Corbett's Masterpiece
Recently finished a hunting masterpiece, "Man-Eaters of Kumaon," penned by Anglo-Indian naturalist and hunter Major Jim Corbett. The book delves deep into the hunting playgrounds of the Pauri-Garhwal and Kumaon regions, which are under the reign of terror of these man-eating tigers. The book incorporates the seven most fearful and gruesome encounters of Major Corbett with those predators, like the Mohan man-eaters, the Chowgarh tigers, the Bachelor of Powalgarh and many more.
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| Corbett posing with carcass of "Bachelor of Powalgarh" , 1930. |
The book is a treat for adventure avid, with its simple language and crisp presentation; it hooks the reader until you turn the last page. Apart from hunting encounters, the book also unravels the Corbetts' love for nature. Major Corbett also highlighted the psychology behind the animals and how they developed man-eating tendencies.
The hunting of these creatures took extreme focus, determination, patience, and most importantly, grit and bravery, and Corbett was the man who embodied it all. Edward James Corbett was born in Nainital and spent seven decades in India. He never married and lived with his beloved sister Maggie at his home, 'Gurney House,' in Nainital. In his early years he served in the British army as a major (later promoted to lieutenant colonel and colonel) and then developed an interest in wildlife and worked as a freelance hunter who tracked and killed around thirty tigers between 1907 and 1938. During this time he extensively worked with British officials and played a pivotal role in the establishment of India's first national park, "Jim Corbett National Park," in 1936 alongside Sir Malcolm Hailey. After the Independence of India, he shifted to Kenya with his sister and spent his last years amongst the tranquility of nature and passed away in 1955.
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| Jim Corbett in 1944. |
This book was first published in 1944 and quickly became the bestseller and around one lakh copies were sold worldwide in just six months. With time the book was translated into twelve different languages to cater the taste of Corbett's best gourmet in many other countries.
If you are the one with a keen interest in real-life adventures and memoirs, this book is perfectly suited for you. So what are you waiting for? Just buy, sit, and enjoy.
Did You Know ?
The book served as the inspiration for American director Bryon Haskin's 1948 Hollywood film of the same name.
Thank You,
Sarthak P. Khode ЁЯШК