The Tiger King
by Kalki (R.K. Krishnamurthy)
A Satirical Tale of Fate, Power, and Irony
Story Summary
Setting
Location: Pratibandapuram, a fictional princely state in India
Time: Pre-independence India (British Raj era)
Mood: Satirical, ironic, humorous yet tragic
Plot Overview
The Birth Prophecy
The crown prince of Pratibandapuram is born, and astrologers predict that “death comes from the Tiger”. The ten-day-old infant astonishingly speaks: “Let tigers beware!” The chief astrologer clarifies that the prince may kill ninety-nine tigers, but the hundredth tiger will cause his death.
Becoming the Tiger King
Upon ascending the throne at age twenty, the Maharaja begins his mission to kill one hundred tigers to defy fate. He bans tiger hunting by anyone else in his state, declaring that “all tigers in Pratibandapuram belong to the king”. He earns the title “Tiger King” for his obsessive hunting.
The Hunting Marathon
Within ten years, the Maharaja kills seventy tigers, causing their extinction in Pratibandapuram. When a British officer requests permission to hunt, the Maharaja refuses, risking his state’s autonomy. To continue hunting, he strategically marries a princess from a state with a large tiger population and kills twenty-nine more tigers there.
The Elusive Hundredth Tiger
Having killed ninety-nine tigers, the Maharaja desperately searches for the final one. When none can be found, the terrified Dewan (prime minister) secretly obtains an old tiger from the People’s Park in Madras and releases it into the forest. During the hunt, the Maharaja fires at the tiger, which faints from the shock of the bullet’s sound but is not actually killed. The hunters, fearing the king’s wrath, quietly shoot the tiger themselves.
The Ironic Death
Believing he has defeated fate, the Maharaja celebrates. On his son’s third birthday, he buys a cheap wooden toy tiger from a local shop. While playing with it, a tiny sliver of wood pierces his right hand. The infection spreads rapidly, and despite three surgeons operating on him, the Maharaja dies. Thus, the prophecy is fulfilled—the hundredth tiger takes its revenge, not as a living beast, but as a harmless wooden toy.
Character Analysis
The Maharaja
Protagonist – “Tiger King”
- Brave but obsessive
- Arrogant and authoritarian
- Determined to defy fate
- Superstitious yet rational
- Symbol of human hubris
The Dewan
Chief Minister
- Loyal but fearful
- Cunning and resourceful
- Saves his own position
- Arranges the 100th tiger
- Represents sycophancy
The Astrologer
Royal Astrologer
- Makes the prophecy
- Wise and confident
- Unafraid of the king
- Represents fate/destiny
- Proves to be correct
British Officer
High-ranking Official
- Wants to hunt tigers
- Denied by the Maharaja
- Represents colonial power
- Minor but significant role
The Maharaja’s Son
The Young Prince
- Receives wooden tiger
- Innocent child
- Unknowing catalyst
- Symbol of irony
Major Themes & Motifs
Fate vs Free Will
The central theme explores whether humans can escape their destiny. Despite the Maharaja’s efforts to defy the prophecy, fate ultimately prevails in the most unexpected way, suggesting that destiny is inevitable.
Satire on Aristocracy
Kalki satirizes the arrogance, vanity, and foolishness of the ruling class. The Maharaja’s obsessive tiger hunting and the sycophantic behavior of his courtiers expose the absurdity of royal privilege.
Irony & Paradox
The story is rich in irony: the tiger hunter is killed by a toy tiger, the brave warrior dies from a splinter, and human power proves futile against fate. The ultimate irony is that trying to avoid death leads directly to it.
Man vs Nature
The Maharaja’s brutal hunting represents humanity’s destructive relationship with nature. He causes the extinction of tigers in his state, symbolizing ecological imbalance and the consequences of human arrogance.
Abuse of Power
The Maharaja uses his authority arbitrarily—dismissing officials, threatening his Dewan, and monopolizing tiger hunting. This highlights how absolute power corrupts and leads to irrational decisions.
Mortality & Death
Despite wealth, power, and determination, the Maharaja cannot escape death. The story reminds us that death is the great equalizer, and no amount of human effort can prevent it when destined.
