CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Tiger King Set 02

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What gave the astrologers the greatest surprise of their life while they were studying the horoscope of the ten-day old prince?
Answer: When the astrologers were studying the horoscope of the prince, the infant prince suddenly began to speak clearly and wisely. This miracle, of the ten-day old prince speaking, gave the astrologers the greatest surprise of their life.

Question. What made the chief astrologer place his finger on his nose?
Answer: When the baby Maharaja was only ten days old, he opened his lips in speech and raised intelligent questions to the chief astrologer. He asked him about the manner of his death. This made the chief astrologer place his finger on his nose in wonder.

Question. “I shall cut my tuft crop my hair short and become an insurance agent.” Explain the context.
Answer: The given line is taken from the story ‘The Tiger King’. The line is spoken by the astrologer who had told the Maharaja that he would be killed by the hundredth tiger. To prove the truth of his prediction, the astrologer makes the statement that he would leave astrology and become an insurance agent if his prophecy is not fulfilled.

Question. What led the Maharaja to start out on the tiger hunt?
Answer: When the Maharaja was born, a prophecy was made that the reason of his death would be a tiger. The Maharaja wanted to prove the prediction wrong. After he killed the first tiger, the astrologer told him that he would have to kill a hundred tigers as according to the prophecy the hundredth tiger would cause his death. So, the Maharaja started out on a tiger hunt to save his life.

Question. What sort of hunt did the Maharaja offer to organise for the high-ranking British officer? What trait of the officer does it reveal?
Answer: When the British official came with a request for a tiger hunt, the Maharaja offered to organise a boar hunt, a mouse hunt or even a mosquito hunt for him, but not a tiger hunt. The Maharaja was then informed that the official would even be happy to simply pose with the tiger’s carcass for a photograph, while the Maharaja could do the actual killing. This shows the vanity and shallowness of the officer.

Question. How did the ‘duraisani’ behave on receiving the gifts?
Answer: When the ‘duraisani’ received the gifts of 50 rings from the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, she behaved like a greedy woman who kept all of them which was not expected by anyone.

Question. How did the Tiger King manage to retain his kingdom? Or How did the Maharaja please a high-ranking British officer? Or What did the Maharaja and Dewan do to avoid the danger of losing the throne?
Answer: The Maharaja did not permit a high-ranking British officer to hunt tigers in his kingdom, due to which he displeased the officer and was in danger of losing his kingdom. To counteract this, he sent the officer’s wife a selection of fifty diamond rings from which she could keep the one she liked. The lady kept all of them, thus, pleasing the officer and helping the Maharaja retain his kingdom.

Question. Why did the Maharaja order the Dewan to double the land tax?
Answer: When the hundredth tiger was hard to find near the hillside village which had reported its presence, the angry Maharaja ordered the Dewan to double the land tax for that village in frustration and anger.

Question. Why did the Dewan decide to give up his own tiger to be killed by the Maharaja?
Answer: The Maharaja refused to leave the forest until he had killed the last tiger. Many officers lost their jobs, and the Dewan feared that he too might lose his job. So, to save his job, the Dewan decided to give up the tiger he had hidden.

Question. Did the Tiger King shoot the hundredth tiger? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: When the Tiger King shot at the tiger, the bullet actually missed its target but the old tiger fainted from the shock of the bullet whizzing past it. So, although the tiger appeared to be dead, it was only unconscious. Thus, although the Maharaja thought he had killed the tiger, it was not so. Later, it was killed by one of the hunters accompanying the Maharaja.

Question. How did the Tiger King celebrate his victory over the killing of the hundredth tiger?
Answer: When he thought that he had killed the hundredth tiger, his joy knew no bounds. The elated king returned to his capital and ordered his staff to bring the dead tiger in a grand procession. The tiger was buried and a tomb was erected over it.

Question. Discuss the significance of the toy tiger in the climax of ‘The Tiger King’.
Answer: The toy tiger holds a significant role in bringing in the climax of the story ‘The Tiger King’. This wooden tiger stands in stark contrast to the dangerous live tigers the Maharaja had been hunting throughout his life. Its role in bringing the Maharaja’s death brings up the themes of irony and fate central to the story. It illustrates that despite human efforts to control or escape destiny, it can manifest in the most unexpected and trivial forms. The toy tiger symbolises the ultimate futility of the Maharaja’s efforts and points to the folly of those who believe they can master fate through power or violence.

