CHAPTER:2
The Tiger King Kalki
SUMMARY
The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram
is the hero of this story. As soon as he was born, the astrologers foretold
that one day he would actually have to die. They said he would grow up to be
the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions but one day he
would actually have to die. At the very moment a great miracle took place.
The ten day old boy addressed the astrologers and said that all those who
were born would one day have to die so he asked for the manner of his death.
The astrologers were surprised. The chief astrologer explained that the
prince was born under the hour of bull and the bull and the tiger were
enemies so his death would be from the tiger. This didn’t frighten the crown
prince instead he said, “Let tigers beware!”
His rearing up was like that of
the crown princes of other Indian states. He was brought up by an English
nanny, tutored in English by an Englishman, saw nothing but English films.
When he came of age, the state came into his hands and people started talking
about the astrologer’s prediction. The Maharaja also heard this and at once
set out on tiger hunts. He was thrilled beyond measure when he killed the
first tiger and at once sent for the chief astrologer.The astrologer said
that the king might kill 99 tigers in the same manner but he should be quite
careful of the hundredth. When the king said that if the hundredth tiger were
also killed, the astrologer was annoyed and said that he would leave his
profession and become an insurance agent.
From that day onwards, it was a
celebration time for the tigers of Pratibandapuram. A proclamation was made
to the effect that if anyone except Maharaja dared to throw even a stone at
the tiger all his property would be confiscated. There came several problems
in his way. Once, Maharaja was in danger of losing his throne. A high ranking
British officer visited Pratibandapuram. He was fond of tiger hunting and
fonder of getting photographed with the dead tiger. But the Maharaja didn’t
allow. The Durai sent a message that Maharaja could do the actual killing, he
only want to be photographed with the dead tiger. But Maharaja didn’t allow
even that. Finally, to save his kingdom he sent a sample of 50 expensive
diamond rings to Duraisani. She kept the whole lot and sent a thank you. The
bill was of three lac rupees but Maharaja saved his kingdom.
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In ten years Maharaja killed 70
tigers and the tiger population in Pratibandapuram became extinct. Maharaja
asked Diwan to draw up statistics of tiger population in the neighbouring
kingdoms and find a suitable girl for him. The girl was found and Maharaja
married the girl. He would kill five or six tigers whenever he visited his
father-in-law’s kingdom. In this way he killed 99 tigers but the last one was
nowhere to be found. Maharaja was depressed, but soon came the happy news.
Maharaja at once set out to kill the last tiger but it was not easily found.
In his fury Maharaja dismissed several people and asked Diwan to double the
land tax. When Diwan expressed his fear, Maharaja asked him to resign. Diwan
was convinced that if the tiger was not found, the results would be
catastrophic. He took the tiger brought from the People’s Park, Madras and
left it where Maharaja was camping. Next day the tiger reached before
Maharaja and he at once shot the tiger. But when the hunters went to have a
closer look at the tiger, they found that he was not dead. They were afraid
to inform the king about this so one of them took a careful aim and killed
the tiger. Later as instructed it was buried and a tomb was erected on it.
Now Maharaja was free to think
of other things. His son was turning
three and he wanted to give him a gift. He found a toy tiger and played with
his son. While playing, one of the slivers from its surface got into
Maharaja’s hands. It flared and turned into suppurating sore. Three surgeons
were called from Madras. They operated the king and said that the operation
was successful but the Maharaja was dead.
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Theme
The story conveys that the powerful people use their power
recklessly to flaunt instead od doing anything for the welfare of public.
Setting
The action of the story takes place in the state of
Pratibandhapuram.
Characters
1. The Tiger
King - He is the king of
Pratibandhapuram state. When he was born the astrologers predicted that he
would die because of a tiger. Therefore when he grew up, he went on killing
tigers.
2. Dewan - He is the Dewan of Pratibandhapuram
state. He arranges the Tiger King’s wedding and when the 100th tiger
is nowhere to be found, it is he who arranges the tiger.
3. Durai - He is a high-ranking British
officer who is fond of hunting tigers and fonder of getting photographed with
them.
4. Duraisani - She is the wife of the British officer.
When the Tiger king was in danger of losing his kingdom, he sent 50 expensive
diamond rings to Duraisani who kept all the rings and sent a thank you note.
5. Khader Mian
Saheb & Veerasami Naicker - Both of
them famous for their ability to swallow sheep whole.
Main
Points
1. The Maharaja
of Pratibandapuram is the hero of this story.
2. Everyone who
reads of him may have a desire to meet a man of such indomitable courage. But
there is no chance of its fulfillment as he has died.
3. As soon as he
was born, the astrologers foretold that the child will become warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions but one day, he would have to
meet his death.
4. Knowing this,
the ten day old boy asked the chief astrologer to tell the manner of his death.
5. The Chief
astrologer said that as the child was born under the hour of bull, the death
would be from the tiger.
6. But when the
crown prince came to know this, he said, “Let the tigers beware.”
7. The prince
Jung Jung Bahadur grew taller and stronger day by day.
8. The boy drank
the milk of an English cow, was brought up by an English nanny, tutored in English by an Englishman and saw nothing but English films.
9. When he came
of age at twenty, people started talking about the astrologer’s prophecy.
10. When it
reached Maharaja’s ears, he at once set out on a tiger hunt in the forests of Pratibandhapuram.
11. He was
thrilled beyond measure when he killed the first tiger. He at once sent for the
chief astrologer who said that the Maharaja could kill ninety nine tigers in
the same fashion but he must be careful of the hundredth tiger.
12. Afterwards, it
was a celebration time for the tigers of Pratibandhapuram.
13. The state
banned tiger hunting except by the king.
14. A proclamation
was issued to the effect that if anyone tried to throw even a stone at a tiger, all his property and wealth would be confiscated.
15. At another
time the Maharaja was in danger of losing his throne.
16. A high ranking
British officer who was fond of hunting tigers and fonder of getting photographed with them, wished to hunt tigers.
17. But the
Maharaja refused and so he stood in danger of losing his throne.
18. To save his
kingdom he sent samples of fifty expensive diamond rings to duraisani who sent a thank you note in return.
19. The bill was
three lakh rupees but the Maharaja was happy that he could retain his kingdom.
20. The Maharaja
killed seventy tigers in 10 years and then an unforeseen hurdle brought the mission to a stand still.
21. One day the
Maharaja asked the Dewan to find a suitable girl from the kingdom having lots of tiger population.
22. After the
marriage whenever the Maharaja visited his father-in-law, he killed 5 or 6
tigers each time.
23. In this
manner, he killed ninety nine tigers but the last one was difficult to be
found.
24. But soon he
got news that in his own state, a tiger was at work.
25. Maharaja
exempted the villagers from all the taxes for three years.
26. But when he
didn’t find the tigers, he asked the dewan to double the land taxes and even threatened him to resign from his post.
27. Frightened by
the Maharaja’s threat, the Dewan carried the tiger which was already at his house, to the forest.
28. Next morning,
the tiger moved into the Maharaja’s presence who shot it.
29. But the tiger
didn’t die. One of the hunters took a careful aim at the tiger and shot it
dead.
30. It was taken
to the capital in a procession and buried.
31. A few days
later the Maharaja’s sons third birthday was to be celebrated. He wanted to
give him some gift.
32. After
searching all the shops in his state, he found a toy tiger which cost only two
annas and a quarter.
33. The Maharaja
took that home and played with his son. While playing one of the slivers got into his hand.
34. The next day
infection flared into Maharaja’s right hand. Three famous surgeons were brought in from Madras. They operated the king and said, “The operation was successful. The Maharaja is dead.”
