MANAN VIDYA

SESSION 2024-2025

ENGLISH PROJECT
WORK
TOPIC :- “ The Tiger King”

SUBMITTED BY :- SUBMITTED TO :- Jessy Samuel

NAME : DEEPAK YADAV
CLASS : XII ‘B’
ROLL NO. : 1234567890
 CERTIFICATE
This is to Certify that DEEPAK YADAV of
class XII "B’' of Manan Vidya School has
successfully completed the English project on
the topic " The Tiger King’’ as
prescribed by the CBSE Board for the
Academic Year 2024-25 It is further certified
that the project is Individual Work of the
Candidate.

External's Signature -:

Internal's Signature-:

Principal’s Signature-:
 INDEX
S CONTENTS PAGE REMARKS
NO.
1 COVER PAGE 1

2 CERTIFICATE 2

3 INDEX 3

4 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 4

5 OBJECTIVE OF THE 5
PROJECT
6 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 6

7 INTRODUCTION 7

8 TITLE JUSTIFICATION 8

9 THEME 9-10

10 CHARACTER SKETCH 11-13

11 SUMMARY 14-18

12 CONCLUSION 19

13 BIBLIOGRAPHY 20

14 TEACHER’S REMARK 21
 Acknowledgement
I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Neeraj sir
for his tremendous support and assistance in the
completion of my project. I would also like to thank him
for providing me with this wonderful opportunity to work
on a project with the topic “The Tiger King”
.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and
teachers who helped me in finalizing this project in limited
time frame.
 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The objective of The Tiger King, a story by Kalki, in the Class 12

English curriculum is to expose the absurdity of human pride,
arrogance, and the consequences of unchecked power.
Through the character of the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram,
who is obsessed with defying a prophecy about his death
caused by a tiger, the story reveals the follies of rulers who
misuse power for personal satisfaction, ignoring broader
responsibilities and the welfare of others.

The story also critiques the ego-driven motives and irrational

fears of the powerful and highlights the consequences of such
actions on both the individual and the environment. It
encourages students to reflect on the misuse of power, the
irrational human desire to control fate, and the exploitation of
nature, making it relevant to themes of ethical responsibility,
leadership, and environmental consciousness.
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
~ Kalki

The Tiger King is a story written by Ramaswamy

Krishnamurthy popularly known as Kalki. Kalki is his pen
name. He is a Tamil writer, journalist and Indian
independence activist who was born on 9 September 1899
and died on 5 December 1954. This story is a satire on the
pride and stubbornness of the people who are in control or
are in power. This story takes us back to the days when
India was under the rule of the kings and queens who in
turn were under colonial rule. These rulers were autocratic
and eccentric. They were indifferent or negligent towards
their public duties and responsibilities and devoted less
time for the public's welfare. They rather invested their
time in foolish pursuits and flouted and twisted rules and
orders to fulfill their selfish interests.
 INDRODUCTION

The story ‘The Tiger King’ is a satire on the pride and stubbornness of
those in power. The writer takes us to the days of autocratic and
eccentric kings. These kings lived under the thumb rule of British,
hence they fear them. Most of the time the rulers were not interested
in serving the people and working for the welfare of the public; instead
they spent their time in foolish pursuits. They flouted all laws and bent
them to suit their selfish interests. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram
tried to belie what was written in his fate. The chief astrologer had
predicted that the cause of his death would be a tiger. The King tried
his best to belie the prediction. His campaign of tiger-hunting was very
successful. All his strategies and wise plans worked till he killed 99
tigers. But the hundredth tiger eluded him till his death. The irony of
fate brings quite an unexpected end of the Maharaja. The hero who
killed ninety-nine tigers couldn’t kill the only one that was left. The last
tiger he thought to be dead survived. The King’s bullet had missed its
mark. Ironically, the hundredth tiger which caused his death was not a
ferocious beast of blood and flesh. It was a wooden tiger. One of the
slivers of wood pierced his right hand and caused infection and a
suppurating sore. It ultimately led to his death.
 JUSTIFICATION OF TITLE

Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the king of Pratibanda Puram, is

known as the Tiger King. Ten days after his birth, a renowned
astrologer prophesied that his death comes from the Tiger.
After he became the king of Pratibanda Puram and got to know
about the prediction related to his death, he went on a tiger killing
spree. He killed about seventy tigers within ten years. He was so
caught up with reaching his target of killing one hundred tigers
to disprove the prophecy that all other matters took a back-seat.
This was how he got to be known as the Tiger King.
 THEME
The story "Tiger King" by Kalki Krishnamurthy is a satirical
tale that explores the themes of power, corruption, and the
destructive consequences of unchecked ambition. Set in the
princely state of Pratibandapuram, the story revolves around the
eccentric character of Maharaja Virarajendra, who is obsessed
with hunting tigers.
1. The Obsession with Power and Control:
One of the central themes of the story is the obsession with
power and control. Maharaja Virarajendra's desire to be
recognized as the greatest hunter and ruler leads him to
seek dominion over not only his kingdom but also the
tigers inhabiting the nearby forests. He believes that by
controlling and killing tigers, he can establish his authority
and prowess.
2. The Corruption of Power:
As the story progresses, the theme of corruption becomes
increasingly evident. Maharaja Virarajendra, driven by his
obsession, starts misusing his power and authority. He
manipulates the British government, bribes officials, and
even resorts to illegal activities to fulfill his desire for
hunting tigers. This corruption highlights the negative
consequences of unchecked power and the erosion of
moral values.
3. The Destructive Nature of Ambition:
The story also explores the destructive nature of ambition.
Maharaja Virarajendra's relentless pursuit of becoming the
Tiger King ultimately leads to his downfall. His ambition
blinds him to the consequences of his actions, causing him
to lose the support and trust of his people, and even his
own family. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the
dangers of uncontrolled ambition and the havoc it can
wreak on individuals and society.
4. The Irony of Fate:
Another theme that emerges in "Tiger King" is the irony
of fate. Despite his obsession and efforts, Maharaja
Virarajendra never succeeds in killing a single tiger.
Instead, his actions inadvertently lead to the increase in
tiger population and the preservation of their habitat. The
irony lies in the fact that his ambition to become the Tiger
King ends up working against his own desires, further
emphasizing the futility of his pursuit.
 CHARACTER SKETCH
Tiger King

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur,

had many titles and sub-names. However, he was popular as the
Tiger King. When he was born, the astrologers had predicted his
death which would be caused by a tiger. But the baby had some
miraculous quality in him. He was only ten days old, when he
challenged the prediction of the astrologers and asked them the
manner of his death. The Chief astrologers foretold that he was
born in the hour of the Bull. The Bull and the Tiger are enemies.
Therefore his death would come from the Tiger.
The Crown Prince was brought up in an 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 fulfill
his pledge. So he issued a proclamation not to kill the tigers
except by himself. Being a man of firm determination and self-
respect, he denied permission to the British officer to hunt a tiger.
In return, he had to pay a high price to retain his throne. In a
duration of ten years, he killed seventy tigers and his forests
became extinct. Then he married a princess whose father had a
large forest cover full of tigers. There he killed more and reached
ninety-nine tigers but the hundredth one merely fainted due to
the shock of the bullet. His hunters came there and killed it.
 Thus the tiger king thought that he had fulfilled his vow. Thus it
can be said that he was a brave, courageous king but lacked
worldly wisdom.

Durai
Durai was a high ranking British officer. He was fond of hunting
tigers but his wish was declined by the king. He then requested
for getting a photograph with a tiger killed by maharaja and this
request of his was also rejected.

