GSEB Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 2 The Tiger King Solutions

GSEB Solutions

The Tiger King Class 12 Questions And Answers GSEB

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 8)

Question 1. Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?
Answer: Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the ruler of Pratibandapuram, was called the Tiger King. When he was born, the astrologers announced that the prince would pass away someday. The ten-day-old prince requested the astrologers to tell them how he would die. The wise men were stunned by this amazing event. The main astrologer stated that his demise would come from a tiger. The young prince roared and spoke scary words: 'Let tigers beware!' He chose to hunt one hundred tigers. This is how he received the name 'Tiger King'.

Exam Tip: Remember to include both parts of the question in your answer: who the Tiger King is, and why he received that specific title, connecting it to the prophecy and his oath.

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 10)

Question 1. What did the royal infant grow up to be?
Answer: The royal child became the ruler of Pratibandapuram. He was completely focused on the goal of killing a hundred tigers. He wanted to do this to show that the prediction, which said his death would come from the hundredth tiger, was false. This caused him to hunt all the tigers in Pratibandapuram. He even got married because of this strong desire. This is why he was called the Tiger King.

Exam Tip: When describing character development, focus on the key traits and decisions that define the character's adult life based on early prophecies.

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 13)

Question 1. What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?
Answer: To find the necessary amount of tigers to hunt, the Maharaja requested his Dewan to locate an appropriate young woman for him to wed. An ideal girl for marriage would not only come from a noble background but also belong to a state with many tigers. Since Pratibandapuram no longer had any tigers, a region owned by his father-in-law would surely give him a chance to hunt more tigers and achieve his objective of killing one hundred tigers.

Exam Tip: Highlight the Maharaja's extreme measures and strategic thinking to fulfill his oath, even resorting to marriage for tigers.

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 14)

Question 1. How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?
Answer: The Maharaja wished to be very cautious when handling the hundredth tiger, which was believed to be the cause of his demise. Upon meeting the hundredth animal, he took careful aim at the tiger and fired. When it dropped in a lifeless pile, he felt immense happiness and quickly departed the spot.

Exam Tip: Focus on the Maharaja's emotional state and actions during the encounter with the hundredth tiger, emphasizing his belief in disproving the prophecy.

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 15)

Question 1. What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably disproved?
Answer: The astrologer passes away before the ruler of Pratibandapuram gets the chance to kill a hundred tigers. Showing his prediction wrong appears to be the only reason for the king's life. Apart from hunting one hundred tigers, all other matters become less important for the king. The prophecy cannot be completely disproven because the king was eventually killed by a tiger, even if it wasn't a real one or the hundredth one. Seeing the feeble, aged, and nearly dead tiger, no one would have imagined it would survive the king's shot by collapsing from the impact of the bullet flying by. It was the "small wooden tiger" from the toy shop that brought about the Tiger King's death.

Exam Tip: Explain the dramatic irony present in the story, clarifying that the prophecy was ultimately fulfilled, but in an unexpected way, highlighting the "wooden tiger" twist.

Reading With Insight

Answer The Following Questions In About Six To Seven Sentences Each:

Question 1. 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?
Answer: The narrative, "The Tiger King," perfectly shows dramatic irony. The main character behaves in a manner highly unsuitable for the real situation or expects something completely different from what destiny has planned for him. Kalki has expertly used dramatic irony throughout the tale. After hunting the first tiger, the King proudly displays its dead body to the astrologer to demonstrate his superior strength over the animal. However, the astrologer cautions the king to be watchful with the hundredth tiger. The King decides to challenge the astrologer again and tries extremely hard to hunt one hundred tigers. So, after shooting the old tiger, the Tiger King believes he has successfully killed the hundredth one. Yet, both the readers and the king's staff and servants soon learn that the weak tiger was not killed but merely fainted. The King feels happy about killing the tiger, but he is actually unaware of this twist of fate, and the prophecy comes true when a tiny splinter from a wooden tiger causes his sudden death. It is truly ironic that the hundredth tiger eventually causes the king's death, confirming the astrologer's forecasts.

Exam Tip: When analyzing satire and dramatic irony, focus on the contrast between the character's intentions or perceptions and the actual outcome, using specific examples from the story.

Question 2. What is the author's indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?
Answer: In this satirical tale, the author has accurately shown how people have caused innocent creatures great suffering and demise, simply to satisfy their own desires and strange ideas. The Maharaja's widespread hunting of tigers resulted in their disappearance in certain regions, but the Maharaja was unaware of the severe results his actions would bring. To challenge an astrologer's prediction, the Maharaja went on an intensive tiger hunting campaign, showcasing his power over the defenseless animals.

Exam Tip: When discussing the author's comment on human behavior towards animals, emphasize the themes of selfishness, ecological imbalance, and the consequences of unchecked human dominance.

