Author: Jim Corbett
There are books and there are books.
Man-Eaters of Kumaon is written by the famous British hunter, naturalist, and author. The action in the book takes place in Colonial India in the jungles of Kumaon and Garhwal region – the habitat of the Great Indian Tiger. It is a gripping tale with each chapter delving into the efforts taken to nab and hunt down the famous man-eaters of the time like Champawat Tiger and the Thak Man-eater.
If the title of the book makes the reader presume that the book is entirely about how Corbett carried out his hunting escapades with the help of locals to catch the big cats, it would be a mistake. This book is more than just a hunter’s diary. It instead takes the reader into the Jungles of Kumaon and Garhwal region, the lives of the natives, the peculiar behavior of the big cats, and the reasons for their turning into man-eaters from being carnivores.
One cannot miss the emotional and humanitarian aspects highlighted in Corbett’s narration of the events leading to the trapping or killing of the big cats. The book delves into a delicate balance between the fight for habitat between humans and wildlife.
The uniquely evocative writing style of Jim Corbett makes the book stand apart. The detailed descriptions of the breathtaking scenery of the Kumaon landscape give the reader a peek into India’s rich wilderness. The author has succeeded in being compassionate towards the big cats to the point of humanizing them to understand their side of the story. It is not a mere gory detailed writing of tiger killings but presents a riveting account of the struggle by the man and the beast fighting for their survival.
The book is a must-read for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and history buffs. The setting of the book in Colonial India makes the reader realize the simplicity of life as well as the immense hardships faced by the people. Above all, one must read this book to understand the unmatched respect Corbett had for nature and India’s rich wildlife.
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