Gunga Din
You may talk o’ gin and beer
When you’re quartered safe out ’ere,
And you’re sent to penny-fights and Aldershot as well;
But when it comes to slaughter
You will do your work on water,
And you’ll lick the bloomin’ boots of him that’s got it.
Now in India’s sunny clime,
Where I used to spend my time
Serving of Her Majesty the Queen,
Of all them blackfaced crew
The finest man I knew
Was our regimental bhisti, Gunga Din,
He was ‘Din! Din! Din!
’You limpin’ lump o’ brick-dust, Gunga Din!
’Hi! Slippy hitherao
’Water, get it! Panee lao
’You squidgy-nosed old idol, Gunga Din.The uniform he wore
Was nothin’ much before,
And rather less than a half of what he expected,
For a piece o’ twisty rag
And a goatskin water-bag
Was all the field-equipment he could find.
When the sweatin’ troop-train lay
In a sidin’ through the day,
Where the heat would make your bloomin’ eyebrows crawl,
We shouted ‘Harry By!’
Till our throats were bricky-dry,
Then we wopped him ’cause he couldn’t serve us all.
It was ‘Din! Din! Din!
’You heathen, where the mischief have you been?
’You put some juldee in it
Or I’ll marrow you this minute
If you don’t fill up my helmet, Gunga Din!’I shall not forget the night
I was choking with thirst
And the man that spied me first was our good old grinnin’, gruntin’ Gunga Din.
He lifted up my head
And he plugged where I bled
And he let me crawl on through the stench.
I’m most grateful for a drink from Gunga Din.
It was ‘Din! Din! Din!
There’s a beggar with a bullet through his spleen;
He’s chowing up the ground, and he’s kicking all around:
For God’s sake, get the water, Gunga Din!
He carried me away to where a doli lay,
And a bullet came and drilled the beggar clean.
He put me safe inside, and just before he died, I hope you liked your drink, said Gunga Din.
So I’ll meet him later on at the place where he is gone—where it’s always double drill and no canteen.
He’ll be squatting on the coals, giving drink to poor damned souls,
And I’ll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din!
Yes, Din! Din! Din! You Lazarus-leather Gunga Din!
Though I’ve belted you and flayed you, By the living God that made you,
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
Unpacking “Gunga Din”: A Journey into Kipling’s Iconic Poem
Rudyard Kipling’s “Gunga Din” stands as a powerful and often debated work in English literature. This article offers a comprehensive guide to understanding this classic poem, exploring its narrative, themes, and literary craftsmanship. Join us as we delve into the world of “Gunga Din”, uncovering its enduring impact and complex layers.
Gunga Din Summary: The Story of a Humble Hero
The poem “Gunga Din” is narrated by a British soldier reflecting on his time in India. He recounts the story of Gunga Din, a native Indian water-carrier, or “bhisti”, attached to his regiment. Initially, the soldier describes Gunga Din with a mix of casual contempt and demanding authority, highlighting the harsh treatment and racial slurs he endured from the British troops. Despite this abuse, Gunga Din is consistently portrayed as dedicated and indispensable, always present to provide water, especially during the brutal conditions of battle.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn during a fierce engagement. The narrator is wounded and left for dead, choking with thirst. It is Gunga Din who bravely comes to his aid, tending to his wounds and offering him water. In a final act of self-sacrifice, Gunga Din is shot and killed while attempting to carry the wounded soldier to safety. The poem concludes with the narrator’s profound realization and admission: despite all the mistreatment, Gunga Din was a “better man” than he was. The soldier envisions meeting Gunga Din in the afterlife, still serving water to “poor damned souls”, a testament to his eternal, selfless nature.
The Central Idea: A Complex Acknowledgment of Humanity
At its core, “Gunga Din” explores the complex dynamics of colonialism, prejudice, and unexpected heroism. While it appears to be a tribute to a humble servant, the poem is far from a simple celebration. Its central idea lies in the narrator’s journey from casual racism and superiority to a grudging, yet profound, respect for Gunga Din’s courage and humanity. The poem grapples with the inherent contradictions of the colonial experience: the British soldier’s dependence on the native population, his ingrained prejudice, and the ultimate recognition of a shared human dignity that transcends racial and social divides. It is an acknowledgment that true worth can be found in the most unexpected places, challenging the very hierarchy the British Empire sought to maintain.
