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Jim Corbett's India
Jim Corbett's name has become legendary, and his stories of tiger-hunting expeditions have become classics of adventure. Over the years, the books in which he described these expeditions and his daily life in India achieved bestseller status around the world. Here is a selection of 22 of his
most popular writings, taken from Man-eaters of Kumaon , My India , Jungle Lore , and other volumes. In these stories, Corbett tells not only of the tracking and shooting of the man-eating leopards and tigers of India, and the amazing feats of skill and courage that saved people from the Panar
leopard, the Chowgarh tigress, and the Muktesar maneater, but also of his love for India and the people with whom he lived and worked. Corbett's vivid and evocative descriptions of the people, the countryside, and its wildlife reveal him to be not only a world-class hunter, but also an ardent
conservationist with an intimate knowledge of the mysterious Indian jungle.
most popular writings, taken from Man-eaters of Kumaon , My India , Jungle Lore , and other volumes. In these stories, Corbett tells not only of the tracking and shooting of the man-eating leopards and tigers of India, and the amazing feats of skill and courage that saved people from the Panar
leopard, the Chowgarh tigress, and the Muktesar maneater, but also of his love for India and the people with whom he lived and worked. Corbett's vivid and evocative descriptions of the people, the countryside, and its wildlife reveal him to be not only a world-class hunter, but also an ardent
conservationist with an intimate knowledge of the mysterious Indian jungle.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
237 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Jim Corbett
105 books288 followersEdward James "Jim" Corbett was a British hunter, turned conservationist, author and naturalist, famous for hunting a large number of man-eaters in India.
Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were harassing people in the nearby villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. His hunting successes earned him a long-held respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon. Some even claim that he was considered to be a sadhu (saint) by the locals.
Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Later on in life, Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination and played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. The national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour in 1957 after his death in 1955.
Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were harassing people in the nearby villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. His hunting successes earned him a long-held respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon. Some even claim that he was considered to be a sadhu (saint) by the locals.
Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Later on in life, Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination and played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. The national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour in 1957 after his death in 1955.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 25, 2024
This book entered my life many years ago, perhaps 40. I am sure it came via a library sale and always felt like the next book in the TBR pile and yet, years went by and still I hadn’t read it. I often purge my library but for some reason I could not purge this book even though it had never been recommended and I don’t know why I wanted it. About 5 years ago I moved it to drawer in the living room. And then while searching for something else I ran across it again and decided to give it a trial run. I was so fascinated after the first chapter I continued picking it up each morning. And finally I have finished it.
My India is a book by Jim Corbett, a lifelong Anglo-Indian and man-eating tiger hunter. It is a vivid picture of life during the Raj written by a man who greatly loved and respected the people he lived among. Most interesting is the way the Muslims and Hindus live in peace before agitators came along.
Did you know there is a Jim Corbett National Park in India!
I plan on using excerpts of it for my narration classes because it is so well written.
My India is a book by Jim Corbett, a lifelong Anglo-Indian and man-eating tiger hunter. It is a vivid picture of life during the Raj written by a man who greatly loved and respected the people he lived among. Most interesting is the way the Muslims and Hindus live in peace before agitators came along.
Did you know there is a Jim Corbett National Park in India!
I plan on using excerpts of it for my narration classes because it is so well written.
February 19, 2021
This is not fiction. It is a series of anecdotes with each chapter speaking about a simple yet powerful rural character or an exciting incident involving a wild animal, usually a tiger, and in the bargain the reader is treated to fascinating stories, many of them hair raising. It is a slim volume, that can be finished in perhaps two sittings.
I have heard the Indian Government has done a very good job of wildlife conservation, especially of tigers. Someday I hope to visit the famous Corbett National park in India. I am equally keen to see the bust of Mr Corbett as also his home (preserved as a heritage site) at Mokameh Ghat where he spent a large part of his life.
PS: I am also looking forward to other books written by Corbett. There may not be many, though.
I have heard the Indian Government has done a very good job of wildlife conservation, especially of tigers. Someday I hope to visit the famous Corbett National park in India. I am equally keen to see the bust of Mr Corbett as also his home (preserved as a heritage site) at Mokameh Ghat where he spent a large part of his life.
PS: I am also looking forward to other books written by Corbett. There may not be many, though.
July 24, 2012
Unlike Jim Corbett's other books, My India sketches the kind and tender human being within the ruthless hunter. With sympathy and concern, this book details Corbett's intense love for India and Indians, and also portrays the life, tradition and folklore of rural India - which at the time of Corbett are mostly remote from any modern transport facilities and secluded amongst other similar villages or vast jungles.
