"Gunga Din" by Rudyard Kipling (poetry)

In Hindi, Gunga Din means "Spirit of the Ganges". British Tommies are not noted for pronouncing foreign words correctly. In fact deliberate mispronunciation seems to amuse them more: they pronounced "Ypres" as "Wipers", and "India" as "Injia". Nevertheless I am grateful to those who have provided the correct native pronunciations for the Hindi words.

It seems superfluous these days for the poet to say that some of the people of India were brave and noble as any white man. This might seem condescending now but it was bold in its time. Gunga Din was only a water carrier, but he played his part as bravely as any soldier, saved lives and earned their respect.

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• Gunga
• Din
• Rudyard
• Kipling
• poem

[adilzafar]

Thanks! In Hindi, 'din' is pronounced more as 'deen'. Like grin and green.

[SpokenVerse]

Thank you. Looking at the rhymes, I can see that's what Kipling intended too. Queen - been - green - spleen- canteen. However, I've never heard anybody say it that way, so it's become traditional.

[freebeerfordworkers]

Bad - but I would like to have asked them why because British soldiers usually get on with anyone.

As to leaving him in a firefight.

About 1970 a foot patrol just forgot a man in Belfast. The kid (19) was beaten to death by local women with clubs before an 18 year old IRA man finished him off as he lay on the ground and took his rifle. To be fair a couple of the woman retained some humanity ran ran to get help but they were too late.

What a world.

[hansw16]

Thanks for posting this nice poem By RK

hans

[gartnavel89]

My grandad (1917 - 2005) used to sing this when he came home from the pub. He'd forget the lyrics halfway through and start over again. This would go on for hours. My gran once beat him with a fire poker for it.

[gdprosper]

Quite enjoyed this one

[loribit85]

I was amazed at how many times Gunga Din is quoted or referred to in movies -besides of course the very movie about his story- and music.

[dumdebadaba]

unusual

[sijour]

nice work. tho i've always heard it pronounced 'deen'.

i love the last line of this poem. captures the spirit of the raj perfectly, i think. whatever they say, there was something honourable about the british empire, even if guilt driven.

[ronnocdlanor]

Thanks so much for this x made my day too 5*******

[baileytom78]

Thats what I needed to hear today thanks Bailey78

[dremkes]

Very descriptive. I met an Iraqi national interpreter who while working for the British Army, took his plate of food and sat down at the table of the soldiers he worked with. The British Soldiers promptly got up and went to sit at another table. Also once during a firefight, they accidentally left him in a hostile area, him wearing a British uniform.