Noteworthy Knowledge: Understanding the Context
To fully appreciate “Gunga Din”, it is important to understand its historical and cultural backdrop. Published in 1892, the poem emerged during the zenith of the British Empire, particularly its rule over India. Rudyard Kipling, born in Bombay (now Mumbai), had a deep, albeit complex, connection to India and often wrote about the lives of British soldiers and Indian natives. The poem reflects the prevailing attitudes of the era, including the casual racism and paternalism that characterized colonial relationships. The term “bhisti” refers to a water carrier, a vital role in the arid regions of India, especially for military campaigns. The poem’s popularity cemented Gunga Din as a cultural icon, yet it has also faced criticism for its perpetuation of stereotypes and its romanticized view of colonial life. Understanding these nuances allows for a richer, more critical interpretation of the poem’s message.
In-Depth Analysis of “Gunga Din”
Kipling’s “Gunga Din” is a masterclass in narrative poetry, employing a range of literary and poetic devices to convey its powerful and often controversial message. Let us explore the poem’s structure, language, and thematic depth.
The Narrator and His Evolving Perspective
The poem is told from the first-person perspective of a British soldier, whose voice is distinctly colloquial and reflective of his working-class background. His initial descriptions of Gunga Din are steeped in the casual racism and dehumanization common among colonial troops:
Of all them blackfaced crew
The finest man I knew
Was our regimental bhisti, Gunga Din,
He was ‘Din! Din! Din!
’You limpin’ lump o’ brick-dust, Gunga Din!
’Hi! Slippy hitherao
’Water, get it! Panee lao
’You squidgy-nosed old idol, Gunga Din.
Here, Gunga Din is reduced to a series of insults and commands, highlighting the power imbalance. However, as the poem progresses, the narrator’s tone shifts dramatically. His near-death experience and Gunga Din’s selfless act force a profound re-evaluation, culminating in the famous lines:
Though I’ve belted you and flayed you, By the living God that made you,
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
This transformation is central to the poem’s meaning, showcasing a moment of personal redemption and a challenge to the prevailing colonial mindset.
Themes in “Gunga Din”
- Colonialism and Imperialism: The poem is set firmly within the context of British India, illustrating the daily lives of soldiers and their interactions with the native population. It subtly critiques the harsh realities of imperial rule, even as it portrays the loyalty of some colonized subjects. The constant demand for water underscores the British dependence on Indian labor and resources.
- Prejudice and Racial Dynamics: The initial stanzas are replete with racial slurs and derogatory terms, reflecting the prevalent prejudice of the era. Phrases like “blackfaced crew” and “heathen” demonstrate the dehumanizing language used by the colonizers. The poem’s power lies in its eventual subversion of these prejudices through Gunga Din’s actions.
- Heroism and Sacrifice: Gunga Din embodies true heroism. Despite being treated as an inferior, he displays immense courage by entering a battlefield to save a wounded soldier. His ultimate sacrifice, giving his life for one of his tormentors, elevates him to a moral stature far above his oppressors.
- Redemption and Respect: The narrator’s final declaration is a moment of profound redemption. It signifies a recognition of Gunga Din’s inherent worth, not as a servant, but as a human being of superior character. This respect is earned through Gunga Din’s actions, forcing the soldier to confront his own biases.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Gunga Din”
Kipling masterfully employs various devices to make “Gunga Din” memorable and impactful:
- Rhythm and Rhyme: The poem is written in a ballad-like form, characterized by its strong, driving rhythm and AABB rhyme scheme. This creates a musicality that makes the poem easy to read aloud and remember, mimicking the oral tradition of soldiers’ songs. For example:
You may talk o’ gin and beer
When you’re quartered safe out ’ere,
And you’re sent to penny-fights and Aldershot as well;
But when it comes to slaughter
You will do your work on water,The consistent rhyme and meter propel the narrative forward.
- Repetition: The insistent refrain of “Din! Din! Din!” serves multiple purposes. It emphasizes the constant demands placed upon Gunga Din, highlights his omnipresence, and later, becomes a mournful echo of his name. This repetition reinforces his central role in the soldiers’ lives.
- Alliteration and Assonance: Kipling uses sound devices to enhance the poem’s vividness and rhythm.