Literary Devices & Techniques
Dramatic Irony
The most powerful device in the story. The Maharaja believes he has killed the hundredth tiger and defeated fate, but readers know the tiger fainted and was killed by hunters. The ultimate irony is his death from a toy tiger.
“The Maharaja was overjoyed—he had killed the hundredth tiger!”
Satire
Kalki uses satire to mock the aristocracy, their vanity, and their foolish beliefs. The exaggerated actions of the Maharaja—like a ten-day-old baby speaking—highlight the absurdity of royal pretensions.
Foreshadowing
The astrologer’s prophecy at the beginning foreshadows the ending. The detail about the hundredth tiger being the cause of death is fulfilled in an unexpected way through the wooden toy.
Characterization
Characters are presented through actions rather than lengthy descriptions. The Maharaja’s obsession, the Dewan’s sycophancy, and the astrologer’s confidence are revealed through their behavior and dialogue.
Symbolism
- Tigers: Represent both the power of nature and the inevitability of death
- Wooden Tiger: Symbolizes how the most insignificant things can be deadly
- Number 100: Represents the Maharaja’s obsession and hubris
- The Prophecy: Symbol of fate and destiny
Hyperbole
Exaggeration is used for comic effect—a ten-day-old baby speaking, the Maharaja’s extreme reactions, and the elaborate measures to find one tiger. These exaggerations emphasize the satirical tone.
Paradox
The story presents paradoxes: the brave tiger hunter dies from a toy, attempting to avoid death leads to it, and the powerful king is killed by the weakest of tigers (a wooden one).
Historical Context
Princely States in British India
During British rule, India had over 560 princely states that maintained nominal independence while under British suzerainty. These states had Maharajas, Nawabs, and other rulers who enjoyed considerable autonomy in internal affairs.
- Rulers had absolute power within their territories
- British controlled foreign affairs and defense
- Many rulers were known for extravagant lifestyles
- Tiger hunting was a popular royal sport
Tiger Hunting & Conservation
Shikar (hunting) was considered a royal privilege and status symbol among Indian royalty and British officers.
Historical Facts:
- Tigers were hunted extensively
- Caused near-extinction by 1970s
- Project Tiger launched in 1973
- Current population ~3,000
In the Story:
- Maharaja causes local extinction
- Reflects ecological destruction
- Critiques royal hunting culture
- Symbol of nature’s revenge
Astrology & Indian Culture
Astrology (Jyotish) has been an integral part of Indian culture for thousands of years. Royal courts maintained court astrologers who:
- Made predictions about births, deaths, and major events
- Advised rulers on auspicious times for actions
- Enjoyed high status and respect in society
- Their predictions were taken very seriously
Kalki’s Writing Period
Kalki wrote during the Indian independence movement (1920s-1940s). This period was marked by:
- Nationalism: Growing criticism of both British and princely rule
- Social Reform: Questioning traditional hierarchies and superstitions
- Literary Movement: Rise of social satire and critique in Tamil literature
- Political Context: Debate about the future of princely states post-independence
The story reflects this context by satirizing royal authority and blind adherence to superstition.
NCERT Questions & Detailed Answers
What is the prophecy about the Tiger King’s death?
Answer: The prophecy about the Tiger King’s death is made by the royal astrologers at his birth. They predict that:
- Death from the Tiger: The infant prince was born under the astrological sign of the bull, and the chief astrologer declared that “death comes from the Tiger.”
- The Infant’s Response: Miraculously, the ten-day-old baby spoke and asked about the manner of his death, saying “Let tigers beware!”
- The Specific Warning: The astrologer clarified that the prince may kill ninety-nine tigers successfully, but he should be extremely careful with the hundredth tiger, as that would be the cause of his death.
- Ironic Fulfillment: The prophecy is ultimately fulfilled in an unexpected way—not by a living tiger, but by a cheap wooden toy tiger that causes a fatal infection.
How did the Maharaja devote himself to achieving his goal?
Answer: The Maharaja’s devotion to his goal was obsessive and all-consuming:
- Complete Ban on Others: Upon ascending the throne, he immediately banned all tiger hunting by anyone else in his state, declaring that all tigers belonged to him alone.
- Personal Hunting: He personally hunted and killed tigers with single-minded determination, achieving seventy kills in just ten years.
