THE TIGER KING

By Kalki
 RAMASWAMY KRISHNAMURTHY

Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy ( 9th

September, 1899- 5th December, 1954)
,better known by his pen name Kalki,
was an Indian writer, journalist, poet,
critic and Indian independence
activist.
 The Tiger King
Part l
• The Maharaja of Pratibandhapuram is the hero of the story.
• He may be identified as His Highness Jamedar- General, Khiledar-Major, Data Vyaghra Samhari,
Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur.
• But this name is often shortened to the Tiger King.
• Suddenly an astonishing phrase emerged from the lips of the ten- day old baby “o wise prophets”
• Everyone stood transfixed in stupefaction.
• Again the phrase was repeated and in no doubt the people understood that it is the ten day old
infant who uttered those words so clearly.
• The chief astrologer took his spectacles and gazed intently bat the baby. The astrologer placed his
finger on his nose in wonder.
• The chief astrologer explained, “ the prince was born in the hour of Bull, the bull and the tiger are
enemies. Therefore, death comes from the tiger”
• As soon as the king heard it pronounced, terrifying words emerged from his lips, “ Let tigers
beware”.
 Part ll

• The crown prince grew taller and stronger day by day.

• The boy drank the milk of an English cow, was brought up by an English nanny,
tutored in English by an Englishman, saw nothing but English films.
• At the age of twenty, the state which had been under the court of wards until then,
came in to his hands.
• After killing the first tiger, the Maharaja sent the dead body to the astrologer.
• The astrologer said, “’your majesty may kill ninety- nine tigers in exactly the same
manner”.
• “ What if the hundredth tiger were also killed?”
• The astrologer said, “ Then I will tear up all my books on astrology, set fire to
them,I shall cut off my tulf l crop my hair short and become an insurance agent”
Read and find out:

1. Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?

2. What did the royal infant grow up to be?