Duraisani
The ‘Duraisani’ was the wife of a high-ranking British officer who
visited Pratibandapuram. She had a lot of influence on her
husband. The Tiger King used her to avoid his kingdom being
confiscated by the British officer in response to being refused to
do tiger hunting in his kingdom. The Tiger King sent fifty
diamond rings as bribe to Duraisani expecting her to keep one
or two out of them and send the rest back. However, the
‘Duraisani’ turned out to be very greedy; she kept all the fifty
rings and sent a ‘thank you’ note to the king.

Chief Astrologer

The Chief Astrologer is an important character in the story as he

is the one who predicts the Tiger King’s fate.
He is also superstitious and believes in the power of astrology
and prophecy. He vows to burn his books and cut off his tuft in
case his prediction turned wrong.
 SUMMARY
THE BIRTH

The birth of the Tiger King is shrouded in mystery and legend.

According to the story, the newbom prince spoke his first words
at just 10 days old. During the prince's birth ceremony, the chief
astrologer predicted that the king would die from a tiger, as he
was born during the year of the Bull, which is an enemy of the
tiger. This news quickly spread throughout the kingdom,
causing widespread fear and apprehension. As the Tiger King
grew up, he was closely watched by his subjects who anxiously
awaited the fulfillment of the astrologer's prediction. Despite
the pervasive sense of foreboding, the Tiger King went on to
become one of the most celebrated rulers in the kingdom's
history, leaving a lasting legacy as a symbol of destiny and the
human spirit.

The Childhood days

During his teenage years, the prodigal prince's life was

uneventful, but the kingdom remained uneasy about the
prophecy made by the chief astrologer. The prince, determined
to lift the curse upon him, vowed to slay 100 tigers, but the
astrologer warned him to be cautious of the hundredth tiger.
After becoming king, he banned tiger hunting for everyone
except himself, recognizing the importance of preserving the
limited tiger population. This decision showcased the king's
wisdom, compassion and dedication for his goal, ensuring the
survival of the majesticcreatures for himself to slay and no one
other than him
THE TIGER HUNT

The King's quest to hunt tigers tested his physical and mental
limits. Despite occasional missed shots, he remained driven by
unwavering determination. The Maharaja's fearsomeness was
on full display as he engaged tigers in hand-to-hand combat,
emerging victorious. With every triumph, his confidence grew,
bringing him closer to his ultimate goal. His persistence and
unwavering commitment inspired awe and admiration, and
after many battles, he achieved his goal, becoming a legendary
symbol of strength and courage for generations As the King
continued to hunt tigers, his skills improved, and he learned to
anticipate their movements by understanding their habits and
behaviours. Despite facing tough challenges, the King's
unwavering determination never faltered, inspiring awe and
admiration among his subjects. His relentless pursuit of his
goal elevoted him to legend status, with his name becoming
synonymous with bravery and determination. After many long
and arduous weeks, the King achieved his ultimate triumph,
conquering the last of the tigers and proving to himself and
others the power of determination and perseverance.

FIRST COMPLICATION
The King's pursuit of his dream to hunt a hundred tigers was
not without its challenges. When a British officer arrived in
his state and requested permission to hunt the tigers, the King
knew that he could not allow anyone else to diminish his
chances of fulfilling his dream. He politely refused the
request, knowing that the tigers were a limited resource and
that allowing outsiders to hunt them would jeopardise his
own quest.

The British officer persisted, asking only for a picture with a

dead tiger and hunting gear. The King, however, saw through
the request and knew that the officer was only seeking publicity.
He feared that granting this request would attract more British
hunters to his state and put his own kingdom at risk. The King's
wisdom and foresight saved his kingdom from potential
disaster. He denied the request, knowing that it was not worth
the risk. Instead, he sent jewellery worth 3 lakhs at that time to
the British officer's wife, resolving the matter amicably. The
King's actions not only demonstrated his shrewdness and
resourcefulness but also his commitment to protecting his people
and his kingdom The incident became a testament to the King's
leadership and strategic thinking. He had not only pursued his
own dream but also protected his kingdom from unwanted
attention and interference. The King's legacy would endure not
only for his remarkable hunting skills but also for his ability to
navigate complex political situations and protect his people.

