Class 12 English Textbook – Vistas, Chapter 2: “The Tiger King” NCERT Questions and Answers.
Includes both in-text questions from the “Read and Find Out” section and solutions to chapter-end exercises.
Intext-Questions: Chapter ‘The Tiger King’ Class 12 English Book ‘Vistas’
The in-text questions in the Class 12 English Core NCERT textbook “Vistas” for the story “The Tiger King” appear under the section ‘Read and Find Out‘ and focus on key aspects of the story, such as the character of the Tiger King, his actions, and the prophecy surrounding his fate. These questions encourage students to analyse the narrative and understand its deeper themes.
‘Read and Find Out’ Intext-questions:
Page 9 – Read and Find Out
Q1: Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?
Answer:
The Tiger King is the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, also known by his grand title Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur. He is called the Tiger King because of an astrologer’s prophecy at his birth that he would die one day — and the cause of his death would be a tiger. To prevent that fate, he began killing tigers in large numbers, making tiger hunting his life’s mission. Hence, people started calling him the Tiger King.
Page 10 – Read and Find Out
Q2: What did the royal infant grow up to be?
Answer:
The royal infant, Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, grew up to be a strong and determined young man. Like other Indian princes of the time, he was brought up in a British manner — drinking the milk of an English cow, having an English nanny, English tutor, and watching English films. When he turned twenty, he took charge of the kingdom and focused on fulfilling the prophecy by killing tigers to avoid his predicted death.
Page 13 – Read and Find Out
Q3: What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?
Answer:
When the forests of Pratibandapuram ran out of tigers, the Maharaja decided to marry a princess from a royal family of a state that had a large tiger population. Every time he visited his in-laws, he would kill five or six tigers. In this way, he continued to move toward his goal of killing a hundred tigers.
Page 14 – Read and Find Out
Q4: How will the Maharaja prepare himself for the hundredth tiger which was supposed to decide his fate?
Answer:
By the time only one tiger remained to complete the hundred, the Maharaja became extremely anxious and cautious. He was determined not to rest until he had killed the last tiger, but it was nowhere to be found. His anxiety grew so much that he even ordered a double land tax out of frustration. Later, the Dewan secretly brought an old tiger from Madras Zoo and left it in the forest for the Maharaja to shoot.
Page 15 – Read and Find Out
Q5: What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably disproved?
Answer:
After the Maharaja shot what he thought was the hundredth tiger, he believed the prophecy was wrong and that he had defeated fate. However, the bullet had missed the tiger, and it had only fainted. The tiger was later killed by hunters to hide the truth. Ironically, the Maharaja later died from an infection caused by a wooden tiger’s splinter, proving the prophecy true — that a tiger (even a toy one) would be the cause of his death.
Class 12 English Chapter “The Tiger King” NCERT Book Exercise Solutions Questions and Answers
The NCERT solutions for the Class 12 English chapter “The Tiger King” are provided below. Certain questions include more than one answer or solution to guide students in drafting and forming their own responses. This approach aims to support students in effectively preparing for their Class 12 English Board Exams.
NCERT Solutions: The Tiger King
1. The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ the literary device of dramatic irony in the story?
Answer:
The author uses dramatic irony to show the foolishness of people in power, like the Maharaja. Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something that the character doesn’t.
The Tiger King tries very hard to escape death by killing 100 tigers, thinking it will defeat fate. But in the end, he is killed by a tiny wooden toy tiger, not a real one. The reader can see the humour and the twist of fate, while the king doesn’t realize it. This makes the ending funny but meaningful. The story mocks the king’s pride and blind belief in power.
OR
The author uses dramatic irony by showing us details that the characters either ignore or misunderstand. For example, the Tiger King is so busy trying to avoid his fate by killing tigers that he misses the true meaning behind the prophecy. While everyone (and even the reader) understands that the prophecy is warning him about his own downfall, the characters keep chasing their own goals without realizing that fate is catching up with them. This gap between what the audience knows and what the characters expect creates dramatic irony.
2. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the wilfulness of human beings?
Answer:
The author shows that humans harm animals for their personal pride, fun, or ego. The Maharaja kills 99 innocent tigers just to prove a prophecy wrong and save his life.
But in the end, it is not a tiger that kills him — it’s a small toy tiger. This tells us that killing innocent animals does not give real control over fate or nature. The story indirectly teaches us that we should not harm wildlife for selfish reasons.
OR
The author criticizes how powerful people treat animals like mere objects to satisfy their own desires or to boost their image. Through exaggerated and humorous situations—like the obsession with tiger hunting—he shows that using innocent creatures for one’s own ambition is not only cruel but also nonsensical. This suggests that human arrogance often leads to unnecessary suffering of animals and reflects a lack of respect for nature.
3. How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions towards him? Do you find them truly sincere towards him or are they driven by fear when they obey him? Do we find a similarity in today’s political order?
Answer:
The Maharaja’s ministers and servants are not truly loyal or sincere. They obey him out of fear, not respect. For example, when the king thinks he has killed the 100th tiger, they hide the truth and kill the tiger themselves to save their jobs.
This kind of behaviour is still seen in politics today, where some people praise leaders falsely or hide the truth, just to stay safe or in power. It shows how fear and power can stop honesty.
OR
The minions in the story often behave in a way that seems more driven by fear than by genuine loyalty. They obey orders and go along with the Maharaja’s whims, not because they truly admire him, but because they are afraid of punishment or losing their jobs. This behavior can be compared to certain modern political situations where subordinates or followers support a leader out of fear of repercussions rather than true respect or agreement. It shows that sometimes authority is maintained more by intimidation than by sincere support.
4. Can you relate instances of game-hunting among the rich and the powerful in the present times that illustrate the callousness of human beings towards wildlife?
Answer:
Yes, even today some rich and powerful people hunt animals for fun or pride, not for need. For example, a few years ago, a foreign tourist hunted a rare lion in Africa and shared photos online. In some places, illegal tiger or elephant hunting still happens for money.
Such acts show that some humans still do not value the lives of animals, and they treat them like objects to show power. It’s a cruel and careless attitude towards wildlife.
OR
Yes, there are modern examples where wealthy individuals participate in trophy hunting and similar practices to showcase their power and status. Some rich people go on expensive hunting trips to kill endangered or protected animals, which often sparks public outcry. This behavior is criticized by many because it prioritizes personal glory over the well-being of wildlife and conservation efforts. Such acts reveal a disregard for nature and are similar to the callousness depicted in the story.
5. We need a new system for the age of ecology — a system which is embedded in the care of all people and also in the care of the Earth and all life upon it. Discuss.
Answer:
Yes, our world now needs a new system that respects both people and nature. We must focus on saving the environment, animals, forests, rivers, and all life forms.
Human progress should not harm nature. Like in the story, when humans act selfishly (like killing tigers), nature finds a way to answer back. So, we must build a system based on:
- Respect for nature
- Protection of animals
- Caring for each other and future generations
This new system is important for a safe, healthy, and balanced world.
OR
In today’s world, with environmental issues like climate change and species extinction looming large, the story reminds us that current systems are often driven by self-interest and power rather than care for life. A new system would involve:
- Sustainable practices: Ensuring that human activities do not harm nature and that resources are used in a way that can be maintained for the future.
- Inclusive governance: Decisions should consider the well-being of all people and the health of the environment, not just a powerful few.
- Conservation and respect for wildlife: Protecting animals, forests, and natural habitats with strong laws and ethical practices.
- Public awareness and education: Educating everyone about the importance of biodiversity and the impact of human actions on the planet.