Today in #Dalithistory we acknowledge the incredible power of #Dalitlove in the story of Dashrath Manjhi. Dashrath was born into the #Mahadalit Musahars community from the mountainous part of Bihar known as Gehlour Hills.

Travel in that region had always been hard for communities in that area because of the lack of roads, and so people would need to hike for miles as there was no pass through the hills. Whether it was visiting friends and relatives, going to the work at fields, or for children going to school — treks were long and dangerous.

This is what happened with Manjhi’s wife, Falguni Devi. When she walked to bring him lunch, she slipped and seriously injured herself. Unable to get past the mountainous terrain to obtain medical care, the nearest of which was 70km away, Falguni Devi succumbed to her injuries.

Following her death, Manjhi became a mourning husband and a resolute man. He made up his mind that the lack of proper travel paths, especially standing as an obstruction to medical care, should never happen again. He was determined to see it end in his lifetime.

He sold the family’s three goats to buy a sledgehammer and chisels. Then after plowing fields for others in the morning, he would walk over to his hill. And there, Manjhi slowly but definitively began chipping away at the hill to create a pathway for his whole community.

Initially, everyone laughed at the sight. “Look at Manjhi with his chisel — looks like he is going to move mountains!” The state of Bihar also wanted no part in it at all. But as time went by Manjhi’s determination shined brighter than his critics. His friends and community members began to respect his resolve and dedication. Soon he earned the nickname — “ The Mountain Man”

Manjhi chipped at that hill for 22 years. When he was finally finished in 1983, a 110 metre long, 7.7 metre deep and 9.1 metre wide road triumphantly cut through the Gelour hills.

Countless people on either side of the hills could now travel safely. The road even held small automobile traffic with ease. The road opened up to the community access to schools, to healthcare, and to further employment opportunities.

His efforts, when revealed earned him great praise. Media and politicians flocked to congratulate and wonder over his road. The road was officially named the Dasrath Manjhi Rd. and he earned the title of the “Mountain Man of India”. A Bollywood movie was made about him. His biography is even now included in Bihar school textbooks for young students to read and remember him by.

From the Bollywood directors to Aamir Khan, to Sonia Gandhi, to even Coal Mining Corporations- all promised him money and opportunities for his family as acts of honor and respect. However, none of their promises have materialized. The Manjhi family, even after his passing in 2007, still work a tiny piece of land and struggle to keep the roof over their heads.

Despite these broken promises we lift up the incredible the inspiration of Manjhi’s love. He worked over 22 years tirelessly through the ridicule and pain of labor — for her. So that her memory might help others and she would not have died in vain. To us, this is what #DalitLove looks like.

Jai Bhim Manjhiji! Rest in Power!

From – Dalit History Month Collective

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