- Strategic Marriage: When tigers became extinct in Pratibandapuram, he strategically married a princess from a state with a large tiger population to continue his quest.
- Political Risk: He risked his throne and state’s autonomy by refusing a British officer’s hunting request, showing he valued his mission over political security.
- Threats and Intimidation: He threatened to dismiss his Dewan when the hundredth tiger couldn’t be found, demonstrating his desperate obsession.
- No Distractions: He remained focused on tiger hunting throughout his reign, making it the central purpose of his rule.
What irony do you find in the story “The Tiger King”?
Answer: The story is replete with multiple layers of irony:
Dramatic Irony:
- The Hundredth Tiger: The Maharaja believes he killed the hundredth tiger, but it merely fainted from shock. The hunters quietly killed it, but the king remains unaware.
- Wooden Tiger’s Revenge: After killing ninety-nine real tigers, the Maharaja dies from a cheap wooden toy tiger—the ultimate ironic twist.
- The Prophecy: His entire effort to avoid death from a tiger actually leads him to his death through the hundredth tiger (albeit wooden).
Situational Irony:
- Power vs Helplessness: Despite being a powerful king, he cannot control his destiny.
- Brave Hunter Dies from Splinter: A fearless tiger hunter dies from a tiny wooden sliver—the weakest possible cause.
- Victory Celebration: He celebrates defeating fate, but fate has already won through the wooden tiger waiting for him.
- Nature’s Revenge: After destroying nature (causing tiger extinction), nature takes revenge in the most unexpected form.
How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironic about his fate?
Answer:
How He Met His End:
- The Toy Purchase: On his son’s third birthday, the Maharaja visited a toy shop and bought a poorly crafted wooden tiger for two annas and a quarter.
- The Fatal Splinter: While playing with his son and the wooden tiger, a tiny sliver of wood pierced the Maharaja’s right hand.
- The Infection: The wound became infected and the infection spread rapidly throughout his arm.
- Failed Surgery: Three renowned surgeons performed an operation, but despite their efforts, the Maharaja died on the operating table.
The Irony:
The irony is multi-layered and profound. The Maharaja spent his entire life hunting and killing real, dangerous tigers to avoid death from a tiger. He succeeded in killing ninety-nine fierce beasts. However, he ultimately died from the hundredth “tiger”—not a living, wild animal, but a harmless wooden toy worth only two annas. The prophecy was fulfilled in the most unexpected, ironic manner possible. The brave hunter who faced dangerous tigers fearlessly was killed by the most innocent, insignificant representation of a tiger. His obsessive quest to defy fate actually led him directly to his prophesied death.
What is the author’s message in the story “The Tiger King”?
Answer: Kalki conveys multiple profound messages through this satirical story:
- Fate is Inevitable: Human beings cannot escape destiny, no matter how powerful they are or what measures they take. The Maharaja’s obsessive efforts to avoid his fate ultimately lead him to it.
- Critique of Aristocracy: The story satirizes the arrogance, vanity, and foolishness of the ruling class. The Maharaja’s obsession with tiger hunting and his authoritarian behavior expose the absurdity of absolute power.
- Hubris Leads to Downfall: Excessive pride and the belief that one can control everything leads to destruction. The Maharaja’s hubris in thinking he could defeat prophecy causes his downfall.
- Ecological Message: The Maharaja’s brutal hunting causes the extinction of tigers in his state, symbolizing humanity’s destructive relationship with nature and the need for conservation.
- Absurdity of Superstition: While the prophecy proves true, the manner of its fulfillment is so absurd that it questions blind faith in superstition.
- Death as Equalizer: Despite wealth, power, and privilege, everyone must face death. No amount of human effort can prevent mortality.
Critical Analysis & Interpretation
The Tiger King as Social Satire
Kalki masterfully uses satire to critique multiple aspects of Indian society during the British Raj:
Targets of Satire:
- • Royal arrogance and vanity
- • Abuse of absolute power
- • Blind faith in astrology
- • Sycophantic courtiers
- • Ecological destruction
Satirical Techniques:
- • Hyperbole (baby speaking)
- • Ironic situations
- • Exaggerated characters
- • Absurd plot twists
- • Comic tone for serious themes
Fate vs Free Will Debate
The story presents a complex philosophical question: Can humans control their destiny? The Maharaja represents human free will—he makes choices, takes actions, and believes he can change his fate. However, the prophecy represents determinism—the idea that events are predetermined.