The book reflects the childhood experiences of Jim Corbett and the making of Jim Corbett. In this book Jim Corbett also talks about his professional career and the decisions that he made, which in return made him what he was. Perhaps, this is the only book which Corbett has dedicated to detail the people closest to his heart, and how they influenced him in his crucial decisions at critical points of time during his numerous encounters with the wild cats.
The book reflects the childhood experiences of Jim Corbett and the making of Jim Corbett. In this book Jim Corbett also talks about his professional career and the decisions that he made, which in return made him what he was. Perhaps, this is the only book which Corbett has dedicated to detail the people closest to his heart, and how they influenced him in his crucial decisions at critical points of time during his numerous encounters with the wild cats.
June 4, 2018
This book is an unofficial autobiography of Jim Corbett.Its a collection of various experiences of Corbett from a hunter to a worker on Mokameh Ghat to a healer.The language is simple and every chapter describes a new colour of India.Certainly Jim Corbett was more Indian than lots of Indians I know.He was one of those foreigners who understood India,its wildlife and most importantly Indians.Thats why this book which he flawlessly describes India deserves five stars.Thank you Corbett
Saab...
Saab...
May 23, 2023
Time travel. That’s what this selection of stories is like. Like traveling back in time to when India’s forests were “crawling with fauna” chital langur goat-deer, bears leopards and yes, tigers.
With descriptions of terrain, people, plants, trees and birds his stories told of man eaters who waylayed villagers and even killed them in their own houses while others in the same room were unaware.
Each tiger hunt is unique, the tiger’s personality drawn with care. His later stories show the conservationist and his early warnings (1930!) that india would lose both forests and natures bounty.
Makes me want to visit the mammoth national park in india that bears his name, the largest in that country.
With descriptions of terrain, people, plants, trees and birds his stories told of man eaters who waylayed villagers and even killed them in their own houses while others in the same room were unaware.
Each tiger hunt is unique, the tiger’s personality drawn with care. His later stories show the conservationist and his early warnings (1930!) that india would lose both forests and natures bounty.
Makes me want to visit the mammoth national park in india that bears his name, the largest in that country.
March 20, 2015
Corbett's adventures are an interesting read. However, I picked up this book for a different reason. His writings reflect the English view of what were called the days of the Raj, which is what I wanted to read. Corbett's views reflect a typical Britisher's viewpoint of India as it was back in the days of the Raj. He is prejudicial, opinionated, humble in an odd perverse manner where he at one hand maintains his British superiority and on another hand loves his rural India. On one hand, he agrees with Katherine Mayo and on other also favors Gandhi. On one hand, finds Brahmins to be the purest blood present on the land and on other finds the caste divisions ignorant. He cannot be called a man harbouring various contradictions because these contradictions come naturally with a superior British behaviour which is both at the same time condescending and nationalistic in an odd way.
The book has several stories, interesting, funny, revealing and some with beautiful climaxes. Narration is fine and I enjoyed reading the book. A thin and very quick read. I think, a better picture of the days of the Raj can be seen while reading Corbett, Kipling and Forster together.
The book has several stories, interesting, funny, revealing and some with beautiful climaxes. Narration is fine and I enjoyed reading the book. A thin and very quick read. I think, a better picture of the days of the Raj can be seen while reading Corbett, Kipling and Forster together.
February 25, 2022
Jim narrates his good memories with various tribal, hunting and ordinary people of India related to him through his life.
His appreciation of the lives of ordinary Indian people is narrated in various events.
His appreciation of the lives of ordinary Indian people is narrated in various events.
March 19, 2019
If reading could give a pure, premordial sort of pleasure, then this is it. Thanks to some amazing translators, I was first introduced to Corbett's (and Anderson) world in Urdu. That was at least 30 years ago and I have been revisiting; however, I don't remember reading translations of this little wonder of a book. I now realize as if I had never read Corbett since even with this kind of direct and simple prose, a lot is lost in translation. These little sketches moved me beyond words. I have to reread Corbett in his own prose now.
March 3, 2014
This well-worn hard cover edition was loaned to me by a friend who grew up in India. Corbett spoke at my friend's school and left a lasting impression.
In one tale, Corbett speaks of a very good man who has just died, stating that he'd be very happy to go where this gentleman was headed in the next life.
I'd be delighted to go to wherever Corbett is in the next life.
