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Dashrath Manjhi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth14 January 1929

AgeDeceased (78 at time of death)

BirthplaceGehlaur, Bihar, British India

ProfessionLabourer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidower

SpouseFalguni Devi (died 1960)

FamilySon - Bhagirath Manjhi; Daughter - 1; Parents - Names not known; Siblings - Brother - 1, Sister - Not known

Dashrath Manjhi Biography

Known as the ‘Mountain Man’, Dashrath Manjhi is remembered for single-handedly carving a road through a rocky hill in Bihar. His persistence over two-plus

Early life and background

Dashrath Das Manjhi was born on 14 January 1929 in the village of Gehlaur, in what was then British India’s Bihar province. He came from a Musahar community and spent his early years in and around Gaya district. As a young man he left home and worked for several years in the coal fields of Dhanbad before returning to his native area.

Manjhi married Falguni Devi; she and he had two children. In 1960 a tragic accident involving his wife, who suffered injuries and later died because timely medical care was not available, became the decisive event that set the course for the rest of his life.

Career

Dashrath Manjhi made his living as a labourer. After his wife’s death he resolved to eliminate the obstacle that had contributed to her inability to receive prompt treatment: a steep ridge that separated his village from the nearest town with medical and other services.

Working with a hammer and chisel, and later with occasional help from neighbours, Manjhi spent 22 years cutting a passage through the hill. The finished route measured roughly 360 feet in length, about 30 feet in height and around 25 feet in width. The new passage reduced travel distance between two blocks of Gaya district—Atri and Wazirganj—from 55 kilometres to 15 kilometres, providing a far shorter link for villagers who needed access to markets, clinics and other services.

Throughout the decades he worked, local reaction shifted from ridicule to respect. He walked to Delhi in an attempt to take his case to national leaders, an arduous journey that underlined his determination to publicize the situation of his community and press for further support.

Public profile

Manjhi’s extraordinary achievement attracted attention at both the state and national levels. In 2006 the government of Bihar put his name forward for the Padma Shri award in the social service category. State officials later acknowledged his contribution with a state funeral when he died in 2007.

His life story reached a wider audience through media and film. In 2015 director Ketan Mehta made a feature film about Manjhi’s life titled Manjhi – The Mountain Man, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing the lead role. Television programs also highlighted his struggle; in 2014 the second season of a popular series dedicated an episode to his story and brought attention to the situation of his surviving family.

Legacy and recognition

The path Manjhi carved eventually received further government attention: a paved road was built along the route after his death, improving access for villagers. Local authorities and communities have honored his memory in various ways, including the naming of an entrance gate, Dashrath Manjhi Dwar, and a hospital that carries his name. In December 2016 India Post issued a postal stamp in his honor.

Family and later years

Manjhi and Falguni Devi had a son, Bhagirath Manjhi, and a daughter. After his wife’s death in 1960, Dashrath remained a widower. He continued his work on the mountain until the passage was completed and lived to see growing recognition of what he had accomplished. Dashrath Manjhi died on 17 August 2007 at AIIMS, New Delhi, at the age of 78. The cause of death was gall bladder cancer.

Latest updates

Posthumous tributes and cultural portrayals have kept Manjhi’s story in public view. The 2015 film based on his life and the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp in 2016 are among the more visible reminders of his decades-long effort to change the daily realities of his village and its neighbours.

Manjhi’s life is often cited as an example of solitary perseverance and local civic action: a labourer who turned personal grief into decades of work that transformed access and connectivity for his community.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Dashrath Manjhi, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Manjhi – The Mountain Man (film)

Biographical film directed by Ketan Mehta about Dashrath Manjhi’s life, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte.

2015
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Career Highlights

  1. Single-handedly cut a 360-foot passage through a hill over 22 years
  2. Reduced travel between Atri and Wazirganj from 55 km to 15 km
  3. Subject of a 2015 biographical film and featured in national media
  4. Honored posthumously with a postal stamp and local memorials
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dashrath Manjhi born?

Dashrath Manjhi was born on 14 January 1929.

What is Dashrath Manjhi known for?

Dashrath Manjhi is known for labourer.

What is Dashrath Manjhi’s marital status?

Dashrath Manjhi's marital status is listed as Widower.

Who is Dashrath Manjhi married to?

Dashrath Manjhi is publicly listed as married to Falguni Devi (died 1960).