Mangal Pandey, the first martyr of the freedom struggle of 1857

23/7/2024,

Today is the birth anniversary of Mangal Pandey, the first martyr of the freedom struggle of 1857. He was born on July 19, 1827, in Nagwa village, Faizabad district, Uttar Pradesh. He has been brave since childhood. He was well-versed in the art of swordsmanship and sword fighting. 

In 1849, at the age of 22, he became the 34th B.C. of Bengal in the Barrackpore East India Company. n. I was assigned to the 5th company. Around the same time, Lord Dalhousie came to India as the Governor-General of the East India Company. 

At that time, although the British Raj was established in the whole of India, directly or indirectly, small kings or princely states looked after the administration of their territory. As this did not lead to the establishment of an umbrella empire for the British, Lord Dalhousie began to devour the institution. The institution of Niputrik Sansthan began to crumble. 

The propaganda of hurting the religious sentiments of the people due to British laws began. Actually, during the reign of Dalhousie, schemes like postal, railway, and good customs were also being implemented. But since the king was like a god to the people, the institution hurt the sentiments of the people. There were rumours that the bullets were laced with cow and pig fat. Before the cartridges could be loaded into the gun, the casing had to be broken with teeth. 

Therefore, the soldiers in the Barrackpore range refused to accept the cartridges. Not only that, but they took up arms to resist. Since the number of British officers was lower on that day, the British preferred to keep quiet. The British sought reinforcements of white soldiers from Burma and decided to disarm and humiliate the battalion.

 

Following his discovery of this dehumanising deed, Mangal Pandey urged his fellow rebels to take up arms against the British.

Actually, Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwe, etc., had a plan to launch a revolutionary war worldwide on May 31st. However, he found the taunts from his fellow 19th battalion members offensive. Mangal Pandey started rallying the indigenous soldiers against British oppression in the Barrackpore camp on March 29, 1857, at the parade ground. "Man, wake up!" Let's go, brothers and sisters! You're following your faith! Let's eliminate our opponent.

Sgt. Maj. Hewson ordered that they be captured, but none of the soldiers moved. On the other hand, Heusan was injured by a bullet fired by Mangal Pandey. On seeing this, Lieutenant Bow 'came walking on horseback on Mars. At the same time, a bullet fired from Mangal's gun entered the horse's stomach.

 

The lieutenant and the horse skidded to the ground. Lieutenant Bau pulled out his handgun and stood up before Mangal Pandey could fire again. But Mangal Pandey remained unfazed. Mangal Pandey didn't catch Baugh's name when he discharged the pistol. He was also slain by Mangal Pandey using his sword. Bow and Hewson ran to their accommodations. After that, General Hiers and a sizable contingent of European soldiers advanced on Mangal Pandey. It was mid-afternoon. 

Mangal Pandey felt worn out. He stopped the revolver in his chest and shot himself, realising he would end up in the firangas' hands. After falling down the dam, Mangal Pandey became insane. They were taken into custody.

 

 

He was arraigned in military court a week later. He was hanged on April 8, 1857.