Jim Corbett’s 'Life at Mokameh Ghat' in 'My India': Splendid Story that Reinforces the Notion that People must Learn to Live together in Harmony

Jim Corbett’s My India is a splendid story that reinforces the notion that people must learn to live together in harmony where actually the seed of communal discomfort at pre independence is fermenting. Here is well documented and written at the British India when the peoples of the India looked forward to a time of freedom fight through Gandhian peace and prosperity. The story of the coming of the new railroads, to live among the Indian populace  symbolizes the optimism of these years. Jim Corbett does not, however, allow the development of his theme to rest on sentimentality and false hope. In fact, Jim Corbett become a trans-shipment Inspector for the Bengal and Northwestern Railway where he spent 21 years, working with hundreds of simple, loyal and hardworking labourers. Most of the stories in My India revolve around this period he spent in Mokameh Ghat. The book includes twelve dashing description of Jim’s motherland and Life at Mokameh Ghat is his 12th or the last piece of the book. Will will now reflect after Jim Corbett his days at Mokameh Ghat.

 Jim Corbett's 'Life at Mokameh Ghat' is a chapter in his book 'My India,' which describes his experiences living near the Mokameh Ghat in Bihar, India. The chapter provides a glimpse into the culture, wildlife, and daily life of the people living in the area.  Mokameh Ghat is situated on the south bank of the Ganges, about ninety KM away from Patna in Bihar. At Mokameh Ghat Corbett handled million tons of goods and reached them to Samaria Ghat. At the very beginning the work was very oil some for the author and his men. The phrase means got accustomed or habituated with the work. The common object of the author and his men was to provide better service to those dependent on them. One of the author’s first undertakings was to start a school for the sons of his workmen and lower paid railway staff. Ram Saran was the station master of Mokameh Ghat station and a keen educationist. Caste prejudices were the first sang they ram up against. The school started with a membership of twenty boys. The title ‘Rai Sahib’ was conferred on Ram Saran by the government for his contribution to the school. Ram Saran and his band of willing helpers decorated the office and it surroundings with red and green signal flags and also with the strings of marigold and jasmine flowers. The real business of the day was the distribution of cash bonus the Ram Saran to the staffs and to the laborers. 

The author Jim Corbett was responsible for the running of the steamers at Mokameh Ghat. Jim Corbett’s hobby was to study the mankind. Crosthwaite was a young man from England who had come to Indian to serve in the railway was Jim's companion . The crossing of the Ganges gave him enough opportunity to come in contact with the large number of people who used the crossing to cross the river. The journey was between Mokameh Ghat and Samaria Ghat, just opposite to the Mokameh Ghat .The three Brahmins were carrying the water of the Ganges in their copper vessels. A dhunia is a person who cleans fluffs the old cotton with harp like instrument. There are two Tibetan lamas. The four pilgrims will sell the Ganges water drop by drop in their own and neighboring villages for the religious ceremonies. The man was a Mohammedan gentleman who was traveling from Gaya to Muzaffarpur. The Mohammedan gentleman deals in tobacco. Christmas was the only festival which was observed at Mokameh Ghat.

Jim Corbett

Corbett and his workers had to handle million tons goods at Mokameh Ghat. This works was very toil some at the very beginning. Later, they become habituated with the passage of time. At Mokameh Ghat Corbett handled million tons of goods and kept the traffic always moving. His workers were very cooperative and commuted. Thus, they earned a great reputation which was the result of combined efforts. The three Brahmins at the lower deck are the servants of a well-known maharaja in their big copper vessels. They are carrying Ganges water, drawn from the right bank from the personal use of Maharaja. On Christmas day Ram Saran and his willing helpers had given the office and its surroundings a colorful festival appearance by decorating with red and green signal flags and also with the strings of Mari gold and jasmine. Here the day referred to the Christmas day and the business was the distribution of cash bonus to Ram Saran, to the staff and to the laborers. This was appreciated greatly. The contract of transshipping million tons of goods from Mokameh Ghat to Samaria Ghat was so carefully done by Corbett and his men that they earned a great reputation which was a result of combined efforts. All of them not only took pride in this reputation but also were determined to retain it. 

As Corbett describes to the third class passengers at the lower deck, there are three Brahmins, the servants of a well-known Maharaja. After them there was a Mohammedan dhunia. Next to him there are two Tibetan lamas, returning from pilgrimage. After them are a group of four men, also returning from a pilgrimage to Benares. The last man on the left was an old friend of Corbett. Christmas day was the only festival which was celebrated at Mokameh Ghat. On this occasion Ram Saran and his willing helpers decorated the office and its surrounding with red and green signal flags and strings of Marigold and jasmine, later Ram Saran garlanded the author and delivered a long speech, followed by a short one by the author. Finally sweets were distributed among the children and distribution of bonus also started. At the end of  Life at Mokameh Ghat  Corbett felts relived as he had not to face the wades spread labor unrest, strikes and communal disorders of today’s India. India is his time was totally different because, at that time the interest of one was the interest of all and the people irrespective their class and religion could live work and play together in perfect harmony. When Jim Corbett was describing the passengers on the lower deck a Mohammedan gentleman was sitting near to them and was listening the description of Corbett. Then Corbett told his friend that the gentleman was a hide merchant, going to Muzaffarpur from Gaya. Immediately the man replayed in perfect English which made Corbett blushed with embarrassment he told them that he was a tobacco merchant.

'Life at Mokameh Ghat' is a fascinating and insightful chapter that provides a unique perspective on life in rural India. Corbett's love for the people, wildlife, and landscape of the area shines through in his writing, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Indian culture, wildlife, or history.

Some important interests in the book as well as the chapter include:

👉Wildlife: Corbett was an avid hunter turned conservationist, and he wrote extensively about the wildlife in the area, including tigers, leopards, and crocodiles. He also discussed the importance of preserving these animals and their habitats.

👉People: Corbett also wrote about the people living near Mokameh Ghat and their way of life, including their customs and traditions. He described their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

👉Landscape: Corbett's descriptions of the landscape were vivid and detailed, giving readers a sense of the beauty and ruggedness of the area.

👉Personal experiences: Corbett shared his own experiences living near Mokameh Ghat, including his interactions with the local people and his encounters with wildlife.

(Extra Note: 

👀Jim Corbett was born in Naini Tal, India on 25th July 1875 to British parents and his family had been living in India for three generations.

👀He had to leave school at the age of 16 to find work and support his family.

👀He worked as a trans-shipment Inspector for the Bengal and Northwestern Railway for 21 years and worked with many hardworking labourers.

👀'My India' includes twelve stories about his experiences in India, with a focus on his time at Mokameh Ghat.

👀The twelve stories are titled:

1. The Queen of the Village
2. Kunwar Singh
3. Mothi
4. Pre-Red-Tape Days
5. The Law of the Jungles
6. The Brothers
7. Sultana: India's Robin Hood
8. Loyalty
9. Budhu
10. Lala jee
11. Chamari
12. Life at Mokameh Ghat

👀Corbett's love for his motherland is evident in his writing, and his stories provide a unique perspective on life in rural India.

👀Corbett became an authority on wildlife conservation and played a leading role in campaigning for the establishment of Corbett National Park.

👀In 1973, the park became the first designated reserve of Project Tiger, a nationwide campaign to save the tiger from extinction.)

Ardhendu De

Ref: My India. (n.d.). My India - Jim Corbett - Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/my-india-9780195623413