The Grave of the Hundred Head

Name: The Grave of the Hundred Head
Author: Rudyard Kipling

The narrative unfolds in a colonial setting, focusing on the aftermath of a soldier's death in a remote area. A widow mourns her son, a lieutenant killed in action, prompting a group of soldiers, led by Subadar Prag Tewarri, to honor him with a burial by the Pabeng River. The soldiers, despite being of different backgrounds, express their grief and respect through a ceremonial burial, vowing to ensure the lieutenant's soul reaches the afterlife properly. Following the burial, the soldiers embark on a mission of retribution against a nearby village believed to be responsible for the lieutenant's death. They prepare for battle, demonstrating military discipline and strategy as they engage the enemy. The conflict is brutal, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. The soldiers take trophies from the slain, specifically heads, as a grim symbol of their vengeance. The act of collecting heads serves as a stark reminder of the violent nature of colonial warfare and the cultural practices surrounding honor and retribution. The soldiers construct a macabre monument to their victory, placing the head of the village leader atop a pile of trophies, alongside the lieutenant's head, signifying the price of his death. The poem concludes with a somber reflection on the cycle of violence and the heavy toll it takes on both the victors and the vanquished. The widow's grief is echoed in the silence that follows the conflict, highlighting the futility and sorrow inherent in such acts of vengeance. The narrative encapsulates themes of loss, honor, and the brutal realities of colonial military engagements.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1893 · Genre: War Poetry, Historical Fiction, Narrative Poetry · 813 words

First lines

There's a widow in sleepy Chester Who weeps for her only son; There's a grave on the Pabeng River, A grave that the Burmans shun, And there's Subadar Prag Tewarri Who tells how the work was done.

A Snider squibbed in the jungle, Somebody laughed and fled, And the men of the First Shikaris Picked up their Subaltern dead, With a big blue mark in his forehead And the back blown out of his head.

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The Grave of the Hundred Head is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1893 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1893 CE
Language: English
Genres: War Poetry, Historical Fiction, Narrative Poetry, Tragedy, Colonial Literature
Length: 813 words
Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

War Poetry — The poem depicts the brutal realities of war, focusing on the themes of death, honor, and revenge.
Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects the colonial experience and the interactions between British soldiers and local populations.
Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through verse, employing a structured narrative style.
Tragedy — The themes of loss, mourning, and the consequences of violence contribute to a tragic tone.