Vistas Chapter 2 The Tiger King

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram is known as the Tiger King. He may be identified as His Highness Jamedar-General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, Maharajadhiraja, Visva Bhuvana Samrat, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K. But this name is often shortened to the Tiger King. He had killed about hundred tigers. When he was born, the astrologers predicted that he would be killed by a tiger. The ten day baby prince spoke terrifying words. “Let tigers beware!” When he grew up he took up a vow to kill one hundred tigers and he started killing them. Thus he came to be known as the Tiger King.

The Crown Prince Jung Jung Bahadur was brought up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He drank milk of an English cow. An English Nurse was engaged to look after the baby. He was tutored by an English teacher and he watched English films. All his requirements were met like the crown prince of all the other states. When he came at the age of twenty, he became the Maharaja of his state.

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In his state of Pratibandapuram, the Maharaja had killed seventy tigers within ten years. The place became extinct with the tigers. But the Maharaja was much restless to kill the requisite number of tigers.In order to fulfil his desire, he married a royal daughter of a state having a large tiger population. Whenever the Maharaja visited his father-in-law, he would kill five or six tigers each time.

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The Maharaja had killed ninety-nine tigers from his state as well as his father-in-law's state. Now there was no tiger left. Yet he had to kill one tiger more. The Maharaja ordered to face harsh consequences if the tiger was not found. The dewan and his wife dragged a tiger from the People's Park in Madras. It was left where the Maharaja was hunting. Next day the same tiger wandered into the Maharaja's presence. The Maharaja aimed at it and it fell in a crumpled heap.

No harm will be done to the astrologer. Actually, the king could not kill the hundredth tiger, since it fainted in fear with the aim of the bullet. No, the prophecy was not indisputably disproved. Ironically the wooden tiger took its revenge on the Maharaja and this toy tiger became the cause of his death.

The author has used the device of irony in order to highlight the satire on the conceit of those who are in power. An irony is a technical device used by the authors to highten the fact that provides the result which is quite opposite in nature. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram tries his utmost best to falsify the prediction of the astrologers, since his state astrologer has foretold the Maharaja's death by a tiger. He has been further bewared to be more careful from the hundredth tiger.

Consequently, the king banned the hunting of all the tigers on his state. Within a span of ten years, the king was able to kill seventy tigers. He became restless to kill the rest since he was to realise his ambition of killing the hundred tigers. Even he married a royal daughter whose father's state had a large tiger population. Thus, he could kill only ninety-nine tigers and his father-in-law's state too became extinct with tigers. Here the king thought himself safe only after killing the hundredth tiger. His dewan managed it and the Maharaja aimed at the tiger but it fainted with the bullet. It survived but later on it was killed by the guards.

The irony lies in the point that the tiger which caused the death of the Tiger King, was a wooden tiger. One of its tiny slivers pierced into the right hand of the king. Infection flared and a suppurating sore all over the arm. The king was operated and the operation was successful but the doctors declared, “The Maharaja is dead.” Thus the hundredth tiger of wood took its revenge upon the Tiger King.

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In this lesson we do not find any direct comment about the indiscriminate killing of the innocent animals for our pleasure or sport. If we deeply peep into the lesson one can get his hidden sympathy for the animals. The Maharaja has killed ninety-nine tigers to ensure his safety but it is ironical that merely a wooden tiger becomes the cause of his death.

The author highlights that both the states of the Maharaja and his father-in-law have become extinct due to killing of tigers. Thus he has killed ninety-nine tigers but he is restless for the hundredth tiger. At last his dewan arranges for an old tiger that stands dumbly before the king. He takes a careful aim and fires. The tiger faints and falls but it has not died. Thus the author brings out the cruelty and heartlessness on the part of human beings. His wild behaviour stands exposed towards the innocent animals though none of the tigers has done any harm either to the king or any other person in his kingdom. But the king chooses to kill the tigers mercilessly.