Kalki seems to suggest that while humans can make choices, ultimate outcomes may be beyond our control. The Maharaja’s very attempt to avoid fate leads him to it—a paradox that suggests the futility of fighting destiny. Yet, the absurd manner of death (wooden tiger) also makes us question whether this is truly “fate” or just random misfortune given a meaningful interpretation.
Ecological Reading
Man vs Nature:
The Maharaja’s obsessive hunting leads to the extinction of tigers in Pratibandapuram. This mirrors the real historical situation where royal hunting nearly drove tigers to extinction in India. The story, written in the 1940s, presages modern environmental concerns about species extinction and habitat destruction.
Nature’s Revenge:
The wooden tiger can be read as nature’s symbolic revenge. Unable to defend itself through living tigers (all killed), nature takes revenge through the representation of a tiger. This suggests that humanity’s war against nature will ultimately lead to human destruction.
Different Interpretations
1. Postcolonial Reading:
The Maharaja’s relationship with the British officer represents the complex dynamics of colonial India. His refusal to allow British hunting shows resistance to colonial power, but his own destructive hunting mirrors colonial exploitation of resources. This suggests that Indian princes were complicit in the exploitation they claimed to resist.
2. Psychological Reading:
The Maharaja’s obsession with the prophecy represents death anxiety—the human fear of mortality. His frantic efforts to kill one hundred tigers can be seen as psychological defense mechanisms against the inevitability of death. The ironic ending suggests that obsessing over death only brings it closer.
3. Feminist Reading:
The Maharaja’s strategic marriage to a princess for her state’s tigers treats women as property and means to an end. The story, while not primarily feminist, exposes the patriarchal power structures where women are bargaining chips in male ambitions.
Practice Exercises (Board Exam Pattern)
Section A: Interactive MCQ Quiz (1 mark each)
Test your knowledge with this interactive quiz – 20 questions
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Section B: Analytical Questions (3 marks each)
Answer in about 40-50 words:
1. Why did the Maharaja decide to marry a girl from a royal state with a large tiger population?
Sample Answer: After killing seventy tigers in Pratibandapuram, the tiger population became extinct. To continue his mission of killing one hundred tigers, the Maharaja needed access to more tigers. He strategically chose to marry a princess from a royal state that had a large number of tigers. This marriage was not based on love but was purely a calculated decision to further his obsessive goal. The marriage allowed him to hunt in his father-in-law’s state, where he killed twenty-nine more tigers.
2. How did the Dewan manage to arrange the hundredth tiger for the Maharaja?
Sample Answer: When no tiger could be found for the final hunt, the Maharaja became furious and threatened to dismiss the Dewan. Terrified of losing his position, the Dewan brought an old tiger from the People’s Park in Madras. He kept it hidden in his house and then secretly brought it to the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. The Dewan released the tiger just in time for the Maharaja to find it, thus saving both his job and satisfying the king’s obsession.
3. What shows that the astrologer was not a charlatan but a genuine astrologer?
Sample Answer: The astrologer’s credibility is established through several factors. First, his prophecy ultimately proves true—the Maharaja does die from the hundredth tiger, albeit in an unexpected way. Second, his confidence and lack of fear when speaking to the king suggests genuine belief in his prediction. Third, the specific detail about being careful with the hundredth tiger shows precise astrological calculation rather than vague fortune-telling. Finally, his willingness to stake his reputation on such a specific prophecy demonstrates authenticity.
4. How did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his kingdom?
Sample Answer: A high-ranking British officer requested permission to hunt tigers in Pratibandapuram. The Maharaja flatly refused because he had reserved all tigers for himself. This refusal angered the British officer, who had the power to take over the state. The Maharaja’s kingdom was at risk because denying British requests could lead to political consequences, including loss of autonomy or even dethronement. To appease the officer without allowing him to hunt, the Maharaja sent expensive gifts worth three lakh rupees.