In one tale, Corbett speaks of a very good man who has just died, stating that he'd be very happy to go where this gentleman was headed in the next life.
I'd be delighted to go to wherever Corbett is in the next life.
March 12, 2023
ತೇಜಸ್ವಿರವರು ನನ್ನಂತ ಅನೇಕ ಓದುಗರಿಗೆ ಒಂದಷ್ಟು ಜನರನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಕೃತಿಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ: ಜಿಮ್ ಕಾರ್ಬೇಟ್, ಕೆನೆತ್ ಅಂಡರ್ಸನ್, ಲೋಹಿಯ, ಅರ್ನೆಸ್ಟ್ ಹೆಮಿಂಗ್ವೇ, ಶಾಂತವೇರಿ ಗೋಪಾಲಗೌಡ, ನಂಜುಂಡಸ್ವಾಮಿ.
ಹೀಗೆ ಪರಿಚಯವಾದ ಜಿಮ್ ಕಾರ್ಬೇಟ್ ರನ್ನು ಅನೇಕ ಕೃತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಬಯಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕಥೆಯಂತೆ ಇರುವ ಈ ಕೃತಿ ಇಷ್ಟವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಮ್ ಶಿಕಾರಿಯೇತರ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಭಾರತದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಜನರ ಔದಾರ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಶ್ರೀಮಂತ ಜಮೀನ್ದಾರರು ಮತ್ತು ಹಣದ ಲೇವಾದೇವಿದಾರರ ಕೌರ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾನೆ, ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಜನರು ಈ ಕೃತಿಯ ನಾಯಕರಂತೆ ವಿಜೃಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ
ಜಿಮ್ ಭಾರತದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೇಳಿರುವ ಈ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ - “It is these big-hearted sons of the soil, no matter what their cast or creed, who will one day weld the contending factions into a composite whole, and make of India a great nation.”
ಹೀಗೆ ಪರಿಚಯವಾದ ಜಿಮ್ ಕಾರ್ಬೇಟ್ ರನ್ನು ಅನೇಕ ಕೃತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಬಯಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕಥೆಯಂತೆ ಇರುವ ಈ ಕೃತಿ ಇಷ್ಟವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಮ್ ಶಿಕಾರಿಯೇತರ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಭಾರತದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಜನರ ಔದಾರ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಶ್ರೀಮಂತ ಜಮೀನ್ದಾರರು ಮತ್ತು ಹಣದ ಲೇವಾದೇವಿದಾರರ ಕೌರ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾನೆ, ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಜನರು ಈ ಕೃತಿಯ ನಾಯಕರಂತೆ ವಿಜೃಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ
ಜಿಮ್ ಭಾರತದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೇಳಿರುವ ಈ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ - “It is these big-hearted sons of the soil, no matter what their cast or creed, who will one day weld the contending factions into a composite whole, and make of India a great nation.”
May 22, 2023
A memoir of life among the poor in India, by famed conservationist and hunter of man-eaters, Jim Corbett. Very good storytelling. I was reading Mahasweta Devi's translation, her translation has made the book much more enjoyable. Thoroughly enjoyed the read. You can check it out.
September 22, 2014
The book is a fascinating insight into India at the beginning of the 20th century through the eyes of a man who happened to belong to the race of the colonizers, but did not seem to think of himself as one. Every story is testimony to the fact that Jim Corbett could look at the people around him as his co-workers, friends and acquaintances without their race or nationality being of any relevance to his relationship with them. He talks as warmly of memorable evenings spent chatting in his verandah with Chamari, one of his headmen at Mokameh Ghat, as he does of those spent playing billiards with Tom Kelly, the station master at Samaria Ghat across the river. It is precisely this ability of his to see through the contrived differences of race, class and caste that endeared him to his co-workers, friends and his readers as a great humanitarian.
That is not to say that he was not aware of the social structures and inequalities that he saw around him. Rather, he had a very keen eye for these, and we can see a very astute commentary on them throughout the book. He was aware too of the fact that he, as a European, could never assimilate completely with all the people around him. Yet, he reconciled himself with these constraints and continued to live with a profound love for all the people he considered his own, in the country he called ‘My India’.
The book also casts light on Corbett as a skilled organizer and manager of people, able to turn around and run smoothly a difficult and crucial logistical operation, as also his tremendous powers of observation and understanding of the Indian society and culture of the time. These qualities, coupled with his lucid and meticulous narrative style mean that the book is as much an insight into Indian society, the Indian railways, the Indian landscape in the Gangetic plain and the lives of Indian civil servants of the time as it is into the man himself.