Question. What did the Maharaja do to realise his ambition of killing hundred tigers?
Answer: To realise his ambition of killing hundred tigers, the Maharaja did many things. He banned tiger hunting and even faced the danger of losing his kingdom when he refused to allow a British official to hunt tigers. He himself stayed in forests to kill the tigers. Further, he even married a princess of a state with great tiger population to fulfill his ambition.

Question. Do you think the prediction made by the state astrologer was indisputably disproved? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Answer: The prophecy made by the state astrologer cannot be indisputably disproved as the king was ultimately killed by a tiger that was neither a real one nor the hundredth one. The weak, old and almost lifeless tiger that was the hundredth one escaped the king’s bullet by fainting at the shock of the bullet whizzing past. It was the ‘tiny little wooden tiger’ from the toy shop that caused the death of Tiger King.

Question. The manner of his (The Tiger King’s) death is a matter of extraordinary interest. Comment. Or How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his fate?
Answer: The manner of the Tiger King’s death is a matter of extraordinary interest because it is ironical that, although he killed 99 live tigers, a harmless wooden toy tiger caused his death. A tiny sliver of wood of the toy tiger pierced the Maharaja’s right hand. It became infected and the Maharaja died due to the infection. Thus, his death was destined and he failed to survive the ominous prediction.

Question. Do you think an author who includes several instances of satire in a story faces the risk of being too cynical? Explain.
Answer: No, I do not think that the instances of satire in the story face the risk of being too cynical. The satire in the story highlights the reality of the authority and power possessed as well as misused by influential people.

Question. “Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.” In light of this quote, examine how knowing the future paved way for the king’s end.
Answer: It is truly said that “Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing”. This has been aptly shown in the story of ‘The Tiger King’. The Maharaja since his childhood had been aware of his death from a tiger. When he gets to know about his death from the 100th tiger, the Maharaja gets on a killing spree. He kills 100 tigers and feels infallible. He feels that he had escaped death and does not pay attention to the wound given by the 100th wooden tiger which ultimately leads to his death.

Question. The Maharaja justified his actions based on the maxim: “You may kill even a cow in self-defence, so there would be no objection to killing tigers in self-defence.” Do you think it is right to justify our actions in this way? Elaborate.
Answer: It is true that the Maharaja justified his actions based on the maxim: “You may kill even a cow in self-defence,’ so there would be no objection to killing tigers in self-defence.” However, in the case of Maharaja, self defence is a fight against fate. Fate had destined for the Maharaja to die through the hands of a tiger. So, the Maharaja decides to fight it not knowing that he cannot escape it however, he may try. In this attempt, he kills many innocent tigers which is not justifiable.

Question. Comment on any one aspect of the writing style of the author, Kalki in ‘The Tiger King’.
Answer: The author of the story ‘The Tiger King’, Kalki uses a conversational tone and a narrative style in his writings. His, ‘The Tiger King’ is exemplary of his satires of those in power. He uses humour, exaggeration and harmony to criticise the unnecessary exploits and unreasonable actions of the Tiger King.

Question. What message does the story ‘The Tiger King’ give to the readers?
Answer: Through the story ‘The Tiger King’, the author wants to give the message of the transience of life and power. The story essentially is a satire on the conduct of the people in power. It is found that rulers like the Tiger King are not interested and bothered about working for public welfare. Rather, they spend their time in foolish things.

Question. The upbringing of the Maharaja and all other crown princes was greatly influenced by British culture. Why did this happen? Justify your answer in 40- 50 words with an example from ‘The Tiger King’.
Answer: The Maharaja and the other crown princes were heavily influenced by British culture in their childhood. They were attended by an English nanny and watched English films exclusively. The reason for such a heavy influence was the close relationship of the princely states with the British empire. Due to placing such heavy importance on imported values, they were distanced from their own culture and disvalued the words of prophets and scholars.

Question. What did the hunters realise when they looked at the hundredth tiger?
Answer: When the hunters looked at the hundredth tiger, they realised that it was still alive. The king had missed his shot, but no one dared to tell him the truth. To maintain the illusion of his success, the hunters killed the tiger themselves.