The minions of the Maharaja try to remain most obedient, faithful and sincere towards him. They want to keep the Maharaja in good humour. Everyone is in a rat race to please the king. They show flattery and express their docile submission before the king. Even the Chief Astrologer is scared to tell the truth. He bites his lips and swallows hard.He cautions the king from the hundredth tiger. Simultaneously he challenges the Tiger King to tear up all his books on astrology in case the prediction proves wrong.

His dewan is also a faithful servant and shudders before the gun of the Maharaja. He is confused and babbles under pressure. The dewan follows the orders word by word and finds the right girl for the king. When the king shows his utmost anger for a tiger, the dewan arranges for a tiger. Even the shop-keeper is a perfect blend of flattery, cunningness, cleverness and faithfulness. Though the wooden tiger has a bare cost of two annas only but he bargains for three hundred rupees since he has the fear of being punished under emergency rules. Thus, one can find a series of people who try their best to please the king in all possible ways.

Same is true with today's political order. People remain bowed before them without keeping in view the requisite rules and regulations. A mere word from their month is taken to be completed at any cost. They do not have the courage to follow and advise the truth. They have become selfish and so they flatter their seniors.

Even in the present time one can see many examples of game-hunting among the rich and the powerful people around the world. In India affluent people kill innocent animals for fun, frolic and egoistic pleasure. In the state of Rajasthan, the hunting of the black bustard has been banned under the law and these animals are on the verge of extinction. But none bothers for the law and cases of hunting the black bustards in Rajasthan are very much available by Sheikhs. We cannot remain unknown about the killing of rare black bustards by Salmam Khan. Even the news of the greater cricketer Mansur Ali Pataudi is known for all who kills innocent animals in Haryana for his sportive ego.

Still one can glance at the news of illegal poachers and dealers who are engaged in animal skins and their bones business. The illegal killing of tigers in Ranthambore and other tiger reserves go unabated. These illegal killings need strictest type of punishment.

Our mother earth is under constant threat for vitiation due to cutting of forests, ugliness, degradation of environment, pollution, industrial and other wastes as well as noises, etc. We are vacating the forest lands and killing the wild animals for inhabiting a large number of increasing population. The global warming, gases, ammunition, bombs, atomic energy, deforestation, invention of fatal weapons and so many innumerable innovations have put in danger not only the human beings but also the nature.

It has become necessary to evolve a new system to save the ecology. We all are alive because of the balance in nature. Once it gets imbalanced, the survival of the living beings will come in danger. It is the relationship between the biological and non-biological factors that maintains the life on the earth. To maintain this balance, man should keep in view the importance of every factor of ecology before causing any harm to it. The indiscriminate killing of animals and cutting of plants and exploitation of other natural resources will endanger the existence of man itself. Therefore, such activities like hunting, deforestation, wastage of water, etc. which can cause the imbalance in the nature should be made a punishable offence.

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was known as the Tiger King. He had several designated names but his name is shortened to the Tiger King. He had killed about hundred tigers when he was born, the astrologers predicted that he would be killed by a tiger. On growing up, he took a row to kill one hundred tigers and started killing them. Thus he came to be known as the Tiger King.

The astrologers predicted that the newly-born prince will grow up to become the hero of the heroes, brave of the bravest and a great warrior. He also predicted that the baby was born in the hour of the bull. The bull and the tiger were enemies. Therefore, he would die because of the tiger.

The astrologers predicted that the child would grow up to become the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes and the champion of champions. But one day he would meet his doom since he was born in the hour of bull. At this the ten day old baby spoke out, “All those who are born will have to die one day. There could be no sense if they would tell the manner of death.” These words from the infact shocked, surprised and stunned all.

The royal infant spoke in the terrifing words: “All those who are born will one day have to die. There is nothing new in it”. He asked the manner of death. On hearing these words, the chief astrologer placed his finger on his nose in wonder. He fixed his eyes on the little prince and told,“The prince is born in the hour of the bull. The bull and the tiger are enemies. Therefore, the death comes from the tiger.”

