NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 2 The Tiger King

This worksheet provides NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter The Tiger King. The chapter is a humorous and satirical story written by Kalki. It narrates the life of the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who becomes obsessed with killing tigers after astrologers predict that a tiger will cause his death. Through this unusual story, the chapter highlights themes of arrogance, fate, power, and human attitudes towards nature.

This worksheet helps students understand the events, characters, and deeper message of the chapter. It provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions that follow the structure and order of the questions from the chapter. The solutions help students analyse the story, understand its satire, and prepare effectively for exams and class discussions.

Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes

The Tiger King is a satirical short story that revolves around the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. At the time of his birth, astrologers predict that he will die because of a tiger. Determined to defeat this prediction, the Maharaja begins hunting tigers and vows to kill one hundred of them.

As he grows older and becomes king, he kills many tigers and even bans others from hunting them in his kingdom. However, when the number of tigers decreases, he faces difficulties in completing his mission. He even marries a princess from another state with a large tiger population so he can continue hunting.

Eventually, the Maharaja believes he has killed the hundredth tiger and thinks the astrologer’s prediction has been defeated. However, the prophecy is fulfilled in an unexpected way when a wooden toy tiger injures him and the infection leads to his death. The story humorously shows that fate cannot easily be avoided and also criticises the arrogance of people in power.

What this NCERT chapter covers?

• Understanding satire and humour in storytelling 
• Exploring themes of fate, arrogance, and power 
• Analysing the character of the Maharaja and his obsession with tiger hunting 
• Understanding the role of dramatic irony in literature 
• Developing critical thinking about human attitudes towards wildlife 
• Improving reading comprehension and analytical skills 

How to use these NCERT solutions?

Students should first read the chapter carefully and attempt to answer the questions on their own. After attempting the questions, they can use these NCERT Solutions to verify their answers and improve their understanding of the chapter.

Parents and teachers can use this worksheet to guide students through the story and its themes. Since the answers follow the NCERT order and structure, they make revision easier and help students prepare effectively for exams. Using these solutions regularly strengthens comprehension and answer-writing skills.

Student tips & learning tricks

Students should focus on understanding the humorous and satirical tone of the story. While reading, they should observe how the author presents the Maharaja’s actions and decisions in a way that reveals the irony of his behaviour.

When answering questions, students should refer to important events in the story and explain how they support the themes of fate and human arrogance. Writing clear and structured answers based on the text will help students present their ideas effectively.

Why NCERT solutions are important?

NCERT Solutions are important because they help students understand their textbook chapters clearly and systematically. Since many school examinations are based on NCERT content, practising accurate answers improves preparation and confidence.

These solutions guide students in presenting their responses according to NCERT expectations. They also strengthen conceptual understanding and help students analyse literature more effectively.

Complete answer key – NCERT solutions

Reading with Insight

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?

The author uses dramatic irony by presenting situations where the reader understands the truth behind events while the characters remain unaware of it. The Maharaja believes he can defeat fate by killing one hundred tigers. However, the readers realise that his obsession and arrogance are leading him towards the very destiny he is trying to avoid. The greatest example of dramatic irony occurs when the Maharaja thinks he has killed the hundredth tiger and escaped the prophecy, but in reality the tiger was killed by the hunters. Later, the prophecy is fulfilled when the wooden tiger injures him and the infection causes his death.

2. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?

Through the story, the author indirectly criticises the cruelty of humans towards animals. The Maharaja kills tigers only to prove his power and escape a prophecy, without considering the harm caused to wildlife. The extinction of tigers in his state shows how human actions can disturb nature. The story highlights the selfishness and thoughtlessness of humans when they exploit animals for personal pride or entertainment.

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?

The Maharaja’s servants and officials behave in an obedient and submissive manner. Their actions are mostly driven by fear rather than genuine respect or sincerity. They are afraid of losing their positions or facing punishment if they disobey the king. For example, the hunters secretly kill the tiger to prevent the Maharaja from discovering that he missed his shot. Similar behaviour can sometimes be observed in modern political systems, where people in power are surrounded by individuals who obey them out of fear rather than honesty.

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?

In some parts of the world, wealthy individuals engage in trophy hunting, where animals are hunted for sport rather than necessity. This practice often leads to the killing of rare or endangered animals. Such activities demonstrate how human pride and desire for prestige can lead to cruelty towards wildlife. Many governments and organisations now work to prevent such practices and protect animals through conservation efforts.

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.

In the modern world, it is important to create systems that balance human development with environmental protection. Caring for the Earth and all living beings requires responsible use of natural resources and respect for wildlife. Governments, communities, and individuals must work together to protect forests, animals, and ecosystems. By promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices, societies can ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

Strengthen your understanding of Class 12 English literature with clear NCERT Solutions designed to support better comprehension, exam preparation, and confident learning.

Book a Free Trial!