Corbett continues to be loved in India for all the qualities that made him a great human being. The number of reviews by Indian readers for his books is testimony to the fact that he has transcended the boundaries of race like few of his countrymen could.
That is not to say that he was not aware of the social structures and inequalities that he saw around him. Rather, he had a very keen eye for these, and we can see a very astute commentary on them throughout the book. He was aware too of the fact that he, as a European, could never assimilate completely with all the people around him. Yet, he reconciled himself with these constraints and continued to live with a profound love for all the people he considered his own, in the country he called ‘My India’.
The book also casts light on Corbett as a skilled organizer and manager of people, able to turn around and run smoothly a difficult and crucial logistical operation, as also his tremendous powers of observation and understanding of the Indian society and culture of the time. These qualities, coupled with his lucid and meticulous narrative style mean that the book is as much an insight into Indian society, the Indian railways, the Indian landscape in the Gangetic plain and the lives of Indian civil servants of the time as it is into the man himself.
Corbett continues to be loved in India for all the qualities that made him a great human being. The number of reviews by Indian readers for his books is testimony to the fact that he has transcended the boundaries of race like few of his countrymen could.
March 3, 2020
Most of us have a thought that English officers who worked in India those days were selfish and cruel. But this Jim Corbett had a heart which melted for the simple, honest, brave, loyal and hard working souls of India. From these people we can learn the art of gratefulness, for them it doesn't matter how trivial the thing is they were grateful to Jim.
March 31, 2020
This book is a window to the India of the poor, and the India of the villages through honest accounts of the person we all know as a hunter and environmental protectionist. Bapu said it right- India lives in its villages. Jim Corbett's vivid description of his unique encounters left me with a yearning to be out there- in the poor villages, in Mokameh Ghat, in Gaya, in the forest and in the streams and near the Ganges. Corbett was a sociable person and could connect and empathize with the people he met wherever his duties took him, be it the people working under him, or be it Lalaji whom he just nursed to health. He saw through their person and could even lend them major parts of his savings. His courage, warm heartedness and leadership too spices up the stories- where he could achieve things thought impossible.
All the stories moved my person, but particularly interesting ones were Sultana:India's Robin Hood, The law of the jungles, Lala Jee and Chamari.
All the stories moved my person, but particularly interesting ones were Sultana:India's Robin Hood, The law of the jungles, Lala Jee and Chamari.
March 22, 2021
Rating 3.5/5.
Jim Corbett writing about his encounters with Indian people! He had lived in India long enough to encounter lots and lots of different people. This book outlines a few of them only.
What I like to mention here is the scale to which he has been a blessing/boon to the people of India. Jim Corbett has helped loads of my own countrymen in need, be it with medicines, care or with money or with employment or with whatever he can.
Back in the days when Indians used to treat other Indians as upper caste/lower caste etc etc, Jim Corbett treated every other guy equally! - how can I even fail to appreciate or write about that!
Few of the stories are definitely heart touching. Punwa/Putari, Haria, Chamari, Lalajee all these characters are real and are definitely worth a read.
Also you get to know about how it was - back in the days.
What I did not understand in detail was - the map of Ranikhet Almora and other areas which Jim Corbett mentioned, well, I could not visualize each of the ravines, gorges, valleys, directions as well as the flowing rivers as mentioned. But never the less I enjoyed reading about them.
Also - the story of Sultana was a big stretch and it kinda irked me!
Cheers,
Jim Corbett writing about his encounters with Indian people! He had lived in India long enough to encounter lots and lots of different people. This book outlines a few of them only.
What I like to mention here is the scale to which he has been a blessing/boon to the people of India. Jim Corbett has helped loads of my own countrymen in need, be it with medicines, care or with money or with employment or with whatever he can.
Back in the days when Indians used to treat other Indians as upper caste/lower caste etc etc, Jim Corbett treated every other guy equally! - how can I even fail to appreciate or write about that!
Few of the stories are definitely heart touching. Punwa/Putari, Haria, Chamari, Lalajee all these characters are real and are definitely worth a read.
Also you get to know about how it was - back in the days.
What I did not understand in detail was - the map of Ranikhet Almora and other areas which Jim Corbett mentioned, well, I could not visualize each of the ravines, gorges, valleys, directions as well as the flowing rivers as mentioned. But never the less I enjoyed reading about them.
Also - the story of Sultana was a big stretch and it kinda irked me!
