## **Dashrath Manjhi: The Mountain Man***


Dashrath Manjhi, remembered throughout India as the *Mountain Man*, was a remarkable man whose life story is a testament to human willpower, love, and dedication. Born into a poor Musahar (Dalit) family in Gahlaur village, Gaya district, Bihar, Dashrath witnessed financial hardship, caste-based discrimination, and the hardships of life in India's villages. The Musahars were among the region's most backward communities, often forced to work without land and with few opportunities for advancement. Yet, from these difficult beginnings emerged a man who truly moved mountains.


             ### **Early Life and Struggles**

Dashrath was born in 1934. His family owned very little land, and like most in his community, he began working at a very young age. The difficult terrain of the Gehlaur Hills separated their village from the surrounding towns. To get to the hospital, market, or school, villagers had to take a long, dangerous route around the hills. This isolation altered everyday life—medical help arrived late, children had difficulty attending school, and farming was impacted by a lack of resources.In his youth, Dashrath worked as a laborer in mines and fields. Despite his poverty, he possessed tremendous determination and compassion. He married Falguni Devi, and their relationship later became a significant force in his life. Falguni, whom many villagers described as soft-hearted and kind, supported Dashrath through his hardships.


### **The Tragic Event That Changed His Life**

The turning point in Dashrath Manjhi's life came in the early 1960s when Falguni Devi was injured in an accident while crossing the rocky hills of Gehlaur. Some say she slipped and fell; others say she was bringing him food when the accident occurred. Regardless of the full details, the common story is that medical help arrived too late. The nearest town, Wazirganj, was about 70 kilometers away from the existing route. Due to the dangerous terrain, she couldn't receive timely treatment and died.This loss devastated Dashrath. Saddened and angry by the circumstances of his wife's death, he decided to ensure this wouldn't happen to anyone else in his village. Then he did what seemed impossible: *He cut through the mountain to create a path*.


             ### **The Big Work Begins**

With just a hammer, a chisel, and a strong determination, Dashrath began building a road in the Gehlaur Hills in 1960. He had no government support, no machinery, and no engineering training. His neighbors initially mocked him, thinking he was crazy. Some openly ridiculed him, while others doubted that a single man could cut the mountain.But Dashrath was determined. He worked day and night, from dawn to dusk, in the scorching sun and heavy rain. He sold his goats to buy tools. He often lived on very little food. Yet one thing that never wavered was his determination.


    # **22 Years of Dedication**

Dashrath Manjhi's efforts lasted **22 years**, from 1960 to 1982. Throughout the journey, he tirelessly dug, breaking through the stubborn rock. His hands often bled, he suffered injuries, and hunger tormented him constantly. But giving up was not an option.Slowly, the mountain began to yield. Inch by inch, the path widened. Dashrath's dedication gradually turned suspicion into admiration. Even villagers who once mocked him began to help. His mission became an inspiration.Finally, after two decades of hard work, Dashrath completed a path 110 meters long, 9 meters wide, and 7.6 meters deep, reducing the distance between Atri and Wazirganj from 55 kilometers to about 15 kilometers. His path connected remote villages to hospitals, schools, and markets—a feat the government had never attempted, but one man accomplished with his own hands.


               ### **Identity and Legacy**

Initially, the government did not recognize Dashrath's work. He worked hard to draw attention to the needs of his village, at one point having to walk all the way to Delhi. But gradually, his story began to spread. Journalists, activists, and eventually, political leaders recognized the importance of his work.Dashrath Manjhi died of cancer in 2007. The Bihar government, recognizing him as a symbol of the power of human courage, cremated him with full state honors.Today, Dashrath's path is not just a road, but also a memorial to courage. His life has inspired films, documentaries, and countless motivational stories. The 2015 Bollywood film *Manjhi: The Mountain Man* brought his story to even wider audiences.



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