CBSE Class 12 English Vistas: The Tiger King - NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This section offers comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Chapter 2, 'The Tiger King,' from the CBSE Class 12 English Vistas textbook. It explores the fascinating life and foretold destiny of Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the ruler of Pratibandapuram, famously known as the 'Tiger King.' The solutions detail his unusual birth, the astrologers' stark predictions regarding his demise, and his subsequent lifelong quest to hunt tigers, driven by a desire to challenge fate. It also covers his calculated marriage, aimed at securing a territory rich in tigers, and his elaborate preparations for the final, fateful hunt. These explanations are crafted to help students understand the story's subtleties, the characters' driving forces, and the story's underlying satire, providing clear and concise answers to essential questions for effective exam preparation.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 12
SubjectEnglish Vistas
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 2

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Tiger King' (Chapter 2, Class 12 English Vistas) cover the narrative of Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the king of Pratibandapuram. The solutions explain the prophecy of his death by a tiger, his subsequent obsession with hunting 100 tigers, and the methods he employed, including a strategic marriage, to achieve his goal. The focus is on understanding the king's character, his actions, and the ironic twist of fate.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the origin of the name 'Tiger King'.
  • Identify the prophecy concerning the king's death.
  • Explain the king's obsession with hunting tigers.
  • Describe the king's strategy for hunting more tigers.
  • Analyze the king's preparations for the final hunt.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Tiger King's birth and prophecy
  • Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur
  • The prediction of death by a tiger
  • The king's obsession with hunting 100 tigers
  • Strategic marriage for hunting
  • Tiger population in Pratibandapuram
  • The role of astrologers
  • Defying fate

Important topics

  • The prophecy and the king's reaction
  • The king's ambition to kill 100 tigers
  • The strategic marriage
  • The irony of the king's fate

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Questions and Solutions

1. Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?

Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?
Solution: The Tiger King refers to Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the ruler of Pratibandapuram. He acquired this title due to a remarkable event at his birth. When the astrologers predicted that the prince would eventually die, the ten-day-old infant miraculously spoke and demanded to know the manner of his death. The chief astrologer revealed that his death would be caused by a tiger. In response, the young prince roared, "Let tigers beware!" and declared his intention to kill one hundred tigers. This vow and his subsequent actions led to him being known as the Tiger King.

2. What did the royal infant grow up to be?

What did the royal infant grow up to be?
Solution: The royal infant grew up to become the king of Pratibandapuram. He was not just any king; he became intensely obsessed with the prophecy of his death and the idea of hunting one hundred tigers. This obsession drove his actions, including his marriage, as he sought to disprove the prediction that his end would come from the hundredth tiger. His life became dedicated to this singular, ambitious goal.

3. What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?

What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?
Solution: To ensure he could kill the required number of tigers, the Maharaja devised a plan involving marriage. He instructed his dewan to find a suitable girl for him to marry. The criteria for this bride were specific: she had to be from a royal family and, crucially, from a state that possessed a large tiger population. Since Pratibandapuram had already seen all its tigers hunted, a marriage alliance with a neighbouring state's princess would provide him with ample opportunities to continue his hunt and reach his target of one hundred tigers.

4. How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?

How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?
Solution: The Maharaja's preparation for the hundredth tiger, which was prophesied to be the cause of his death, involved a deep sense of urgency and meticulous planning. Having already killed ninety-nine tigers, he was determined to face the final one. The narrative implies that he would have been intensely focused on this ultimate hunt, likely involving careful selection of the location and possibly a heightened sense of caution, given that this particular tiger held the key to his fate as foretold by the astrologers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the king's birth name with his title.
  • Underestimating the significance of the prophecy.
  • Not understanding the strategic reasons behind the king's marriage.
  • Failing to connect the king's actions to his fate.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the sequence of events leading to the king's obsession.
  • Note down the predictions made by the astrologers.
  • Understand the king's motivations for his actions.
  • Pay attention to the irony in the story's conclusion.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who was the Tiger King?

Q2. Why was the prince named 'Tiger King'?

Q3. What did the astrologers predict about the prince's death?

Q4. What was the Maharaja's primary ambition?

Q5. How did the Maharaja plan to increase his tiger hunting opportunities?

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Tiger King and why is he called so?

The Tiger King is Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the king of Pratibandapuram. He earned this name because, as an infant, he challenged the astrologers and vowed to kill one hundred tigers, dedicating his life to this pursuit.

What prophecy was made about the Tiger King's life?

The astrologers predicted that the prince would have to die one day. The chief astrologer specifically stated that his death would be caused by a tiger.

What was the Maharaja's main goal throughout his life?

The Maharaja's primary goal was to kill one hundred tigers to disprove the prophecy about his death and to prove his prowess as a hunter.

How did the Maharaja ensure he could continue hunting tigers?

When tigers in his own kingdom became scarce, he married a princess from a state that had a large tiger population. This allowed him to hunt tigers in his father-in-law's territory.

What is the significance of the 'hundredth tiger' in the story?

The hundredth tiger is significant because it was prophesied to be the cause of the Maharaja's death. His entire life's ambition revolved around hunting this final tiger and defying fate.

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