The young prince Jung Jung Bahadur was brought up in an English environment. He grew taller and stronger day by day. The boy drank the milk of an English cow. There was an English governess to look after him. He was tutored in English by English man. He saw only English movies. At that time, the state had been with the court of wards. At the age of twenty, he took the reins of his state in his hands.

In the state people started discussing the astrologer's prediction about the death of a Maharaja by a tiger. Slowly it reached his ears as well. There were many forests in his state. They were infected with the tigers. One could even kill a cow in his self-defence. So there was no objection in killing tigers. The Maharaja started out on a tiger hunt and very soon he was able to kill the first tiger.

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The Maharaja was extremely thrilled on killing the first tiger and he sent it for the state astrologer for his reaction. The astrologer told that Maharaja may kill ninety-nine tigers in the same manner but he must be careful while killing the hundredth tiger. His death will be from a tiger. If it does not happen he will tear his books and cut his tuft.

In order to disprove the predictions of the astrologers, the Maharaja decided to kill the hundred tigers himself. As a result of this, proclamation was made that if any one even who dared to throw a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated. He did not want others to reduce the tiger population by hunting. He even decided not to attend other matters of his kingdom till he had killed hundred tigers.

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The Maharaja was well prepared to get his wish fully materialised. But during his hunting expedition, he had to face certain dangers. There were times when the bullet missed its mark. If so happened that a tiger leapt upon him. He had to fight the wild as well as the violent beast with his bare hands. But each time it was the Maharaja who won.

A high-ranking British officer visited the forest of Pratibandapuram to hunt a tiger with the photograph. The Maharaja refused him permission to hunt the tiger. The king thought that other British officers could come if he allowed him. Consequently, the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his kingdom.

One time, a high ranking British officer’s secretary sent word that the Durai wanted a photograph of himself holding the gun and standing over the tiger’s carcase. The actual killing would be done by the Maharaja. Out of self respect, the Maharaja refused him permission because he had banned the killing of tigers in his state.

Once the kingdom of the Maharara came under the danger of being lost his kingdom since the British officer demanded to hunt a tiger. The Maharaja refused the permission and had the fear of losing his kingdom. He sent for the samples of expensive diamand rings from jeweller in Calcutta. He sent 50 rings as a gift for the good lady of the British officer. He expected her to choose one or two rings but the lady kept all of them. The Maharaja had to pay Rs. three lacs but he was happy for not losing his throne.

The Maharaja was awfully happy at his successful hunting of the tigers. In his state forests, he was able to kill seventy tigers during the period of ten years. Consequently, the tiger population became extinct in the forests of Pratibandapuram. No one knew if they pratcised both birth control and committed harakiri. Thus the king became troubled for not finding any tiger in his forests.

The Maharaja had killed all the tigers in the forests of Pratibandapuram and they had become extinct. He had still to kill thirty more tigers. So the Maharaja decided to marry a girl from a royal family who lived in an estate that had a lot of tigers. His wish was fulfilled and he married accordingly.

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At the strict warning given by the Maharaja, the Dewan saw the tiger and brought it from the People's Park in Madras. He hit it in his house. At midnight when the town slept in peace, the Dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the seat. He drew the car to the forest and forcibly pushed it down to the ground in the forest where the Maharaja was hunting.

The Tiger King had killed 99 tigers and the nearby forests had become totally extinct with tigers. But he had to fulfil his vow of killing one hundred tigers. We warned his ministers and Dewan to arrange for the hundred tiger otherwise they should be ready to face the consequences. His Dewan arranged for a tiger from the People’s Park in Madras. The King fired and it collapsed. Thinking it dead, the king declared his victory. When the solders came, they found it alive. Then they killed it.

The Maharaja aimed at the hundredth tiger and it fell in a crumpled heap. He was over come with elation. He ordered his men to bring the tiger in the capital ina grand procession. He also hastened away in his car to celebrate his victory. The dead tiger was taken in procession through the town and buried. A tomb was erected over it.

