---
type: "Chapter"
knowledge_type: "chapter"
entity_type: "chapter"
id: "66defdda3f8b4e9e69bdfa93"
title: "The Tiger King"
board: "CBSE"
curriculum: "CBSE"
class: "Class 12"
subject: "English"
book: "Vistas"
chapter: "The Tiger King"
chapter_slug: "the-tiger-king"
canonical_url: "https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-12-english-vistas-the-tiger-king"
markdown_url: "https://www.edzy.ai/okf/chapter/cbse-class-12-english-vistas-the-tiger-king.md"
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source: "Edzy"
version: 1
last_updated: "2026-06-22"
---

# The Tiger King

The Tiger King is a satirical story about the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who is obsessed with hunting tigers. His life is marked by a prophecy concerning his death at the hands of a tiger, which he tries to evade through his relentless hunts. The narrative explores themes of power, pride, and fate, culminating in an ironic twist that reveals the ultimate price of his obsession.

---

## Knowledge Snapshot

| Field | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Vistas |
| Chapter | The Tiger King |
| Pages | 8-17 |

---

## Chapter Summary

### Short Summary
The story follows Maharaja Jung Jung Bahadur, known as the Tiger King, whose obsession with killing one hundred tigers leads him to confront his own fate predestined by astrology.

### Detailed Summary
The Tiger King, born under a prophecy predicting his death by tiger, grows to become a powerful ruler focused on hunting. Despite being warned by an astrologer to beware the hundredth tiger, he continues his hunts, resulting in the extinction of tigers in his state. The narrative is filled with encounters that highlight his pride and desperation as he seeks the final tiger. Ultimately, he finds a tiger, but due to a twist of fate involving a wooden toy tiger, he dies from an infection, demonstrating the irony of his life's pursuit.

---

## Topic-Wise Explanation

### Introduction to the Tiger King
Maharaja Jung Jung Bahadur is introduced as a bravado character with an indomitable spirit and a royal background.

### The Early Years of the Tiger King
His charm and the prophecy established early in life contribute to his identity and later obsession.

### The Beginning of the Tiger Hunts
His initiation into tiger hunting begins with a self-defense clause leading to his first kill.

### Challenges in Tiger Hunting
The Maharaja faces several obstacles, including missed shots and pressure from British officers seeking to hunt tigers.

### The Hunt for the Hundredth Tiger
Amidst growing anxiety, the Maharaja begins to feel the pressure of having only one tiger to hunt.

### The Twist of Fate
His ultimate downfall occurs unexpectedly through an infection from a wooden toy, symbolizing the very fate he sought to avoid.

---

## Character Analysis

### Maharaja Jung Jung Bahadur
The protagonist whose obsession with hunting tigers leads him to challenge fate and undergo a tragic end, representing the themes of pride and the consequences of folly.

---

## Core Ideas

| Idea | Explanation |
| :--- | :--- |
| Obsession with Power | The Maharaja's desire to conquer all tigers symbolizes the futility of human pride against destiny. |

---

## Key Concepts

| Concept | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| Fate | The predestined outcome of the Tiger King's life foreshadows his tragic ending. |

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## Important Points for Revision

* The Maharaja's obsession with killing tigers leads to the extinction of tigers in his state.
* His early life is marked by a prophecy concerning his fate.
* The twist of fate comes from an unforeseen common object — a wooden tiger.
* The conflict with British officers highlights colonial attitudes and power dynamics.
* His fear of the hundredth tiger leads to increased anxiety and desperation.
* Irony permeates the story — the very king who hunts tigers falls victim to a toy.
* The story critiques the arrogance tied to power and hunting.
* The final hunt culminates in an unexpected outcome that reflects on the nature of pride.

---

## Vocabulary and Glossary

| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| Maharaja | A great king or prince in India. |
| Astrologer | A person who uses astrology to predict the future or interpret events. |
| Satyagraha | A non-violent resistance or civil disobedience movement. |

---

## Practice Questions

### Short Answer Questions
1. What was the prophecy concerning the Tiger King?
2. How did the Maharaja gain popularity among the people of Pratibandapuram?
3. What challenges did the Maharaja face during his tiger hunts?
4. How did the British officer influence the Tiger King's actions?
5. What was the outcome of the hundredth tiger hunt?

### Long Answer Questions
1. Discuss the themes of power and destiny in the story of the Tiger King.
2. Analyze the character of Maharaja Jung Jung Bahadur and the impact of his obsession on his life.
3. Explain the significance of the toy tiger in the narrative and its role in the Tiger King's demise.

---

## Related Concepts

| Concept | Relationship |
| :--- | :--- |
| Fate and Free Will | Explored through the Maharaja's attempts to defy prophecies. |

---

## Source Attribution

| Field | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Source | Edzy |
| Reference Type | examSubjectBookChapter |
| Reference ID | 66defdda3f8b4e9e69bdfa93 |
| Canonical URL | https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-12-english-vistas-the-tiger-king |
| Markdown URL | https://www.edzy.ai/okf/chapter/cbse-class-12-english-vistas-the-tiger-king.md |