Question. What did the Dewan do to procure the hundredth tiger for the king?
Answer: To procure the hundredth tiger for the king, the Dewan arranged for an old tiger from the People’s Park in Madras. Fearing the king’s wrath, he brought the weak tiger in his car and released it in the forest where the king was hunting. This trick helped the king believe he had killed his hundredth tiger.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. The astrologers predict, “The child will grow up to become the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions ”. In contrast to the above statement, the Tiger King’s death is an anticlimax. Comment.
Answer: When the Tiger King was born, the astrologers predicted that the Tiger King would be valiant and courageous but “the child born under this star will one day have to meet its death.” When the Tiger King grew up and got to know of this prophecy, he set out on a tiger hunt. From that day onwards, the tigers in the kingdom were under threat from the king himself. Just to disprove the prophecy and to prove himself powerful, the Maharaja started his ruthless slaughter of tigers. The irony was that the Maharaja, who had bravely fought and killed ninety-nine tigers, lost his life because of a wooden inanimate tiger which he had brought as a birthday present for his son. A small splinter of wood from the crude toy injured him and infected his entire arm which led to his untimely death. Thus, the hundredth tiger avenged the death of all the other tigers. It was, undoubtedly, a trick of fate and the cruelty of the Maharaja that led to such an anticlimax.

Question. Imagine you are an ardent environmentalist who is involved in the Save the Tiger campaign. You have been asked to deliver a speech in a seminar related to your campaign and the need for the youth to be involved in such campaigns. Draft your speech.
Answer: Good morning! My dear companions, I stand before you to speak on the topic - Save Tiger. Perhaps the most beautiful of God’s creations are animals of the world. Among the most ferocious of these, is the proud tiger. Tigers have become a very important issue all over the world presently. India is the home of about two third of the world’s tiger population. Their reducing number has triggered the government authorities to awaken. While the government is already taking projects to preserve them, there is something that we as the typical public should do. The first thing what we can do is create awareness among people. We can increase the attention by creating leaflets, ads, advertising the cause on internet websites. Secondly, we must stop the poaching. Even when the government has banned selling of tiger’s skin, poaching, however, is still prevalent. Thirdly, our jungles are getting destroyed and that could be a significant cause why tigers are disappearing as they don’t have a proper ecosystem to develop anymore. So, protecting jungles is also important. Saving Tiger is not only our duty but also our responsibility. We have to support the government in its projects for the protection of the tigers so that a healthy population of the tigers exists. If nature is responsible for our existence, we must take responsibility for its existence. Thank you.

Question. “Tiger population became extinct in the forests of Pratibandapuram.” Tiger King is a typical example of man’s dominance over nature. As a member of your school Eco Club, write an article for your school magazine on how man should follow the policy of ‘Live and Let live’.
Answer: The noblest principle, man should follow in his life is co-existence. Our world is a beautifully grand and diverse place resided by numerous species of flora and fauna. And yet, man, often led by ambitions, forgets the fundamental law of nature: co-existence. The Tiger King’s story serves as a prime example of the perils of breaching this inherent principle. As active members of our school’s Eco Club, we must fervently advocate for the ethos of ‘live and let live’. It is imperative to acknowledge that humans are but one strand in the intricate web of life, and our actions reverberate throughout the ecosystem. Our actions, like Maharaja’s relentless hunting, can inflict irreversible damage on the ecosystem. The specialist term for such violation is biodiversity loss which encompasses not just the extinction of certain species but also disturbance in the equilibrium of life forms. We must redefine our relationship with the natural world by learning to share our spaces and resources. Empathy, understanding, and respect are crucial for a harmonious relationship with nature and other species. By revering the natural world and fostering symbiotic relationships among humans, animals, and ecosystems, we can forge a path towards a sustainable future. Let us become stewards of the Earth, championing biodiversity, conservation and mutual reverence. Together, we possess the capacity to cultivate a world where all beings flourish in equilibrium and harmony. Thank you.

