The Ballad of Boh Da Thone
The narrative follows a bold warrior, a pretender to a throne, who terrorizes a region, gaining notoriety for his violent exploits. He is pursued by a determined captain and his company, who struggle to capture him despite their efforts. The captain's men, comprised of Irish soldiers, face numerous challenges as they track the elusive warrior, who continues to evade capture and wreak havoc. As the story unfolds, the captain suffers a gunshot wound inflicted by the warrior, leading to a fever that haunts him with visions of his enemy. Meanwhile, the warrior continues his raids, and the captain eventually leaves the conflict behind to marry a woman unaware of his violent past. The plot thickens when the government bullock train, carrying a significant load, becomes stuck, and the warrior seizes the opportunity to attack. In a chaotic skirmish, the captain's men engage in a fierce battle against the warrior and his gang. Amidst the chaos, a comical yet tragic turn of events occurs when the Babu, a government clerk, inadvertently falls on the warrior, leading to his demise. The captain, now living a peaceful life with his bride, is oblivious to the events surrounding the warrior's death. However, the past catches up with him when the head of the warrior is delivered to him as a trophy, accompanied by a letter from the Babu detailing the circumstances of the kill. This moment forces the captain to confront his memories of the conflict and the violence he once embraced. The story concludes with a reflection on the captain's duality, as he grapples with his past while embracing his new life. The narrative explores themes of violence, memory, and the complexities of identity, ultimately revealing the lasting impact of one's actions and the inescapable nature of the past. The captain's child, bearing a mark reminiscent of the warrior, symbolizes the intertwining of their fates, suggesting that the legacy of violence persists even in moments of peace.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 2,471 words
First lines
_This is the ballad of Boh Da Thone, Erst a Pretender to Theebaw's throne, Who harried the district of Alalone: How he met with his fate and the V. P. P.* At the hand of Harendra Mukerji, Senior Gomashta, G. B. T._
_* Value Payable Parcels Post: in which the Government collects the money for the sender._
What this Textopian page supports
The Ballad of Boh Da Thone is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Adventure, War Literature, Satire
- Length: 2,471 words
- Structure: 1 section, 104 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Ballad of Boh Da Thone by Rudyard Kipling
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in a ballad form, characterized by rhythmic and lyrical qualities.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against a historical backdrop involving colonial themes and characters.
- Adventure — The plot involves action, conflict, and the pursuit of a fugitive, typical of adventure narratives.
- War Literature — The themes explore the impact of war, conflict, and the experiences of soldiers.
Tags
adventure · poetry · narrative · mythology · folklore · exploration · cultural · historical · British literature · colonialism · identity · nature