Question 3. 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?
Answer: The Maharaja's servants were extremely obedient and overly flattering. Most of them feared the Maharaja and tried to keep him pleased by following his commands. They did not dare to go against him, as his anger could mean losing their positions or even their lives. The astrologer was scared to foretell his death until the Maharaja told him to "speak without fear." The Dewan, who should have advised the king against killing the tigers, did not dare oppose his desires and helped arrange his marriage to a princess whose father's kingdom had many tigers. Fearing unemployment, he offered an old tiger to satisfy the Maharaja's unusual requests. Similarly, the hunters chose not to tell him the 100th tiger survived and instead killed it themselves, worried they might lose their work. Even the shop owner, who sold the king an inexpensive wooden toy tiger, charged a higher amount, fearing punishment under emergency rules. Therefore, it is clear that the king's helpers were motivated by fear, not by genuine loyalty towards their leader. The current political system is quite similar. We understand that many powerful people are in their positions not because of their skills but due to their connections and authority. Furthermore, others flatter them for their own personal benefits, rather than for the nation's well-being.

Exam Tip: When discussing the behavior of subordinates, highlight how fear, sycophancy, and self-preservation often dictate their actions, drawing parallels to modern societal structures.

Question 4. Can you relate instances of game-hunting among the rich and the powerful in the present times that illustrate the callousness of human beings towards wildlife?
Answer: Today, large animal hunting is forbidden by law because many types of wild creatures are now considered endangered. Sanctuaries, national parks, and game reserves have been created to protect wildlife from vanishing and to keep nature's ecological stability. Even so, occasional incidents of big-game hunting are sometimes reported in newspapers. It is often observed that former rulers-like kings or nawabs-or wealthy and influential individuals, as well as famous movie stars, participate in game hunting. The legal cases against the late M.A.K. Pataudi and Salman Khan are still waiting in courts. Additionally, poachers and illegal traders harm wildlife for their skins, flesh, or various body parts and often get away without punishment.

Exam Tip: When addressing human callousness towards wildlife, provide examples of illegal hunting and its motivations, and mention conservation efforts like sanctuaries and legal bans.

Question 5. We need a new system for the age of ecology - a system which is embedded in the care of all people and also in the care of the Earth and all life upon it. Discuss.
Answer: The current era is the age of environmental understanding. A fresh awareness has emerged among people. Animals and birds are as much a part of the natural world as humans. The destruction or random killing of one species can not only cause its disappearance but also negatively impact the environmental balance. If predatory animals are removed, those creatures they eat will grow greatly in number. Every species, no matter how wild, harmful, dangerous, or toxic, plays its own role in the natural order. We need to create a new approach. It must center on looking after all living things on Earth, as well as the planet itself and all plant and animal life that exists upon it. Measures must be taken to maintain the natural ecological balance and stop environmental contamination. Clean air, water, and food can help all living things stay well and live longer lives.

Exam Tip: When discussing the need for a new ecological system, highlight the interconnectedness of all life forms, the importance of balance, and practical steps like preserving wildlife and preventing pollution.

The Tiger King Summary In English

The Tiger King Summary:

Maharaja Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur was known as the 'Tiger King'. When he was only 10 days old, he posed clever questions to the astrologers and was informed that a tiger would cause his death. He exclaimed, “Let tigers be careful!” No other amazing event occurred; the child grew up just like any other royal child, consuming white cow's milk. An English instructor taught him, and an English nanny cared for him. He watched English films. When he reached 20, he was crowned king. It was at this time that the prediction of his death by a tiger reached the Maharaja's ears. To protect himself, he hunted a tiger. Thrilled, he told the astrologer, who replied he could hunt 99 tigers but should be cautious with the 100th. He promised that all other matters of the state would be handled after he had killed a hundred tigers. Then he began hunting tigers. No one except the Maharaja was allowed to hunt them. A high-ranking British officer visited the state, who enjoyed tiger hunting, but his request was denied. The officer asked to take a photograph with a tiger killed by the Maharaja, but this was also rejected. To please the officer's wife, the Maharaja sent 50 diamond rings, expecting her to take one or two. Instead, she kept all the rings, costing 3 lakh rupees, and sent 'thanks' to the Maharaja. However, his state remained secure. In 10 years, he killed 70 tigers and found no more in Pratibandapuram. So, he decided to marry a girl from a royal state that had more tigers to achieve his goal. Whenever he visited his in-laws, he killed 5-6 tigers. Thus, he killed 99 tigers and was desperately eager to hunt the 100th but could not locate one. News about a tiger's presence near a village turned out to be false. He instructed his Dewan to find the tiger, or else face his anger. Fearing unemployment, the Dewan visited 'People's Park in Madras,' brought an old tiger, placed it in the forest, and informed the Maharaja. The Maharaja took great care, shot the tiger, and left the area with immense joy. The bullet did not strike the tiger, but out of fright, the tiger had fainted. Later, the staff killed the tiger and brought it in a grand procession. It was the Maharaja's son's third birthday, and he wished to buy him a gift from the toy shop. He bought a wooden tiger that was poorly carved. While the Maharaja was playing with the prince, a tiny splinter from the wooden tiger pierced his right hand, which later caused his death. Therefore, the 100th tiger ultimately avenged itself upon the "Tiger King.”