Cheers,
December 28, 2018
I had known Jim Corbett's reputation and his very-very famous books as a hunter, but this was him as a very Indian person who had compassion for all whom he worked with. The story 'loyalty' about his appointment as the trans-shipment inspector of the Indian Railways was a known one, but I had forgotten about it, and when I met the tale again a warmth, as much as Corbett had felt for his workers who worked without payment and just a promise for 95 days, spread over me.
I liked his story telling style - simple, with as detailed a description as he can remember. He was a humble man, and perhaps one of the kind English men you hear about from British India. His love for the people, and especially the poor of India is strewn into the narrative and you can't avoid the tone of compassion that keeps the narrative, at certain times a little abrupt in changing themes, together. But I didn't mind the abruptness for life isn't always an organised bunch of experiences, and that somehow made it more real for me. The book is gifted with very clear, detailed and non-judgemental descriptions of Indian customs as viewed by someone raised in a different culture. I hope I gain this view, this impartial sight for my further experiences in life too. This was a very important teaching from this book and from Corbett, the amazing humble man himself.
This is my first Jim Corbett book, apart from one of two of his short stories in anthologies, and I will definitely read more of him in the coming days.
It was an endearing read ❤, and I hope we remember Jim Corbett for we can learn a lot from him. I give this book full five stars.
Happy reading! 🙂
I liked his story telling style - simple, with as detailed a description as he can remember. He was a humble man, and perhaps one of the kind English men you hear about from British India. His love for the people, and especially the poor of India is strewn into the narrative and you can't avoid the tone of compassion that keeps the narrative, at certain times a little abrupt in changing themes, together. But I didn't mind the abruptness for life isn't always an organised bunch of experiences, and that somehow made it more real for me. The book is gifted with very clear, detailed and non-judgemental descriptions of Indian customs as viewed by someone raised in a different culture. I hope I gain this view, this impartial sight for my further experiences in life too. This was a very important teaching from this book and from Corbett, the amazing humble man himself.
This is my first Jim Corbett book, apart from one of two of his short stories in anthologies, and I will definitely read more of him in the coming days.
It was an endearing read ❤, and I hope we remember Jim Corbett for we can learn a lot from him. I give this book full five stars.
Happy reading! 🙂
May 30, 2021
The fact that a literary work as dated as this one can still be this captivating is stunning.
March 4, 2022
It's a collection of stories of people known to the author. Some them are heart touching
August 2, 2017
An apt title. The author's love for the country and her people shines through his words.
February 3, 2024
I can't remember when I first started reading.... But I was brought up on stories.
Stories my mom told, books my mom read to me, stories from mythology my grandma told me. I was obviously a little pest.
Travelling on a long train journey, I remember pestering a man sitting in the same carriage for stories.
After running out of fairytales and mythological tales, he told me stories about Jim Corbett. Corbett the hunter. Corbett the saviour of thousands of Indian villagers. Corbett the man who courageously took on maneaters. Corbett the naturalist.
And I fell in love.
Whatever else I forgot, I remembered the name Jim Corbett. And when I was old enough to read, I pestered (yeah, old trait) my parents to buy me his books.
His Maneaters of Kumaon is an old favourite. But recently I read My India. And fell in love all over again with Corbett.
The man could not just wield a gun and a camera - he could also write - simple, heartfelt prose that still appeals over the space of 70 years.
My old hardcover sits lovingly on my shelf... But the pages have aged and yellowed. So I now read the ebook instead. Don't you love the cover?
Highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stories my mom told, books my mom read to me, stories from mythology my grandma told me. I was obviously a little pest.
Travelling on a long train journey, I remember pestering a man sitting in the same carriage for stories.
After running out of fairytales and mythological tales, he told me stories about Jim Corbett. Corbett the hunter. Corbett the saviour of thousands of Indian villagers. Corbett the man who courageously took on maneaters. Corbett the naturalist.
And I fell in love.
Whatever else I forgot, I remembered the name Jim Corbett. And when I was old enough to read, I pestered (yeah, old trait) my parents to buy me his books.
His Maneaters of Kumaon is an old favourite. But recently I read My India. And fell in love all over again with Corbett.
The man could not just wield a gun and a camera - he could also write - simple, heartfelt prose that still appeals over the space of 70 years.
My old hardcover sits lovingly on my shelf... But the pages have aged and yellowed. So I now read the ebook instead. Don't you love the cover?
Highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 30, 2023
My India by Jim Corbett is a collection of anecdotes consisting of the author’s experiences with the poor of India. Corbett is an amazing raconteur and I am completely in awe with his writing style. Each story touched my soul and struck a chord in my heart. This book portrays the sensitive soul inside the ruthless hunter and therefore become very interesting to read. It also shows the culture and folklore of India from the point of view of a Britisher.
I found the character of Jim Corbett very amusing. He is relentless when he kills animals and birds for food or sport but at the same time he is gentle and compassionate when he looks after the animals he has orphaned or when he succours the workers under him. I particularly liked the part where the author described his struggle when he was in the railways. His narration is such that it lacks hubris but still makes the reader admire him. overall, the book was an amazing read.
I found the character of Jim Corbett very amusing. He is relentless when he kills animals and birds for food or sport but at the same time he is gentle and compassionate when he looks after the animals he has orphaned or when he succours the workers under him. I particularly liked the part where the author described his struggle when he was in the railways. His narration is such that it lacks hubris but still makes the reader admire him. overall, the book was an amazing read.
October 25, 2021
"My India" by "Jim Corbett" is a memoir, and anecdotal account of his life lived in various regions of India. Jim is known for being an illustrated hunter of man-eaters in India.
Some stories are hair-raising, some too shocking to believe and some are plan/raw experiences with the beasts in the plains. The book also details his intense love for India and Indians. It can be called Jim's unofficial biography.
A good read to understand India of the past and how Jim's experiences are an authentic retelling of the times we lived in.
Some stories are hair-raising, some too shocking to believe and some are plan/raw experiences with the beasts in the plains. The book also details his intense love for India and Indians. It can be called Jim's unofficial biography.
A good read to understand India of the past and how Jim's experiences are an authentic retelling of the times we lived in.
July 5, 2013
A very different Book than normal Jim corbett stories. Normally the stories related to various hunts are part of his book, but this book talks about then people of Northan Provience. It sketches some very memorable scenes and scenarios.
Unfortunately after reading we realise that ground realities for very poors of caste torn north has not changed much since last 200 years :(
Unfortunately after reading we realise that ground realities for very poors of caste torn north has not changed much since last 200 years :(
April 7, 2016
This book is a wonderful collection of stories like the ones that you would hear from your grandparents about India during the British times, the ones you'd wish never ended. Thoroughly enjoyable stories of forest, wild animals, railways and people of India.
October 27, 2016
A wonderful book with amazing stories and explaning about the life in india
September 24, 2024
Jim Corbett, an iconic figure in Indian literature and wildlife conservation, is best known for his gripping tales of man-eating tigers and his deep understanding of rural life in India. His collection, often celebrated as a classic, paints a vivid picture of the human experience in the picturesque yet perilous foothills of the Himalayas. Through his eloquent storytelling, Corbett not only captures the thrill of the hunt but also expresses profound empathy for the villagers whose lives are intertwined with the unpredictable presence of wildlife.
In his book My India, Corbett shares a series of anecdotes that bring to life the culture, traditions, and struggles of the people living in the rural landscapes during the British Raj. Each chapter features compelling characters and gripping incidents, often involving encounters with tigers, that showcase the delicate balance between human beings and nature. The author’s observations reflect a respect and admiration for the people of India, particularly highlighting the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims before the arrival of outside tensions. This insight provides readers with a poignant understanding of a time and place marked by both beauty and strife.
The collection serves as a reminder of Corbett's dual legacy as both a skilled hunter and a passionate conservationist. While his earlier works focus on his hunts, later writings reveal a deep commitment to protecting wildlife, particularly tigers. His narratives reflect not just his experiences in the field but also a growing awareness of the need to preserve the natural world. Corbett's transformation from hunter to protector is an essential aspect of his character that resonates throughout his stories.
The personal journey of a reader is also reflected in one review that recounts the author’s long-standing relationship with Corbett’s works. After many years of keeping My India on their bookshelf, the reviewer finally picked it up and was captivated by its beauty and clarity. They praised Corbett’s skillful writing and keen observations, which brought the rural landscape and its inhabitants to life. This connection demonstrates the timelessness of Corbett's narratives, making them relevant even decades after their publication.
Another reviewer noted the non-fictional nature of Corbett’s writing, emphasizing that each chapter is filled with real-life anecdotes rather than fictional tales. This authenticity allows readers to immerse themselves in the experiences of the characters, from rural villagers to majestic tigers, creating a sense of intimacy and urgency. The reviewer expressed a desire to visit Jim Corbett National Park, named in his honor, and to see his preserved home at Mokameh Ghat, reinforcing the lasting impact Corbett has had on wildlife conservation and tourism in India.
