{"id":867004,"date":"2025-08-27T14:23:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/?p=867004"},"modified":"2025-08-27T14:23:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:53:36","slug":"ncert-solutions-class-11-english-woven-words-poem-12-ajamil-and-the-tigers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/school-education\/ncert-solutions-class-11-english-woven-words-poem-12-ajamil-and-the-tigers\/","title":{"rendered":"NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers (Free PDF)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This section provides NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers, designed to deepen students\u2019 understanding of the poem\u2019s theme on power dynamics,  fear, and coexistence. The solutions analyse the poem\u2019s themes, tone, and poetic devices, helping students in effective exam preparation. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poem 1<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Poem 2<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Poem 3<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Poem 4<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers, crafted to enhance comprehension of the poem\u2019s themes, imagery, and emotional depth for effective revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNDERSTANDING THE POEM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. The poem has a literal level and a figurative level. Why has the poet chosen \u2018tigers\u2019 and \u2018sheep\u2019 to convey his message?<\/strong>
    On a literal level, the poem narrates a humorous encounter between Ajamil, a shepherd, and tigers, resolved through a \u201cfriendship treaty.\u201d Figuratively, the tigers represent powerful, predatory forces, such as political or societal elites, while the sheep symbolise the vulnerable masses. The poet, Arun Kolatkar, chooses these animals to convey his message because tigers evoke fear and authority, as seen in their initial threat to the flock, while sheep signify innocence and defenselessness, as in \u201cbefore they could get their paws \/ on a single sheep.\u201d This contrast highlights power imbalances in society, with the tigers\u2019 defeat and Ajamil\u2019s diplomacy satirising how the powerful can be outwitted by the seemingly weak, promoting coexistence over conflict.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. What facet of political life does the behaviour of Ajamil illustrate?<\/strong>
      Ajamil\u2019s behaviour illustrates the facet of political life where strategic diplomacy and pragmatism prevail over confrontation. By pretending to believe the tiger king\u2019s lies, as in \u201cpretended to believe every single word,\u201d and offering hospitality with \u201clamb chops and the roast,\u201d Ajamil diffuses a potentially violent situation. His actions reflect a politician\u2019s or leader\u2019s ability to navigate power dynamics through tact and generosity, ensuring peace by addressing the needs of both the powerful (tigers) and the vulnerable (sheep). This culminates in the \u201cfriendship treaty\u201d and gifts of \u201csheep, leather jackets and balls of wool,\u201d symbolising compromise to maintain harmony, a common strategy in political negotiations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Why have the words, \u2018pretended\u2019 and \u2018seemed\u2019 been used in the lines: …pretended to believe every single word of what the tiger king said. And seemed to be taken in by all the lies. How does the sense of these lines connect with the line \u2018Ajamil wasn\u2019t a fool\u2019?<\/strong>
        The words \u201cpretended\u201d and \u201cseemed\u201d in the lines \u201cpretended to believe every single word \/ of what the tiger king said\u201d and \u201cseemed to be taken in by all the lies\u201d suggest that Ajamil is deliberately feigning naivety to maintain peace. These words imply that he is fully aware of the tiger king\u2019s deceit, as the king claims a \u201cmisunderstanding\u201d to cover his predatory intent. This connects to \u201cAjamil wasn\u2019t a fool\u201d because it underscores his wisdom and strategic thinking. By choosing to ignore the sheep dog\u2019s \u201cfrantic signs\u201d and accepting the lies, Ajamil avoids conflict, demonstrating that his apparent gullibility is a calculated move to ensure harmony, not a sign of foolishness.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Why did Ajamil refuse to meet the sheepdog\u2019s eyes?<\/strong>
          Ajamil refuses to meet the sheep dog\u2019s eyes, as in \u201crefused to meet his eyes,\u201d because he is deliberately ignoring the dog\u2019s honest signals of disgust at the tiger king\u2019s lies. The sheep dog, described as one \u201cwho had never told a lie in his life,\u201d is frustrated by the deception, but Ajamil chooses diplomacy over confrontation. By avoiding the dog\u2019s gaze, Ajamil maintains his pretence of believing the tigers\u2019 false claim of friendship, as seen in \u201cpretended to believe every single word.\u201d This action reflects his strategic decision to prioritise peace and coexistence over exposing the truth, ensuring a non-violent resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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          1. \u2018He is free to play a flute all day as well fed tigers and fat sheep drink from the same pond with a full stomach for a common bond.\u2019 What do the phrases \u2018play the flute all day\u2019 and \u2018a common bond\u2019 refer to?<\/strong>
            The phrase \u201cplay the flute all day\u201d refers to Ajamil\u2019s freedom and tranquillity as a shepherd, achieved through his successful diplomacy, allowing him to live without fear of conflict. It symbolises a carefree, harmonious life, as he has ensured peace between the tigers and sheep. The phrase \u201ca common bond\u201d refers to the mutual satisfaction and harmony between the tigers and sheep, as seen in \u201cwell-fed tigers and fat sheep drink from the same pond.\u201d This bond is forged through Ajamil\u2019s generosity, providing food and gifts to meet the tigers\u2019 needs, creating a shared interest in coexistence based on fulfilled needs, or a \u201cfull stomach.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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            1. The poem is a satire against the present political class. How effectively does it convey the anger and anguish of the common man trapped in the system?<\/strong>
              The poem effectively conveys the anger and anguish of the common man through its satirical portrayal of the tiger king and the \u201ctiger people\u201d as arrogant, deceptive figures of authority, representing the political class. The tigers\u2019 initial threat and the king\u2019s boastful plan to \u201cteach that sheep dog a lesson\u201d reflect the common man\u2019s fear of oppressive power. The anguish is captured in Ajamil\u2019s vulnerable position, protecting his flock against a seemingly overwhelming force. However, the satire lies in the tigers\u2019 humiliating defeat and their feeble lies, as in \u201cWe were coming to see you as friends,\u201d which mocks the hypocrisy of those in power. Ajamil\u2019s diplomacy, offering a treaty and gifts, reflects the common man\u2019s need to navigate such systems strategically, highlighting both frustration with deceitful leaders and hope for resolution through wisdom, making the critique sharp yet optimistic.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Also Read:<\/strong> NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 1 A Photograph (Free PDF)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              TRY THIS OUT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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              1. Find out the difference between these literary forms:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                 (a) fable (b) allegory (c) satire.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n