Chapter 2 The Tiger King Class 12 Vistas English NCERT Summary
Chapter 2 The Tiger King Class 12 Vistas English NCERT Summary can significantly enhance your understanding and retention of the chapter. These notes are designed by the experts of Gkrankers.com to provide comprehensive explanations and insights into the topics covered in the chapter.
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Chapter 2 The Tiger King Class 12 Vistas NCERT Notes
About the Chapter
In the story, the writer skillfully mocks the wilfulness and arrogance of those in power, particularly the kings who ruled during a time when the British had significant control. The rulers, instead of serving and prioritizing the needs of their people, seemed to be more interested in indulging in foolish pursuits. They were not hesitant to manipulate and bend laws to suit their own interests.
In an attempt to defy his predicted fate, the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram goes on a relentless tiger hunting spree, successfully killing 99 tigers. However, despite these accomplishments, his life is ultimately claimed by the 100th tiger, which interestingly is not a living creature but rather a wooden sculpture. The Maharaja’s demise is a result of an unfortunate incident where one of the silver pieces used to create the sculpture accidentally cuts his right hand. Tragically, due to infection from the wound, the Maharaja succumbs to his injuries and meets his untimely end.
About the Author
Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy, popularly known as Kalki, was a Tamil writer, journalist, poet, critic, and Indian Independence activist. He was born on 9 September 1899 in Puthamangalam, near Manalmedu, in Mayiladuthurai district, Krishnamurthy’s writing career began in 1923 when he joined Navaskthi as a sub editor. Over the course of his career, he wrote a remarkable collection of literary works which included 120 short stories, 10 novelettes, 5 novels, and 3 historical romances.
The Tiger King Class 12 Vistas English NCERT Summary
“Tiger King” was the title given to Maharaja Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bhadur. When Maharaja Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur was born, astrologers predicted that the king would die one day. Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, 10 days old, began speaking, telling them that all individuals born would have to die one day. The King asked astrologers to reveal the manner of his death. The entire court was shocked when they heard an infant, who was only ten days old, speaking with such wisdom. The chief astrologer then informed the Prince that his birth hour fell under the sign of the bull, indicating that his death would be caused by a tiger, as bulls and tigers were known enemies. However, instead of expressing fear or concern, the infant showed a display of royal arrogance by boldly proclaiming, “Let tigers beware!”
As a typical royal child, he consumed white cow’s milk for nutrition and received education from an English tutor. An English nanny took care of him and ensured his well-being. The child was exposed to English culture through watching films. As he reached the age of 20, he was officially crowned as the king. After growing stronger, the Maharaja developed a passion for tiger hunting. His excitement reached new heights when he successfully killed his first tiger. Eager to share his triumph, he approached the chief astrologer and recounted his achievement. However, the chief astrologer’s response was cautionary, warning the Maharaja to exercise caution when confronting the hundredth tiger, as if there was something potentially dangerous or significant about this particular encounter.
The Maharaja killed 70 tigers in ten years. In Pratibandhpuram, he prohibited the killing of tigers. At Pratibandhpuram, the tiger population became extinct. Thus, the Maharaja married a princess from a state with a high tiger population at the dewan’s recommendation. He would often go tiger hunting during his visits to his father-in-law. Despite successfully killing 99 tigers, there was still one remaining tiger that seemed to have disappeared. This frustration led the Maharaja to take drastic measures. He decided to raise the land tax, putting additional financial burden on his subjects, and also dismissed some of his men in an attempt to address the issue of the hidden tiger.
The dewan made arrangements for a tiger to be brought from the ‘People’s Park in Madras’. The tiger was then dragged and driven to the forest, where it was strategically left in a location where the Maharaja would come across it during his hunting expedition. As expected, when the Maharaja and his men encountered the tiger, he successfully shot it and the tiger immediately fell lifeless.
After being dragged and driven to the forest, the weak and emaciated tiger was left in a spot where it would be easily spotted by the Maharaja during his hunting trip. Unaware of the tiger’s condition, the Maharaja shot it, causing the tiger to faint from shock. However, the Maharaja’s men feared losing their jobs if they revealed this fact, so they decided to kill the tiger instead. Unbeknownst to the Maharaja, there was still one more tiger left for him to kill.
Maratha had to go to the birthday party for his three-year-old son. As a gift, he decided to present his son with a wooden tiger. However, the tiger was poorly crafted by an unskilled man, resulting in a rough surface. Tragically, while handling the gift, a wood sliver pierced into the Maharaja’s hand. This seemingly minor injury quickly turned severe as an infection spread throughout his entire hand. In a desperate attempt to save the king’s life, three surgeons performed an operation but unfortunately failed in their efforts. Thus, ironically the hundredth tiger, i.e. the wooden tiger, took its revenge and killed the tiger king.