The Chisel and Hammer of Love: The Indelible Saga of Dashrath Manjhi, the ‘Mountain Man’

Gehlaur, Bihar: This is not just a story of one man, one mountain, or one road; it is a tale of human tenacity, indomitable love, and incredible willpower. Dashrath Manjhi, born in the small village of Gehlaur in Bihar’s Gaya district, achieved what was difficult to even imagine. Alone, with only a chisel and a hammer as his support, through 22 years of relentless effort, he carved a 360-foot long road by cutting through a massive mountain. This was not merely an engineering marvel but a symbol of the extraordinary resolve of an ordinary villager who refused to bow down to the system, remembered today as the ‘Mountain Man’.

1. The Catalyst of Love: The Incident That Made History (The Catalyst: The Incident That Changed Everything)

Dashrath Manjhi’s story begins with his deep love and a profound tragedy.

The Geographical Tragedy of Gehlaur

· The Village’s Problem: The village of Gehlaur was completely cut off from towns like Atri and Wazirganj. A massive rocky hill (known as the Gehlaur hill) stood in between.
· Distance and Difficulty: Due to this hill, villagers had to travel a circuitous route of about 75 kilometers to reach the nearest town and hospital.

Phalguni Devi and the Tragic Event

· Source of Inspiration: Dashrath Manjhi’s wife, Phalguni Devi, was his inspiration and the center of his life.
· The Accident: In 1959, Phalguni Devi was injured while crossing the steep slope of the hill or, according to another account, slipped while taking food for Dashrath Manjhi.
· Consequence: She could not receive timely medical aid because the hospital was too far away. Phalguni Devi died.
· The Resolve: This tragedy shook Dashrath Manjhi to his core. At that very moment, he took a firm vow that the mountain that had snatched his wife from him would not snatch anyone else’s loved one.

2. 22 Years of Austerity: The Sound of the Chisel in Solitude (22 Years of Penance: The Sound of the Chisel)

In 1960, Dashrath Manjhi dedicated his life to that mountain. His only weapons were a chisel and a hammer.

Lack of Resources and Challenges

· Lone Struggle: He started this work alone, without any government help, funding, or modern equipment.
· Mockery and Doubt: Initially, villagers and outsiders thought he was mad. They mocked him and wondered how a single person could cut a mountain.
· Livelihood and Work: Dashrath Manjhi would wake up early in the morning to work on cutting the mountain. To make a living, he sometimes worked in nearby mines or sold wood.
· Technique: To cut the mountain, he adopted the technique of “creating cracks in the rocks.” He would identify weak joints in the rocks and strike them continuously, widening the cracks.

Mental and Physical Fortitude

· Hunger and Thirst: Many times, he worked hungry and thirsty. Later, villagers started helping him, with some providing food and others water.
· Monsoon and Heat: For 22 years, he paid no heed to scorching heat, bitter cold, or torrential rains.

3. The Birth of the Road: Sacrifice in Numbers (The Birth of the Road: Sacrifice in Numbers)

Dashrath Manjhi started the work in 1960 and completed it in 1982.

Dimensions of the Road

· Total Duration: 22 years (1960 to 1982).
· Length: Approximately 360 feet (110 meters).
· Width: 30 feet (9.1 meters) – wide enough for motorcycles and small vehicles to pass.
· Height Reduction: Reduced the hill’s height by 25 feet (7.6 meters).
· Resultant Change: The 75-kilometer distance was reduced to just 1-15 kilometers, making access to the Atri hospital and Wazirganj market much easier.

Socio-Economic Impact

· Education and Health: This road eased access to health services and education for residents of Gehlaur and over 60 surrounding villages.
· Economy: It became possible for farmers to get their produce to the market, improving the region’s economy.

4. Recognition and Final Days (Recognition and Final Days)

Dashrath Manjhi’s work remained largely unheard of for decades, but he received widespread recognition before and after his death.

Government Neglect and Protest

· Continued Struggle: Even after building the road, Dashrath Manjhi requested the government to pave it (Pukka Road).
· Delhi Journey: Once, he even traveled to Delhi on foot or by bicycle to present his appeal.
· Symbol of Protest: His story often becomes a symbol of government apathy and the struggles of rural India.

National Recognition

· Acknowledgement: After his death, Dashrath Manjhi was posthumously nominated for the Padma Shri award by the Indian government in 2006, although he did not receive it.
· State Honors: The Bihar government named a road after him and installed his statue.
· Film and Literature:
· Several documentaries and articles were written about him.
· In 2015, the Bollywood film ‘Manjhi: The Mountain Man’ based on him was released, taking his story to an international audience.

Final Journey

· Death: Dashrath Manjhi died in 2007 at the age of 73 due to cancer.
· State Honors: The Bihar government performed his last rites with state honors, a rare tribute for someone not in a government position.

5. Legacy and Inspiration (Legacy and Inspiration)

Dashrath Manjhi’s legacy continues to inspire millions even today.

Symbol of Indomitable Will

· Title of ‘Mountain Man’: He earned the title ‘Mountain Man’, which became synonymous with perseverance and the power of love.
· Dashrath Manjhi International Institute: An institute was established in his memory to carry forward his work, focusing on rural development and infrastructure.

Message for Today’s Society

· Fighting the System: His story teaches that if the system fails, personal initiative and determination can achieve the greatest of goals.
· Power of Love: It is a reminder that love and dedication can be far more powerful than any physical obstacle

Dashrath Manjhi proved that in the face of love and resolve, even mountains make way. He not only cut a mountain but also broke all the social and economic barriers hindering his village’s development. His legacy still echoes in the Gehlaur valley, reminding us that one person, with a small tool in hand and a great cause in heart, can change history. Dashrath Manjhi is not just a name today but a symbol of humanity’s indomitable spirit.