5. What is the significance of the wooden tiger in the story?
Sample Answer: The wooden tiger is the story’s most significant symbol and carries multiple meanings. It represents the fulfillment of the prophecy in the most ironic manner—the hundredth tiger that kills the Maharaja is not a living, dangerous beast but a cheap toy. It symbolizes how fate works in mysterious ways and how the most insignificant things can be deadly. The wooden tiger also represents the revenge of nature against human arrogance and the ultimate futility of trying to escape destiny.
Section C: Critical/Analytical Questions (2 marks each)
Answer in about 30-40 words:
1. How does the story satirize the lifestyle of Indian princes?
Sample Answer: The story satirizes royal extravagance, arrogance, and absurd priorities. The Maharaja’s obsession with hunting, his authoritarian behavior, willingness to spend lavishly on gifts to appease British officers, and the sycophantic Dewan all expose the foolishness and moral bankruptcy of the aristocratic class during British rule.
2. What role does the Dewan play in the story?
Sample Answer: The Dewan represents the sycophantic courtier who serves the king’s whims to save his position. He arranges the hundredth tiger from a zoo, demonstrating both resourcefulness and moral flexibility. His character satirizes the yes-men who enable and encourage irrational behavior in power structures.
3. How does Kalki use humor to convey serious themes?
Sample Answer: Kalki employs satirical humor—a speaking infant, exaggerated royal obsession, and the absurd death from a toy—to address serious themes like fate, mortality, abuse of power, and ecological destruction. The humorous tone makes the critique more palatable while highlighting the absurdity of human arrogance.
4. What ecological message does the story convey?
Sample Answer: The Maharaja’s obsessive hunting leads to tiger extinction in Pratibandapuram, mirroring real ecological crises. The story critiques human destruction of wildlife for sport and vanity, highlighting the need for conservation. Nature ultimately takes symbolic revenge through the wooden tiger.
5. Is the Maharaja a villain or a victim of circumstances?
Sample Answer: The Maharaja is both villain and victim. He’s a victim of prophecy and fate, but his arrogant response—killing tigers recklessly, abusing power, causing extinction—makes him villainous. His tragic flaw is hubris, believing he can control destiny through brutal means.
Section D: Long Answer Questions (6 marks each)
Answer in about 120-150 words:
1. “The Tiger King” is a satire on the conceit of those in power. Discuss.
Points to include:
- • Maharaja’s arrogance and belief he can defy fate
- • Abuse of absolute power (banning others from hunting)
- • Obsessive and irrational behavior
- • Threat to dismiss Dewan shows tyranny
- • Extravagant spending to appease British officer
- • Sycophantic courtiers enabling bad behavior
- • Ultimate futility of power against death
- • Ironic death showing limitations of human control
2. How does Kalki use irony as the dominant literary device in “The Tiger King”?
Points to include:
- • Prophecy fulfilled in unexpected manner
- • Tiger hunter killed by toy tiger
- • Brave warrior dies from tiny splinter
- • Hundredth tiger actually not killed by Maharaja
- • Effort to avoid death leads directly to it
- • Power proves futile against fate
- • Celebration of victory precedes actual defeat
- • Irony enhances satirical and philosophical themes
3. Analyze the theme of fate versus free will in “The Tiger King.”
Points to include:
- • Astrologer’s prophecy represents determinism
- • Maharaja’s hunting represents free will/choice
- • His efforts to change destiny seem successful initially
- • Ultimate fulfillment of prophecy suggests fate’s power
- • Paradox: fighting fate leads to its fulfillment
- • Question of whether death was “fated” or coincidence
- • Human limitations despite power and wealth
- • Philosophical ambiguity maintained throughout
Key Takeaways – At a Glance
Essential Points
- Prophecy: Death from hundredth tiger
- Maharaja kills 99 tigers obsessively
- 100th tiger actually faints, not killed
- Dies from wooden toy tiger splinter
- Ultimate irony—prophecy fulfilled
For Exams
- Author: Kalki (R.K. Krishnamurthy)
- Genre: Satire
- Main Theme: Fate vs Free Will
- Literary Device: Irony
- Message: Fate is inevitable
Important Quotes
“Let tigers beware!”
“Death comes from the Tiger”
“The Maharaja is dead!” – killed by the hundredth tiger