Overall, Jim Corbett's My India is more than just a collection of stories about man-eaters; it’s a heartfelt homage to the people and landscapes of India. Through Corbett’s lens, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the cultural richness of the villages that inhabit it. His legacy continues to inspire both conservation efforts and literary pursuits, ensuring that his narratives remain cherished by new generations of readers. Whether you are an admirer of wildlife, an enthusiast of historical narratives, or simply seeking compelling storytelling, Corbett's work offers a captivating journey into the heart of India’s wilderness and its resilient people.
In his book My India, Corbett shares a series of anecdotes that bring to life the culture, traditions, and struggles of the people living in the rural landscapes during the British Raj. Each chapter features compelling characters and gripping incidents, often involving encounters with tigers, that showcase the delicate balance between human beings and nature. The author’s observations reflect a respect and admiration for the people of India, particularly highlighting the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims before the arrival of outside tensions. This insight provides readers with a poignant understanding of a time and place marked by both beauty and strife.
The collection serves as a reminder of Corbett's dual legacy as both a skilled hunter and a passionate conservationist. While his earlier works focus on his hunts, later writings reveal a deep commitment to protecting wildlife, particularly tigers. His narratives reflect not just his experiences in the field but also a growing awareness of the need to preserve the natural world. Corbett's transformation from hunter to protector is an essential aspect of his character that resonates throughout his stories.
The personal journey of a reader is also reflected in one review that recounts the author’s long-standing relationship with Corbett’s works. After many years of keeping My India on their bookshelf, the reviewer finally picked it up and was captivated by its beauty and clarity. They praised Corbett’s skillful writing and keen observations, which brought the rural landscape and its inhabitants to life. This connection demonstrates the timelessness of Corbett's narratives, making them relevant even decades after their publication.
Another reviewer noted the non-fictional nature of Corbett’s writing, emphasizing that each chapter is filled with real-life anecdotes rather than fictional tales. This authenticity allows readers to immerse themselves in the experiences of the characters, from rural villagers to majestic tigers, creating a sense of intimacy and urgency. The reviewer expressed a desire to visit Jim Corbett National Park, named in his honor, and to see his preserved home at Mokameh Ghat, reinforcing the lasting impact Corbett has had on wildlife conservation and tourism in India.
Overall, Jim Corbett's My India is more than just a collection of stories about man-eaters; it’s a heartfelt homage to the people and landscapes of India. Through Corbett’s lens, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the cultural richness of the villages that inhabit it. His legacy continues to inspire both conservation efforts and literary pursuits, ensuring that his narratives remain cherished by new generations of readers. Whether you are an admirer of wildlife, an enthusiast of historical narratives, or simply seeking compelling storytelling, Corbett's work offers a captivating journey into the heart of India’s wilderness and its resilient people.
January 23, 2021
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I shouldn't have been given how good Man Eaters of Kumaon was. This time Corbett gives us several vignettes about his life in northern India. Yes, there are a couple of hunting stories, but the majority of them revolve around the memorable figures in his life, especially while he was employed by the railroad. In that position he interacted with the poor, who invariably turn out to be brave, humble, and generous. His accounts are vivid and charming, just like his other books. An easy read, and an enjoyable one at that.
Memorable Quotes
> ‘You are now no longer a boy, but a man; and with this good gun you can go anywhere you like in our jungles and never be afraid, provided you learn how to climb trees.’ And I will now tell you a story to show how necessary it is for us men who shoot in the jungles to know how to do so.
> Mothi was at that time fourteen years of age, and had been married for six years. One of his first acts on finding himself unexpectedly the head of the family was to fetch his twelve-year-old wife—whom he had not seen since the day of their wedding
> When the history of the rise and fall of British Imperialism is written, due consideration will have to be given to the important part red tape played in the fall of the British raj.
> Of all the brave deeds that I have witnessed, or that I have read or heard about, I count Haria’s rescue of Narwa the greatest. Unarmed and alone in a great expanse of jungle, to respond to the cry of a companion in distress and to pull that companion away from an angry tiger that was lying on him, and then to drag and carry that companion for two miles up a steep hill to a place of safety, not knowing but that the tiger was following, needed a degree of courage that is given to few, and that any man could envy
> Budhu was a man of the Depressed Class, and during all the years I knew him I never saw him smile: his life had been too hard and the iron had entered deep into his very soul.
