##Dashrath Manjhi: The Mountain Man

**Early Life and Background**

Dashrath Manjhi, fondly known as the *“Mountain Man”*, is one of India's most inspiring symbols of courage and human willpower. Born into extreme poverty and belonging to the Musahar community, one of Bihar's most marginalized groups, Manjhi's life story isn't just a biography of one man—it's a testament to how determination can move mountains.

Dashrath Manjhi was born in 1934 in Gehlaur, a small village in the Gaya district of Bihar. His family lived in extreme poverty, subsisting mostly on daily wages and farm work for upper-caste landowners. As a child, Manjhi had few opportunities for formal education; instead, he worked in the fields and quickly learned how difficult and ruthless life can be for the rural poor.Gehlaur village was located near rocky hills, making it far from essential services like hospitals, markets, and schools. The nearest town was on the other side of the mountain, forcing villagers to walk miles on dangerous roads. Growing up amidst this hardship, Manjhi became acutely aware of how the constraints of location exacerbate the hardships of an already backward community. #Marriage and the Tragic Event That Changed His Life# Manjhi eventually married a woman named Fagunia Devi. Their marriage played a major role in the turning point of his life. One day, while trying to cross a steep hill to bring lunch for Fagunia, she slipped and was seriously injured. Because the nearest hospital was far away and the mountainous path made things difficult, timely medical help was not available. She died from her injuries.For Manjhi, this loss was devastating. But from his grief emerged a strong determination that guided the rest of his life. He decided that no one else in his village should suffer because of the mountain that stood between them and essential services. What began as a deeply personal mission of love and sorrow gradually transformed into a crusade for the betterment of society.

**The Beginning of a Unique Journey**

In 1960, armed with just a hammer, a chisel, and a strong will, Dashrath Manjhi began carving a path through a mountain 300 feet high and approximately 30 feet wide. His goal was simple but grand: to build a road that would connect Gehlour directly to the town of Wazirganj, reducing the journey from 55 kilometers to approximately 15.At first, people laughed at him. Some called him crazy, while others mocked him for attempting something that was difficult even for machines. But Manjhi persevered. Every day, from dawn to dusk, he walked the difficult, rocky path. During the day, he worked as a laborer to make ends meet, and at night, he toiled on the mountain. His hands bled, his body weakened, yet his courage remained unwavering.

#Twenty Years of Continuous Effort# The work Dashrath Manjhi accomplished was beyond imagination. For twenty-two long years, from 1960 to 1982, he toiled alone. Rain, heat, hunger, and poverty were constant obstacles. Sometimes he didn't have the money to buy tools, so he made do with whatever he had, constantly improving his hammer and chisel.But slowly, the mountain began to crumble. Day by day, inch by inch, Manjhi carved a path through the rock. What once seemed impossible was slowly becoming reality. Finally, in 1982, after more than two decades of hard work, the road was completed: 360 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 25 feet deep.His success significantly improved the lives of thousands of villagers. The new road allowed children to go to school, patients to reach hospitals quickly, and farmers to reach markets without the risky and time-consuming journey. What the government machinery had failed to accomplish in decades, one man accomplished with his own hands.

#Recognition and Later Life#

It took time for officials to recognize Manjhi's contributions. Eventually, the Bihar government recognized his tremendous efforts and recommended him for a national honor. In his later years, Manjhi went to Delhi to seek government support for further development in his area. Although humble, he became a living example and a symbol of determination.Dashrath Manjhi passed away on August 17, 2007, after battling cancer. He was cremated with full state honours—an honour that reflected the nation's respect for a man who dedicated his life to serving others with unwavering determination.Even today, Dashrath Manjhi's story inspires millions in India and around the world. His life has been immortalised in films, documentaries, books, and school textbooks. The path he paved is a lasting reminder of his dedication and courage. He proved it.