When it became impossible to find out the hundredth tiger, the anger of the Maharaja flew at its height. He called the dewan and ordered him to double the land tax forthwith. At this the dewan advised the king that the people would become discontented. The state would fall a prey to the Indian National Congress. But the king did not relent and asked him to resign.

After killing hundred tigers, the Maharaja turned his attention towards his child. The third birthday of his son was to be celebrated. So he wanted to give his son a special gift on his birthday. He went from shop to shop for an excellent gift. Ultimately a toy-shop attracted his attention and he decided to gift his son with a wooden tiger. He took it away with him.

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The Maharaja got a wooden but rough gift of a tiger from a shop which was made by an unskilled carpenter. It had small slivers of wood on its surface. While playing with his son with the tiger, a sliver got pricked in his right hand. He pulled it out but infection spread all over the arm. After the operation, the doctors said, “The operation is successful but the Maharaja is dead.” Thus, a small toy-tiger caused the death of the Tiger King and took its revenge upon the king.

The Maharaja was fully determined to kill the hundredth tiger but it was not available. The Dewan pleadged that the people will becocome discontented but the Maharaja asked him to resign. Thinking the result most catastrophic, the Dewan decided to give up his own tiger to be killed by the Maharaja.

The Maharaja was very much anxious and kill the hundredth tiger because it was predicted by the astrologer that he should be more careful from the hundredth tiger as he would die because of the tiger. To falsify the prediction, the Maharaja was keenly ambitious to kill the hundredth tiger. Consequently he killed ninety -nine tigers and his dewan arranged for the last tiger. The Maharaja aimed at it but it fainted. Later on the guards killed it.

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was a brave, resolute, determined, courageous and a firm ruler of his state. When he was born, the astrologers had predicted his death with a tiger. But the baby had something miraculous quality in him. He was only of ten days, he challenged the prediction of the astrologers and asked them the manner of the death. They told that he was destined to be killed by a tiger some day.

The Crown Prince was brought up in English environment. He grew up a tall, sturdy, brave and strong man. He become the king of his state at the age of twenty. He was determined to fulfil his pledge. So he issued a proclamation not to kill the tigers except by himself. The lawbreakers would be taken to task and their properties would be confiscated. Being a man of firm determination and self-respect, he denied permission to the British officer to hunt a tiger. He had to pay a high price to retain his throne. In between ten years, he killed seventy tigers and his forests became extinct. Then he married a princess whose father had large forest cover full of tigers. There he killed twenty-nine tigers but the hundredth one fainted due to the shock of the bullet. His hunters came there and killed it. Thus he fulfilled his vow. In between he did not adhere to the welfare of his subjects. Thus it can be said that he was a brave, courageous king that lacked worldly wisdom.

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At the birth of the Tiger King, the astrologers predicted that the Crown Prince was born in the hour of the Bull. Since the Bull and the Tiger are both core enemies, the King would be certainly killed by a tiger.

When the king came of the age, he took over the charge in his hands. The prediction was also heard by his ears. He killed a tiger and sent for the astrologer who in turn advocated that the killing of one tiger was not enough. It did not mean that the King was safe. He might kill ninety-nine tigers in this way but there is dire need of caution while killing the hundredth one. Consequently, the King decided to kill one hundred tigers. In ten years he killed all the seventy tigers of his forests. Thus the forests became extinct of the tigers.

Even he married a princess whose father had a lot of tigers in his forest. Therefore, he killed all the tigers there and their number came to be ninety-nine. The King was much perturbed for the hundredth tiger. His dewan somehow arranged for the hundredth tiger. The king shot at it and it collapsed but did not die. The king did not know the reality. Thinking himself safe, he was happy and brought a wooden tiger as the birthday present for his son. It had tiny sliver on its surface. One such sliver pierced his hand but was pulled out. Still the infection spread in his complete hand and he died. In this way the hundredth tiger was the wooden one that killed the king. Thus the prediction proved to be true.

