Tiger King

1. Background

The Tiger King is a satirical short story written by Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy, known
by his pen name Kalki. Set in a fictitious princely state in pre-independence India, the story
critiques the absurdities of autocratic rule and blind superstition through the tale of the
King of Pratibandapuram. Kalki uses a whimsical tone to explore the ironies of fate and the
futility of human pride.

2. Significance of the Title

The title The Tiger King is both literal and ironic. It refers to the Maharaja’s obsession with
killing tigers to defy a prophecy of death by a tiger. Ironically, though he earns the title
through his hunt, he is ultimately defeated by a toy tiger, highlighting the futility of his
arrogance and the mockery of fate.

3. Humour and Language Used

The language in the story is rich in satire, irony, and exaggeration. Humour emerges from
the absurd situations, exaggerated self-importance of the king, and the narrator’s tongue-
in-cheek tone. The use of English idioms, mock-heroic descriptions, and ironic
commentary enhances the comic effect.

4. Major Themes and Their Significance

• Power and Arrogance: The king misuses his power for personal whims,
showing how absolute power corrupts.
• Superstition vs. Rationality: The king’s irrational belief in a prophecy guides
his actions, showcasing the dangers of blind faith.
• Irony of Fate: Despite his efforts, the king cannot escape his destined death,
underlining the limits of human control.
 • Environmental Concern: The killing of tigers for personal glory subtly hints at
ecological imbalance.

5. Character Sketches

a. Narrator:

The narrator is witty, sarcastic, and observant. He comments on events with a satirical
lens, exposing the absurdities of royal life and human behaviour.

b. The Tiger King:

A proud, whimsical, and superstitious ruler, he seeks to defy fate by killing 100 tigers. He is
egotistical, determined, and self-serving, yet ironically powerless before destiny. His
character is a symbol of the flawed monarchic system.

c. Ministers of the Tiger King:

They are sycophantic, fearful, and unquestioning. They serve the king’s absurd desires
without resistance, symbolising how truth and morality are compromised under tyranny.

6. Significance of the Ending

The ending is deeply ironic. After successfully killing 99 tigers and believing he has escaped
death, the king dies due to an infected wound caused by a wooden toy tiger. It drives home
the futility of trying to outwit fate and highlights the story’s satirical tone.

7. Moral Message

The story conveys that arrogance, blind faith, and misuse of power lead to downfall. It
criticises authoritarian rule, superstitions, and human egotism, offering a lesson on
humility and rationality.
 8. Relevance in Today’s World

In the modern context, the story remains relevant as it mirrors how people in power often
prioritise image over substance. It cautions against irrational beliefs, environmental
destruction, and sycophancy in governance—issues still prevalent in contemporary
societies.

Short Questions

1. Why did the king go to such extreme lengths to avoid the prophecy?

→ The king feared death and was blinded by ego. He believed that by killing all tigers, he
could overpower fate, showcasing his irrational confidence and fear of mortality.

2. What role does irony play in the story?

→ Irony highlights the contradictions between the king’s actions and their outcomes.
Despite his efforts to escape fate, a harmless toy tiger kills him, emphasizing fate’s
inescapable power.

3. How do the ministers reflect the flaws in monarchy?

→ The ministers symbolize blind obedience. They never oppose the king, even when he acts
irrationally, revealing how monarchies suppress truth and promote sycophancy.

4. What is the significance of the toy tiger in the story?

→ The toy tiger, a harmless object, ironically becomes the cause of the king’s death. It
symbolises how trivial things can have fatal consequences and mocks the king’s false
sense of control.

5. How does the story portray environmental concerns?

→ The mass killing of tigers for ego reflects human interference in nature. It subtly warns
against ecological destruction and the imbalance it creates in natural systems.

Long Questions

1. How does the story ‘The Tiger King’ serve as a critique of power and authority?
→ The Tiger King is a powerful critique of absolute authority and its irrational outcomes. The
Maharaja, blinded by his desire to defy a prophecy, uses his royal power to massacre
innocent tigers. His ministers, fearing his wrath, blindly comply with his whims. The story
exposes how unchecked power breeds arrogance, irrational decisions, and sycophancy.
Instead of using his position for the welfare of his people or environment, the king focuses
solely on personal glory. His superficial understanding of fate and desperate efforts to
manipulate it result in a laughable yet tragic end. Through satire, Kalki warns how absolute
power often disconnects rulers from reason, morality, and reality.

2. Discuss the use of satire in the story and how it enhances the impact of the
narrative.

→ Satire is the central technique in The Tiger King, used effectively to expose the follies of
monarchy and human vanity. Kalki ridicules the absurdity of royal traditions, the blind belief
in astrology, and the unquestioning nature of courtiers. The exaggerated title, pompous
proclamations, and comic situations (like the king marrying for tigers or dying from a toy)
mock the seriousness with which the king treats trivial matters. This playful tone makes the
deeper message more impactful. Instead of moralising directly, the story invites readers to
laugh—and then reflect. The satire not only entertains but also sharpens criticism of
egotism, blind superstition, and the abuse of power.