GLOSSARY
Pretending - Feigning, Affecting
Strategic - Tactic, Diplomatic
Retreat - Recede, Move back
Imperative - Essential, Vital
Indomitable - Invincible, Unconquerable
Demise - Death
Abode - Residence, Dwelling place
Transfixed - Hypnotized, Mesmerized
Stupefaction - Amazement, Astonishment
Enunciated - Pronounce, Articulate
Prediction - Prophecy, Foretelling
Squeaky - Shrill, Sharp
Beware - Be cautious, Watch out
Innumerable - Numerous, Countless
Rife - Widespread,
Rampant
Drawled - Prolonged, Lengthened
Proclamation - Announcement, Declaration
Fling - Throw, Hurl
Confiscate - Seize, Snatch
Incoherent - Inconsistent, Muddled
Boar - Pig
Carcass - Corpse, Dead body
Relented - Softened, Given in
Deleberation - Consideration, Consultation
Harakiri - Ritual suicide by Japanese
Brandish - Wave, Flourish
Hurdle - Hindrance, Obstruction
Shuddering - Trembling, Quivering
Babble - Gibber, Meaningless talk
Adorn - Decorate, Deck
Savage - Brute, Barbarian
Flout - Defy, Dismiss
Wantonly - Playfully, Idly
Dispel - Disperse, Dissipate
Rage - Anger, Ire
Discontented - Unhappy, Dissatisfied
Crumpled - Crushed, Rumpled
Slivers - Splinters,Shreds
Quills - Feather, Plume
Flared - Intensify suddenly
Suppurating - Festering, Pussy
Sore - Infection
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. What did the
astrologers predict about the child when he was born?
Ans: The
astrologers predicted that the child would grow up to become the warrior of
warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions. They also foretold that the
child born under that star will one day have to meet its death.
2. “Rather like
bulletins issued by the war office than, than facts.” Explain.
Ans: Just as bulletins issued from war office
contain more of rumours and gossips than facts, in the same way a ten day old
baby speaking and raising intelligent questions was difficult to believe.
3. What did the
astrologer say about the manner of the King’s death?
Ans: The
astrologer explained that the prince was born in the hour of the bull. The bull
and thetiger are enemies; therefore, death would be from the tiger.
4. What did the Maharaja do to realize his
ambition of killing hundred tigers?
Ans: The
State banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. A proclamation was
made to the effect that anyone defying this order would lose all his wealth and
property. The Maharaja vowed that he would attend to all other matters only
after killing hundred tigers.
5. Why did Maharaja stand in danger of
losing his throne?
Ans: One
day a high ranking british officer visited Pratibandapuram. He was fond of
hunting tigers and fonder of getting photographed with the dead tiger but
Maharaja refusedpermission. The officer said that Maharaja could do the
killing, he would only like to have a
photograph but Maharaja didn’t agree even to that.
6. How did Maharaja save his throne?
Ans: Maharaja
sent an order to a famous British company of jewellers in Calcutta to send
samples of expensive diamond rings of different designs. Some fifty rings
arrived which at once were sent to duraisani. Though the bill was of three lac
rupees but Maharaja was able to save his throne.
7. What did Maharaja
do to manage remaining thirty tigers?
Ans: Maharaja married a girl from the royal family of the state where
there were a large number of tigers. Every time he visited his father-in-law,
he killed five or six tigers.
8. How did Maharaja
get the hundredth tiger?
Ans: When Maharaja asked Dewan to resign from his post, he remembered
the tiger broughtfrom People’s Park, Madras and kept hidden at his home. He and
his wife took that tiger to the jungle and left it where Maharaja was camping.
9. “It seemed easier
to find tiger’s milk than a live tiger.” Explain.
Ans: Tiger’s milk which is something impossible seemed easier than
getting a live tiger as not a single tiger was to be seen anywhere. The tiger
population was extinct even in his father-in-law’s kingdom. The writer intends
irony here.
10. What did Maharaja gift the crown prince on his third birthday?
How much did it cost?
Ans: The Maharaja gifted a
wooden tiger to the crown prince on his third birthday. It cost three hundred
rupees.
11. What was the actual
cost of the wooden tiger? Why did the shopkeeper not quote the actual price?
