The Tiger King Kalki | Class 12 English Notes

II

This section narrates the childhood and early adulthood of Crown Prince Jung Jung Bahadur. Raised in a typical royal manner with English influences—milk from an English cow, an English nanny, English tutor, and exposure to English films—the prince's upbringing reflects colonial India's aristocratic lifestyle. At twenty, he assumes control of the state from the Court of Wards. Despite his modern upbringing, the astrologer's ominous prediction about his death remains in the background, influencing his actions. The Maharaja begins tiger hunting, motivated partly by the prophecy and partly by the thrill of the hunt. His first kill exhilarates him, and he challenges the astrologer, who warns him to be cautious with the hundredth tiger. This section highlights the Maharaja's growing obsession with tiger hunting, his defiance of fate, and the cultural context of colonial India. It also introduces the tension between traditional beliefs and modern influences.

📊 Diagram: No specific diagram, but the text references the Maharaja's growing stature and his hunting expeditions, evoking images of royal hunts and colonial-era princely states.

🧪 Activity: Discuss how colonial influences affected Indian royalty and their lifestyles.

🔗 Connection: Leads to the Maharaja's increasing tiger hunts and the state's response in the next section.