The King had made a firm resolution to kill hundred tigers that he could live safely without having any danger to his life. Consequently, he issued a proclamation that none would either kill or harm the tigers in his kingdom. Even the King warned that if anyone dared fling a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated. At one time, he was in the danger of losing his throne. A high ranking British officer visited Pratibandapurm as desired for being photographed with the tiger, he had shot. But the Maharaja refused permission to hunt the tiger there. He thought the other British officers might make similar request and it could cost his throne even.

It between the British officer's secretary sent a word that the Durai himself was interested in a photograph with a gun and by standing over the tiger's caracass. But the Maharaja did not accede to it. Naturally it had displeased the British officer. In order to resolve the issue, the Maharaja held deliberations over this issue. As a result he sent for samples of diamond rings in Calcutta. He would send them to the British Duraisani. The rings arrived and were sent to her with the hope that she would choose one or two ring and return the rest. Within no time she sent a reply thanking the king for his gifts. The king was happy but he had to pay three lakh rupees for these rings.

The long had killed ninety-nine tigers. No tiger remained even in his father-in-law’s kingdom. He was deeply worried as he became very anxious and restless to kill the hundredth tiger. Then alone he could believe the astrologer’s sooth saying. Soon a good news came to him from a village in his kingdom. The sheep had started disappearing there. He sent his people to look for the tiger and soon went to stay in the forest to find and kill the tiger in vain.

Then his Dewan brought a tiger from the Madras circus and left the old tiger in the forest secretly. The Tiger king hit the tiger with the bullet of his gun. He became overjoyed on hearing that he had killed the hundredth tiger. He told his soldiers to bring the tiger to his palace. He thought he had disproved the predictions of the astrologers. The soldiers found the tiger alive. The Tiger king had missed the target. To keep everything a close secret, the soldiers killed the tiger and brought to pratibandapuram. The king became carefree now. In this way, his worries came to an end.

The writer has dealt the serious facts in a very humorous and lighter mood. In the very beginning one can see the astrologer's prediction that the baby would be the warrior of warriors and the champion of champions after becoming adult but he would die some day. At this the ten day old baby asked the astrologers the manner of death. The chief astrologer told that he would die from a tiger. If that did not happen, he would tear his books and get his tuft cut. Side by side one can note that the prince is brought up in an English environment under the care of an English nurse.

After having taken the rein of his state, the king starts killing the tigers. In between a high ranking British officer expresses his desire to get himself with a dead tiger so as to brag of his bravery. To save his throne, he has to send rare samples of precious fifty diamond rings to the Englishman's wife. The greedy woman keeps the whole lot. He marries a royal daughter whose father has forests with large tiger population. One can note deep humour and satire in these facts. Then the dewan arranges for a tiger lest he should lost his job. The king is much happy to kill the hundredth tiger but he does not know the truth of its survival. As luck would have it, he purchases a wooden tiger to gift his son.

But this wooden tiger becomes the cause of this mighty Tiger King. Thus we can agree that all these details are humorously presented with an under current of satire and irony in the story ‘The Tiger King.’

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram had killed one hundred tigers. Tigers dominated his life since birth. Therefore, he was known as the Tiger King. The astrologers had predicted that he would be the Champion of Champions but the tiger would be the cause of his death. As soon as he took the reins of his throne, at the age of twenty,he killed a tiger. The astrologer warned him to be careful from the hundredth tiger. In ten years he killed seventy tigers and his native forest became extinct with tigers.

The Maharaja married a royal girl from a state with a large tiger population. Whenever he visited his father-in-law’s kingdom, he would kill five or six tigers every time. The place became extinct with tigers when he had killed ninety nine tigers. The Diwan arranged for the hundredth tiger. The king fired at it but failed to kill it. It only fainted. The king thought that he had killed it. Later, the hunter killed it.

The king purchased a wooded tiger to offer to his son as birthday present. Its sliver pierced the Maharaja’s right hand. It is ironical that infection spread and the king died. Thus the prediction came true.

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was a brave, resolute and a firm ruler of his state. When he was born the astrologers predicted his death with a tiger. But the new bom baby had some miraculous quality in him. He was only of ten days, he challenged the prediction of the astrologers and asked then the manner of his death. The chief astrologer told his death from a tiger.