- Alliteration (repetition of initial consonant sounds): “bloomin’ boots,” “sweatin’ troop-train sidin’,” “double drill” create a strong auditory effect.
- Assonance (repetition of vowel sounds): “heat would make your bloomin’ eyebrows crawl” adds to the poem’s musicality and descriptive power.
- Imagery: The poem is rich with sensory details that transport the reader to the Indian battlefield. We feel the “sweatin’ troop-train,” the “bricky-dry” throats, and the “stench” of battle. The image of Gunga Din “squatting on the coals, giving drink to poor damned souls” in the afterlife is particularly striking and enduring.
- Dialect and Colloquialism: The narrator’s language is authentic to a British soldier of the era, using slang and informal expressions like “wopped him” and “chowing up the ground.” The inclusion of Hindi words such as “hitherao” (come here), “panee lao” (bring water), and “juldee” (quickly) adds to the poem’s authenticity and underscores the cultural clash.
- Allusion: The most significant allusion is to “Lazarus” in the final stanza: “You Lazarus-leather Gunga Din!” This refers to the biblical figure Lazarus, who was raised from the dead. Here, it suggests Gunga Din’s resilience, his ability to endure hardship, and perhaps even a spiritual elevation beyond his earthly suffering.
- Metaphor and Simile: The poem uses figurative language to create vivid comparisons.
- “You limpin’ lump o’ brick-dust” is a harsh metaphor comparing Gunga Din to something worthless and easily discarded.
- “You squidgy-nosed old idol” is another derogatory metaphor, likening him to a grotesque, inanimate object.
- The phrase “throats were bricky-dry” uses a simile to convey extreme thirst, comparing the dryness to the texture of bricks.
- Irony: A profound irony underpins the poem. The British soldiers, who consider themselves superior, are utterly dependent on Gunga Din for their survival. The “heathen” they abuse ultimately proves to be more Christian in spirit, embodying self-sacrifice and compassion, than his tormentors.
Analyzing Key Moments and Stanzas
The poem’s narrative arc is crucial to its impact:
- The Opening Stanzas: Setting the Scene of Contempt
The initial stanzas establish the harsh environment of colonial India and the soldiers’ casual cruelty towards Gunga Din. The lines:When the sweatin’ troop-train lay
In a sidin’ through the day,
Where the heat would make your bloomin’ eyebrows crawl,
We shouted ‘Harry By!’
Till our throats were bricky-dry,
Then we wopped him ’cause he couldn’t serve us all.reveal the soldiers’ entitlement and their physical abuse of Gunga Din, highlighting the dehumanizing aspects of their relationship. He is a scapegoat for their discomfort and frustration.
- The Turning Point: Gunga Din’s Bravery in Battle
The poem shifts dramatically when the narrator is wounded. The chaos of battle and the desperate need for water create a moment of truth:I shall not forget the night
I was choking with thirst
And the man that spied me first was our good old grinnin’, gruntin’ Gunga Din.
He lifted up my head
And he plugged where I bled
And he let me crawl on through the stench.Here, Gunga Din’s true character shines through. He is no longer just a servant but a rescuer, acting with courage and compassion where others might have fled. His “grinnin’, gruntin’” demeanor, previously a source of mockery, now suggests a steadfast, almost stoic, presence.
- The Ultimate Sacrifice and Realization
Gunga Din’s death is the climax, solidifying his heroic status. His final words, though brief, are poignant and selfless:He put me safe inside, and just before he died, I hope you liked your drink, said Gunga Din.
This act of ultimate sacrifice leads directly to the narrator’s profound epiphany, encapsulated in the poem’s most famous lines:
Though I’ve belted you and flayed you, By the living God that made you,
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!This is not merely an admission of gratitude, but a complete re-evaluation of moral worth. The soldier, who once held all the power, now humbly acknowledges the moral superiority of the man he abused.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Gunga Din
“Gunga Din” remains a compelling and complex poem, offering a window into the British colonial experience in India. Through its vivid narrative, memorable characters, and skillful use of literary devices, Kipling crafts a story that challenges perceptions of heroism, prejudice, and human dignity. While acknowledging its controversial elements and the historical context of its creation, the poem ultimately delivers a powerful message about the unexpected places where true character and selflessness can be found. It invites readers to consider the profound impact of individual actions and the potential for respect to emerge even from the most unequal of relationships, ensuring its place as a significant piece of English literature.