Ans: The actual cost of
the wooden tiger was two annas and a quarter. The shopkeeper was afraid that if
he quoted the actual price, he would be punished under the rules of the
Emergency.
12. How was the tiger
king brought up? What is the satire involved in it?
Ans: The tiger king drank
the milk of an English cow, was brought up by an English nanny, tutored in
English by an Englishman, saw nothing but English films. The narrator has tried
to convey that the royal families of those times obsequiously imitated the
British ways in every matter.
LONG ANSWER TYPE
QUESTIONS
1. The story is a
satire on the conceit of those in power. Discuss. How does the author employ
the literary device of dramatic irony in power?
Ans: Satire is a literary device which brings out human follies and
weaknesses in a humorous manner. Right from the beginning we find a play of
mockery in the story. The way the king was brought up obsequiously imitating
the British ways, the way he sets out on a tiger killing spree, the way he
exempts the villagers from all taxes and then double the taxes and finally his
death by a toy tiger, all make fun of the king’s power. He could have used his
power for the welfare of the public but instead he used it to fulfill his
eccentric ambition.
Dramatic irony is a situation in a literary work of which the
reader and the narrator are aware but the protagonist is unaware. In the story,
the tiger king was unaware of the fact that the hundredth tiger was not dead
but the reader and the narrator were in full knowledge of the fact.
2. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent
animals to the willfulness of human beings?
Ans: The author seems to be indicating that killing innocent animals
for one’s whims and fancies is utterly futile as except harming the nature no
result comes out of it. The innocent animals are troubled and the powerful seek
temporary enjoyment. The harmony of the nature is destroyed and it creates
disturbance in ecology. The Tiger King goes on killing 99 tigers fulfill his
vow of killing hundred tigers but none comes out of that as even after killing
so many tigers he dies because of a toy tiger.
To subject innocent animals to the whims of an individual, is
utter foolishness. It is more sensible to save lives than take lives. The Tiger
King, in order to prove the astrologer’s prophecy wrong misused his power by
troubling the subject and killing the tiger but couldn’t avoid death.
3. How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions
towards him? Do we find a similarity in today’s political order?
Ans: The behaviour of Maharaja’s minions was obsequious towards him.
They followed his orders only out of fear that he could do anything whimsical.
There was no sincere respect for him. He used his position and power to bully
them. If he were happy, he would shower benefits upon them but if furious, he
could inadvertently punish them. When the king got the news of the hundredth
tiger, he exempted the villagers from all taxes for three years but when he
didn’t find the tiger, he asked the Dewan to double the land taxes. Likewise
when the hundredth tiger didn’t die, the king’s minions were afraid to tell
this to the king for fear of losing their job.
We
find the same kind of situation in today’s political order. The minions flatter
the big leaders to serve their own interests. They also fear them as they can
use their power wrongly.
PREVIOUS YEARS' QUESTIONS
(2018) What considerations influenced the Tiger
King to get married? [3 Marks]
(2017) Why was the Maharaja once in the danger
of losing his kingdom? [3 Marks]
(2015) The manner of his (the
Tiger King's) death is a matter of extraordinary interest. Comment. [3 Marks]
(2014) Even today so many among
us believe in superstitions. An astrologer predicted about 'the Tiger King'
that he would be killed by a tiger. He 'killed' one hundred tigers yet was
himself 'killed' by a tiger. How did the superstitious belief 'prevail'? [6
Marks]
(2014) Why did the Maharaja
order the dewan to double the land tax? [2 Marks]
(2012) How did the Tiger king
stand in danger of losing his Kingdom? How was he able to avert the danger? [7 Marks]
(2010) What did the British
officer's secretary tell the Maharaja? Why the Maharaja refuse permissions? [2
Marks]
(2009) How did the Tiger king
meet his end? What is ironical about his fate? [7 Marks]
(2008) How did the Tiger king
celebrate his victory over the Killing of the 100th tiger?
[2
Marks]
