By smartcubs “The Tiger King” is a fascinating story by Kalki Krishnamurthy about a whimsical and powerful ruler, the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, also known as the Tiger King. This tale highlights the absurdities and extremes of his character, driven by a prophecy about his death.
Early Life and Prophecy
- Birth and Prediction: When the Tiger King was born, astrologers predicted that he would be killed by a tiger. This prophecy set the course for his life.
- Royal Upbringing: Raised in luxury, he drank milk from an English cow, was looked after by an English nanny, and was taught by an English tutor. His early life was filled with English influences, shaping his personality.
Ascension to the Throne
- Becoming King: At the age of twenty, he became the king of Pratibandapuram. Upon learning about the prophecy, he decided to defy it by killing a hundred tigers.
Determination and Actions
- Tiger Hunt: The Tiger King began his mission to kill a hundred tigers to avoid his predicted fate. He issued a proclamation forbidding anyone else from killing tigers in his kingdom. Violators would face severe consequences, including the seizure of their property.
- Killing Tigers: Over ten years, he managed to kill seventy tigers. When the tigers in his kingdom became extinct, he married a princess from a state with many tigers to continue his hunt.
Dealing with Threats
- British Officer: A high-ranking British officer wanted to hunt tigers in his state. The Tiger King refused, risking his kingdom. To appease the officer, he sent fifty diamond rings worth three lakh rupees to the officer’s wife.
- Dewan’s Help: When he couldn’t find the hundredth tiger, the Dewan (a senior courtier) arranged for an old, weak tiger to be brought from a zoo. The king shot the tiger, believing he had fulfilled his vow.
Irony and Death
- Fateful Toy: The Tiger King bought a wooden tiger for his son’s third birthday. A tiny sliver from the toy pierced his hand, leading to an infection. Despite an operation by renowned surgeons, he died from this infection.
- Irony: The prophecy came true in an unexpected way. Although he killed ninety-nine tigers, a wooden tiger, indirectly related to his mission, caused his death.
Personality Traits
- Fearless and Stubborn: The Tiger King was fearless and determined to defy his fate. His stubbornness led him to extreme actions, such as banning others from hunting tigers and risking his kingdom’s safety.
- Obsessive and Eccentric: His obsession with killing tigers showed his eccentricity. He went to great lengths, including marrying for convenience, to achieve his goal.
- Lack of Wisdom: Despite his bravery, he lacked wisdom and foresight. His actions often endangered his subjects and showed a disregard for their welfare.
Relationship with Others
- Subjects and Dewan: He was a strict ruler, often imposing heavy taxes and severe punishments. His Dewan, though sensible, was often comically portrayed as trying to manage the king’s whims.
- British Officials: He navigated relationships with British officials carefully, sometimes using bribes to maintain his kingdom’s autonomy.
Legacy
The Tiger King’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the folly of power and the consequences of obsession. His life, driven by a prophecy, ultimately ended ironically, underscoring the theme of fate versus free will.
In summary, the Tiger King was a complex character marked by bravery, stubbornness, eccentricity, and ultimately, a lack of wisdom that led to his ironic downfall.