Class 12 English — Chapter 2: The Tiger King

What you'll learn

• ▸The Astrologer's Prophecy
• ▸The Maharaja's Vow and Tiger Hunt
• ▸Conflict with British Authority
• ▸The King's All-Consuming Obsession
• ▸The Anticlimax of the Hundredth Tiger
• ▸The Ironic Demise of the Tiger King
• ▸Character of the Tiger King
• ▸Satire on Power and Conceit

Chapter Summary

--- PAGE 1 --- 12075CH02 2 The Tiger King Kalki I Before you read What is the general attitude of human beings towards wild animals? 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. But this name is often shortened to the Tiger King. I have come forward to tell you why he came to be known as Tiger King. I have no intention of pretending to advance only to end in a strategic withdrawal. Even the threat of a Stuka bomber will not throw me off track. The Stuka, if it likes, can beat a hasty retreat from my story. Right at the start, it is imperative to disclose a matter of vital importance about the Tiger King. Everyone who reads of him will experience the natural desire to meet a man of his indomitable courage face-to-face. But there is no chance of its fulfilment. As Bhar…

Practice Questions from this Chapter

Tap "Get Solution" on any question to ask our AI tutor.

1. Describe how tigers hunt. Get Solution →
2. Explain what royal prophecies were. Get Solution →
3. Compare different tiger species. Get Solution →
4. What is the common name used to refer to the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram in the story? Get Solution →
5. According to the chief astrologer's prediction, what would be the cause of the King's death? Get Solution →
6. How old was the infant prince when he first spoke? Get Solution →
7. What did the Maharaja ban in his state to help achieve his goal? Get Solution →
8. How many tigers did the Maharaja vow to kill? Get Solution →

Did you know?

• 💡 Tigers have stripes on their skin, not just their fur.
• 💡 A group of tigers is actually called an ambush or a streak.
• 💡 Historically, hunting large animals was a royal sport in many cultures.
• 💡 The art of predicting the future using stars began over 4,000 years ago.
• 💡 Ancient cultures often believed animal actions could foretell the future.

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