SECOND COMPLICATION
The King's dream to hunt a hundred tigers was not just a
personal ambition but also a matter of pride for his kingdom.
However, the limited number of tigers in his own kingdom
posed a significant challenge. After the unjust hunting of 70
tigers, the tiger population in Pratibandapuram had
significantly decreased, making it almost Impossible for the
King to fulfill his dream. The King realised that he needed to
think outside the box to achieve his goal. He called upon his
trusted minister, the Dewan, to help him to find a solution.
The King's ingenious plan was to seek a bride from a
kingdom with the highest number of tigers statistically.
The Dewan searched far and wide until he found the perfect
match for the King, a lady from a kingdom with a bountiful
tiger population. With his new wife's kingdom now his own,
the King had access to an abundance of tigers, and he could
continue his quest to hunt them down. Whenever he visited
his father-in-law, he would seize the opportunity to hunt
tigers, bringing him closer to achieving his lifelong dream.
The King's ability to solve problems through his ingenuity
and resourcefulness was a testament to his leadership skills.
He had not only fulfilled his personal ambition but also
preserved his kingdom's honor and pride. His legacy would
endure, not only for his remarkable hunting skills but also for
his ability to think strategically and solve complex problems.

THE FINAL HUNT

The King's obsession with hunting one hundred tigers had led
him down a path of selfishness and disregard for the lives of the
animals he sought to kill. Despite the limited population of tigers
in his own kingdom and the harm caused to their population by
his hunts, the King remained focused on his personal ambition.
When the final tiger proved elusive, the King became desperate
and offered the village redemption from taxes in exchange for
information on the tiger's whereabouts When the tiger was not
found, the King's fury led him to punish the entire village,
regardless of their innocence In a stroke of deceit, the Dewan
procured an old tiger from a zoo and released it in the field for
the King to hunt. The King's achievement was marred by the fact
that the tiger he shot was still alive when brought to him for a
ceremony and feast. Two men killed the tiger out of fear of the
King's wrath, and the King was content with his achievement,
showing little regard for the life he had taken. The King's
downfall came in the form of a wooden tiger gift for his son's
birthday,

which caused a fatal infection that ultimately led to his demise.

His selfish pursuit of personal ambition had blinded him to the
consequences of his actions and left a legacy of disregard for the
lives of animals and the well-being of his subjects. While the
King's determination and resourcefulness were admirable, his
disregard for the consequences of his actions and lack of empathy
for others serve as a cautionary tale. The King's legacy is one of
personal ambition at the expense of others, rather than of true
leadership and compassion. which caused a fatal infection that
ultimately led to his demise. His selfish pursuit of personal
ambition had blinded him to the consequences of his actions and
left a legacy of disregard for the lives of animals and the well-
being of his subjects. While the King's determination and
resourcefulness were admirable, his disregard for the
consequences of his actions and lack of empathy for others serve
as a cautionary tale. The King's legacy is one of personal ambition
at the expense of others, rather than of true leadership and
compassion.
 CONCLUSION
The story of "Tiger King" showcases several themes and values,
some of which include: The dangers of obsession and greed: The
main characters in the show are consumed by their desire for
power, fame, and wealth, leading to destructive behavior and
unethical actions. In conclusion, "Tiger King" by Kalki teaches
us valuable lessons about the dangers of uncontrolled ambition
and the importance of ethical choices. It reminds us that
pursuing power and success at any cost can have harmful
consequences, both for ourselves and for the world around us.
This cautionary tale encourages us to consider the impact of our
actions and to find a balance between our desires and our
responsibilities towards nature and society.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
For successfully completing my project file I have taken help
from the following website links :-
• www.google.com
• www.youtube.com
• www.wikepedia.com
• Google images
• www.brainly.com

BOOKS:-
• Vistas—NCERT Textbook
-: