiger had merely fainted in reaction to the shock of the passing bullet.

Tragically, the Tiger King met his demise due to an infection caused by a minuscule splinter from a wooden tiger. The wound worsened, developing into a pus-filled sore. Although a surgical procedure was attempted on his arm, he ultimately succumbed. The author reflects that the hundredth tiger achieved its ultimate vengeance upon the Tiger King.

Q13.What devices does the author use to make the story ‘The Tiger King’ humorous and interesting?
Ans. The author employs an array of literary devices to infuse both humor and intrigue into the narrative. He instills elements of astonishment and amusement, initially by orchestrating the unlikely event of a ten-day-old infant articulating intelligent questions. While the astrologers' predictions suggest the inevitability of death, the Tiger King, characterized by unwavering bravery, repeatedly confronts the tiger, the agent of his foretold demise, emerging victorious on each occasion.

The portrayal of the education and upbringing of royal heirs in Indian states, along with their fascination for 'English,' evokes amusement. Additionally, the depiction of various hunts—ranging from tiger-hunts to seemingly comical pursuits like boar, mouse, and mosquito hunts—elicits laughter, revealing the pastimes of those in authority at the expense of innocent animals. The latter two hunts, in particular, appear whimsical and ludicrous.The Maharaja’s contemplation of marrying solely for the sake of a tiger adds an amusing element to the narrative. Furthermore, the contrasting behaviors of the high-ranking British officer and those of the Maharaja and his dewan at different junctures in the story serve as sources of laughter, sustaining the reader's engagement with the plot.