Question. “Until then the Maharaja had given his entire time and energy to tiger hunting. He had no time to spare for the crown prince.” In the present times, we see people following their profession and running after money and neglect their children. As a professional counsellor, you address working parents, stressing the need to spend quality time with children. Take material from the story ‘The Tiger King’ to re-inforce your points of view.
Answer: Spending time with children will boost their confidence and give them a sense of security, love, and support, which is vital for their overall well-being. When children feel emotionally connected to their parents, it boosts their self-esteem, confidence and resilience. Knowing this and following this is very crucial in the current times wherein individuals become consumed by their professions, often overlooking the emotional needs of their children. The narrative of ‘The Tiger King’ by Kalki Krishnamurthy serves as a poignant reflection of this modern-day dilemma where individuals prioritise career pursuits over familial obligations. This is seen in the Maharaja’s fixation on tiger hunting at the expense of neglecting his relationship with his son, the crown prince. This neglect, driven by ambition and pursuit of personal glory, mirrors the contemporary phenomenon. Just as the Maharaja’s neglect led to tragic consequences in the story, modern instances of parental neglect can have profound impacts on children’s well-being and development. ‘The Tiger King’ thus serves as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to strike a balance between professional ambitions and family responsibilities, recognising that true fulfillment lies not only in personal success but also in nurturing meaningful relationships with loved ones.

Question. ‘Your Majesty, I have two wives already. If I marry you ......... (Tiger King)’ No doubt it adds humour to the story. Humour always captures the mind of readers. Taking ideas from the story ‘The Tiger King’, write an article on the ‘Importance of Humour in Life’.
Answer: Sense of humour helps us deal with the problems of life and improves one’s mental and physical health. In ‘The Tiger King’, humour adds depth and resonance to the narrative, providing moments of relief amidst the serious themes of power and ambition. Humour serves as a coping mechanism, allowing characters and readers alike to navigate through difficult situations with ease and perspective. Laughter has been shown to reduce stress, boost immune function and foster social connections. Moreover, humour enables us to approach challenges with creativity and resilience, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth. In our daily lives, a good laugh can alleviate tension, enhance communication and strengthen relationships. Embracing humour not only enriches our individual experiences but also fosters a more positive and compassionate society. As demonstrated in ‘The Tiger King’ humour is an essential ingredient for a fulfilling and well-rounded life.

Question. Comment on any one aspect of the writing style of the author, Kalki in ‘The Tiger King’.
Answer: The writing style of Kalki in ‘The Tiger King’ is known for its vivid and descriptive language. Kalki has a talent for painting pictures with words, creating vivid images in the reader’s mind that bring the story to life. He has a keen eye for detail, and his descriptions of the natural world, characters and events in the story are rich and evocative. One aspect of Kalki’s writing style is his ability to create a strong sense of place. He sets the scene with vivid descriptions of the landscape and the environment, making the reader feel as though they are right there in the story. Whether he is describing ‘the lush tropical forests of India’ or ‘the bustling streets of a city’, Kalki creates a rich and immersive environment that draws the reader into the story. In addition to his descriptions of place, Kalki also has a talent for capturing the emotions of his characters. He writes with empathy and compassion, and his characters feel real and relatable. He is able to convey the inner thoughts and feelings of his characters through their actions and dialogue, creating a deep and nuanced portrayal of the human experience. Overall, Kalki’s writing style is characterised by its vivid and descriptive language, its ability to create a strong sense of place, and its compassionate and empathetic portrayal of characters. These elements combine to create a rich and immersive reading experience that draws the reader into the world of ‘The Tiger King’.

Question. Imagine you are an ardent environmentalist who is involved in the ‘Save the Tiger’ campaign. You have been asked to deliver a speech in a seminar related to your campaign and the need for the youth to be involved in such campaigns. Draft your speech.
Answer: Good morning! My dear companions, I stand before you to talk about our campaign, ‘Save Tiger’. Perhaps the most beautiful of God’s creations are the birds and animals of the world. And among the most ferocious of these, is the proud tiger. Tigers have become a very important topic of interest and issue all over the world presently. India is the home of major wild tigers about 2/3 of the world population. Their reducing number has triggered the government authorities to awaken and take observe. While the government is already taking projects to preserve the tiger, there is something that we, as responsible humans have to do. The first thing what we can do is create awareness among people. And, this program is even more essential when the focus is to preserve the tigers. We can increase the attention to Save Tigers’ by creating leaflets, ads, advertising the cause on internet websites and the like. Secondly, to preserve the tigers we must stop the poaching. Even when the government has banned the selling of tiger’s skin and bodies, poaching, however, is still prevalent. Thirdly, it’s been found that our jungles are getting destroyed and that could be a significant cause why creatures like tigers are disappearing. Today, tigers don’t have a proper ecosystem to develop and generate. So, protecting jungles is the next important phase. It is not possible to plant a forest but yes you can plant many trees. Saving Tiger is not only our duty but also our responsibility. We have to support the government in its projects for the protection of the tigers so that a healthy population of the tigers exists. We should know that when we ask something from nature, we must be ready to give something back. If nature is responsible for our existence, we must take responsibility for its existence. Thank you.

