NCERT Class 12 English Vistas: Chapter 2 — The Tiger King
This chapter introduces the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, known as the Tiger King. The narrator explains the origin of his title, emphasizing that he is no longer alive, having met his end in a manner of extraordinary interest. From birth, astrologers predicted his death, foretelling he would become a great warrior but ultimately die by a tiger. A miraculous event occurred when the ten-day-old prince spoke, questioning the astrologers about the manner of his death. The chief astrologer revealed that death would come from the tiger, a prediction that did not faze the infant prince. The chapter sets the stage for the extraordinary tale of the Tiger King's life and demise, highlighting the role of fate and the astrologers' predictions in his destiny.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Vistas |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — The Tiger King |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 579 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of fate and prophecy in literature.
- Analyze the character of the Tiger King and his motivations.
- Identify the use of irony and satire in the narrative.
- Learn about the cultural context and historical references within the story.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| imperative | absolutely necessary or required; essential |
| indomitable | impossible to subdue or defeat |
| fulfilment | the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted |
| astrologers | experts in astrology, who study the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world. |
| foretold | predict or prophesy (an event in the future) |
| enunciated | speak or articulate (a word or a statement), especially clearly and distinctly |
| stupefaction | a state of extreme shock or bewilderment |
| prophets | people who are said to receive messages from God to teach or encourage people |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- Who is the protagonist of the story and why is he called the Tiger King? Answer: The protagonist is the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who is often shortened to the Tiger King due to his eventual fate.
- What did the astrologers predict about the prince at his birth? Answer: The astrologers predicted that the prince would grow up to be a great warrior but would one day have to meet his death.
- What miracle occurred when the prince was ten days old? Answer: The ten-day-old prince miraculously spoke, questioning the astrologers about the manner of his death.
- According to the chief astrologer, from what would death come? Answer: The chief astrologer explained that death would come from the tiger.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the real name of the Maharaja, often shortened to the Tiger King?
Explanation: The text explicitly lists Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur as the full name, which is then shortened to the Tiger King.
Q2. Why does the narrator state there is no chance of meeting the Tiger King?
Explanation: The narrator states that the Tiger King has reached the final abode of all living creatures, meaning he is dead.
Q3. What was the most significant prediction made at the Tiger King's birth?
Explanation: While the astrologers predicted he would be a great warrior, the most critical and 'secret' prediction was the manner of his death, which would be by a tiger.
Q4. How old was Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur when he first spoke?
Explanation: The text clearly states that the infant prince, who was just ten days old, spoke and enunciated words.
Q5. What was the relationship between the Bull and the Tiger according to the astrologer?
Explanation: The chief astrologer explained that the prince was born in the hour of the Bull, and the Bull and the Tiger are enemies, thus death comes from the Tiger.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote 'The Tiger King'?
'The Tiger King' is a story by Kalki.
What is the main subject of the chapter 'The Tiger King'?
The chapter is about the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, his life, and the prophecy surrounding his death, for which he earned the title 'Tiger King'.
Is the Tiger King still alive?
No, the narrator explicitly states that the Tiger King is dead and has reached the final abode of all living creatures.
What was unusual about the Tiger King's birth?
At ten days old, the infant prince miraculously spoke and questioned the astrologers about the prediction of his death.
What did the astrologers predict about the prince's death?
They predicted that the prince would one day have to meet his death, and specifically that his death would come from the tiger.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 English — Vistas — Chapter 2 — The Tiger King. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.