When the king came of the age, he took over the charge in his hands. He also heard the prediction through his own ears. He killed a tiger and sent for the astrologer who in turn advocated that it did not mean that the king was safe. He must be careful from the hundredth tiger. So the king decided to kill one hundred tigers. In the first ten years he killed seventy tigers of his forests. Then he married a Princess whose father had a lot of tigers in the forest. There he killed all the tigers and their number came to be ninety-nine. The king was deeply disturbed for the hundredth tiger. Somehow his dewan arranged for the hundredth tiger. The king was happy and shot at it. The tiger collapsed but did not die. The king was ignorant about this reality. Later on it was killed by his soldiers. In this way the king achieved his target of killing a hundred tigers.

When the king was born, the astrologer made a prophecy that someday the king would be killed by the hundredth tiger while encountering it. The king made every effort to disprove the astrologer’s prophecy. To ensure, he killed a hundred tigers. Astonishingly, the prophecy can’t be indisputably disproved as the king was ultimately killed by a tiger, though neither by a real one nor by the hundredth one. The hundredth tiger, which was weak and lifeless, escaped the Maharaja’s bullet by fainting at the shock of the bullet whizzing past. It was the “tiny little wooden tiger” from the toy shop that caused the death of Tiger King. Hence, its death is a matter of great interest.

When the Maharaja was born, the astrologer had predicted that he would be killed by a tiger. After he grew up, the astrologer made a prediction that he would be killed by the hundredth tiger. The Maharaja proclaimed that he would disprove this prediction. But, he was threatened deep down the heart. His belief in superstition urged him to kill a hundred tigers. He started killing the tigers in his kingdom. Soon, he succeeded in killing them all.
In fact, he married a girl from a kingdom that had a high tiger population so that he could have more tigers to kill and on account of reaching the count of the number. After he shot the hundredth tiger, he was assured that he had killed 100 tigers and so now he was safe. As luck would have it, he had only wounded the 100th tiger. The biggest irony was that he was killed by a wooden tiger while playing with his son. His arm became septic after it was injured by a rough surface protruding out. Eventually, the infection spread rapidly and the king died. Destiny avenged the death of all the tigers the Maharaja had killed.

The tiger king prevented a British officer from fulfilling his desire, the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his kingdom itself. Once, a high-ranking British officer, who was very fond of hunting tigers, visited Pratibandhapuram. He expressed his wish to hunt tigers in Pratibandhapuram. But, Maharaj refused permission. The British officer’s secretary sent word to the Maharaja through the dewan that he only wanted a photograph with the dead tiger. The Maharaja could do the actual killing. But the Maharaja would not agree even to this proposal. He thought that if he relented now, he would be in a difficult situation if the other British officers turned up for tiger hunts. So, in order to please the British Officer

And retain his kingdom he had to gift expensive diamond rings worth three lakh rupees to the lady of the British officer.

The king of Pratibandhapuram came to be known as the ‘Tiger king’ because his whole life revolved around the tigers and their killing. When he was born, the astrologers made a prophecy about his death. They said that the Maharaja’s death would be caused by the hundredth tiger. When the Maharaja got to know about it, he was determined to kill hundred tigers to belie the astrologer’s prophecy. This shows that the Maharaja also believed in the superstition. Unconsciously, the fear of death had given him the courage to prove the prophecy wrong.
After killing all the tigers in his kingdom, he decided to marry a princess whose state had a large tiger population so that he could get hundred tigers to kill. As luck would have it, he shot the hundredth tiger but didn’t ensure that the tiger was dead. That tiger was still alive. Ironically, his death was caused by a wooden tiger. The Maharaja bought a wooden tiger to gift his son. While playing with his son and his wooden tiger, a rough surface pierced the Maharaja’s hand causing an infection that later led to his death. The superstitious belief prevailed as the hundredth tiger became the reason behind the Maharaja's death.