Extract Based Questions

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. He wished to give him some special gift on his birthday. He went to the shopping centre in Pratibandpuram and searched every shop, but couldn’t find anything suitable. Finally, he spotted a wooden tiger in a toyshop and decided it was the perfect gift,

Question. Complete the following suitably.
The Maharaja, as a father, was ............
Answer: affectionate and wanted to mark his son's birthday with a special gift.

Question. Why Tiger King wished to give a special gift?
Answer: It was his son’s third birthday and he wished to give him something special as he had finally achieved his goal of killing a hundred tigers.

Question. The wooden tiger cost’s about
(a) One annas
(b) Two annas
(c) Five annas
(d) Ten annas
Answer: (b) Two annas

Question. Why did the Tiger King consider a toy tiger as the perfect gift?
Answer: He considered it the perfect gift because it was symbolic of his life-long quest and victory over tigers.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What anecdote is related to the Tiger King’s birth?
Answer: The most famous anecdote is that when the Maharaja was only ten days old, he miraculously spoke and questioned the chief astrologer about the manner of his future death.

Question. Was the Maharaja’s bid to save his kingdom successful? How?
Answer: Yes, it was successful. He sent fifty expensive diamond rings to the wife of a high-ranking British officer. She kept all of them, and though it cost him Rs. 3 lakh, his kingdom was saved.

Question. Describe the upbringing of the royal infant.
Answer: The royal infant was raised in an entirely English manner: drinking milk from an English cow, cared for by an English nanny, tutored by an Englishman, and watching only English films.

Question. When he was only ten days old, a prediction was made about the future of the Tiger King. What was ironic about it?
Answer: The irony was that the infant himself spoke to challenge the prediction, showing wisdom beyond his years, yet his ultimate fate was sealed by a mere toy.

Question. 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’?
Answer: The belief prevailed because the prophecy technically came true. Even though he killed 99 live tigers, the "hundredth" tiger (a wooden toy) caused the infection that led to his death.

Question. What social commentary does the story offer regarding colonialism and power dynamics?
Answer: The story satirizes the subservience of Indian rulers to the British, shown by the Maharaja's fear of the British officer and his desperate, expensive bribe to keep his throne.

Question. How does the Maharaja’s relationship with his son symbolise his legacy and priorities?
Answer: His relationship is characterized by neglect due to his obsession with hunting. The toy tiger he finally buys for his son becomes the instrument of his death, symbolizing how his violent legacy destroyed him.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Attempt a character sketch of the Tiger King.
Answer: The Tiger King, the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, is a complex, eccentric, and largely satirical character. From birth, he is presented as extraordinary, miraculously speaking at ten days old. As a ruler, he is autocratic, stubborn, and obsessed with defying fate. His primary trait is his singular focus: he vows to kill a hundred tigers to disprove a prophecy, neglecting his state duties, his family, and the environment. He is ruthless, doubling taxes out of anger and threatening his officials with dismissal. However, he is also depicted as comical and foolish, shown by his interactions with the British and his eventual death by a toy. He represents the hubris of those in power who believe they can control destiny through violence and wealth. His character serves as a critique of the irresponsibility and vanity often found in absolute rulers.

Question. “Even though the Maharaja lost Rs. 3 lakh, he was still happy.” Justify the statement.
Answer: This statement highlights the Maharaja's priorities and the political reality of the time. The Rs. 3 lakh was spent on fifty diamond rings sent as a bribe to the wife of a British officer. The Maharaja had refused the officer permission to hunt tigers, which put his throne at risk. When the "duraisani" kept all fifty rings instead of choosing one or two, the bill was enormous. However, the Maharaja was happy because, in his view, the money was a small price to pay for the security of his kingdom. To him, retaining his power and his ability to continue his quest to kill a hundred tigers was far more valuable than wealth. This reflects his narrow-minded obsession and the corruption inherent in the power dynamics between Indian royalty and British colonial officials.