> Hardworking people are always cheerful, for they have no time to manufacture imaginary troubles, which are always worse than real ones.
Memorable Quotes
> ‘You are now no longer a boy, but a man; and with this good gun you can go anywhere you like in our jungles and never be afraid, provided you learn how to climb trees.’ And I will now tell you a story to show how necessary it is for us men who shoot in the jungles to know how to do so.
> Mothi was at that time fourteen years of age, and had been married for six years. One of his first acts on finding himself unexpectedly the head of the family was to fetch his twelve-year-old wife—whom he had not seen since the day of their wedding
> When the history of the rise and fall of British Imperialism is written, due consideration will have to be given to the important part red tape played in the fall of the British raj.
> Of all the brave deeds that I have witnessed, or that I have read or heard about, I count Haria’s rescue of Narwa the greatest. Unarmed and alone in a great expanse of jungle, to respond to the cry of a companion in distress and to pull that companion away from an angry tiger that was lying on him, and then to drag and carry that companion for two miles up a steep hill to a place of safety, not knowing but that the tiger was following, needed a degree of courage that is given to few, and that any man could envy
> Budhu was a man of the Depressed Class, and during all the years I knew him I never saw him smile: his life had been too hard and the iron had entered deep into his very soul.
> Hardworking people are always cheerful, for they have no time to manufacture imaginary troubles, which are always worse than real ones.
April 22, 2020
Been a big admirer of Jim Corbett since "Man-eater of Rudraprayag". Was expecting stories of the Indian jungles in this book.
The book covers the stories involving the people who stayed on the outskirts of the forest and how they lived harmoniously with nature.
I especially liked a few incidents mentioned in the book.
1. Law of the Jungles: The author depicts the picture of a forest filled with animals that can harm humans and how a couple of kids survived the jungle without a scratch on their bodies.
2. Moti: Moti casually walking through the jungle comes face to face with a tiger and survives. I have always dreamed of staying in the jungle but things like these have not been thought through by me. The imagination of the incident sends shivers down the body.
3. The loyalty of the Indian people who might have been monetarily poor but were rich in compassion and love for humanity and nature. Multiple stories have been told in this regard which reiterates that Indians were morally strong which we seem to have forgotten.
The book covers the stories involving the people who stayed on the outskirts of the forest and how they lived harmoniously with nature.
I especially liked a few incidents mentioned in the book.
1. Law of the Jungles: The author depicts the picture of a forest filled with animals that can harm humans and how a couple of kids survived the jungle without a scratch on their bodies.
2. Moti: Moti casually walking through the jungle comes face to face with a tiger and survives. I have always dreamed of staying in the jungle but things like these have not been thought through by me. The imagination of the incident sends shivers down the body.
3. The loyalty of the Indian people who might have been monetarily poor but were rich in compassion and love for humanity and nature. Multiple stories have been told in this regard which reiterates that Indians were morally strong which we seem to have forgotten.
July 3, 2021
I knew only Jim Corbett as British officer served in India. But after reading the small starting notes by him in beginning of the book gave impression that he is not a typical Brit who manipulated Indians for their goodness. Yes Jim Corbett also served British government but he wasn't in position to change life of whole Indians. But he did many good things for people surrounded him. These accounts were well written and interesting as well. Be it his hunting experience and incidents on his village or his incidents with labours each episodes were great. My respect towards him is increased massively when he said he wanted go where Chamari went. He was a good noble soul. Looking forward for other Jim Corbett books.
April 29, 2024
I always thought Corbett's popularity must be a testimony to the exciting vividness of his hunting travelogues. As much as I loved the Preface where he promised to speak of the rural hilly people whose history was unaccounted for amidst the political history of the Partition, the subsequent pages were a disappointing.
The animal-human conflict is a nuanced paradigm that continues till date, almost a century later. Governments have failed to address this issue with effectiveness. Corbett looks at it in a simple and anecdotal way with a Western gaze that he tries to deny under the guise of self-proclaimed authenticity.
Corbett's book to me seems like an attempt to fascinate the Occidental imagination about the phenomenon that the Indian tiger is. I hope I am wrong and that there is more to his books.
The animal-human conflict is a nuanced paradigm that continues till date, almost a century later. Governments have failed to address this issue with effectiveness. Corbett looks at it in a simple and anecdotal way with a Western gaze that he tries to deny under the guise of self-proclaimed authenticity.
Corbett's book to me seems like an attempt to fascinate the Occidental imagination about the phenomenon that the Indian tiger is. I hope I am wrong and that there is more to his books.
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