Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier in the British Army who played a key role in the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. From 1849 to 1857, he was employed in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) of the British East India Company. On April 8, 1857, he was hanged by the British for opposing Indian colonial rule.
Wiki/Biography
Mangal Pandey was born on Thursday, July 19, 1827, in Nagwa, Ballia District, a province ceded and conquered by the Indian Company (age 30 years at the time of death). His zodiac sign is Cancer.
family and caste
He belongs to the Brahmin community.
Parents and siblings
His father Diwakar Pandey was a farmer. His mother’s name is Abhay Rani. Mangal Pandey had a sister who died in the famine of 1830.
wife
Mangal Pandey is not married.
religion
He is a follower of Hinduism.
Profession
british army
In 1849, the Bengal Army recruited Mangal Pandey as a private in the 5th Company of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry.
Rebellious
In March 1857, several Indian men in the British army began to revolt against the British government. This information was received by Lieutenant Bowe, the adjutant of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry stationed at Barakpur. On March 29, 1857, Mangal Pandey pointed a loaded rifle at the regiment’s guardhouse and threatened to shoot all Europeans. He also urged other military personnel to accompany him. After receiving the information, Lieutenant Bao quickly loaded his ammunition and rushed towards Mangal Pandey. On the other side, Pandey fought back against Baugh, who fell off his horse, but he quickly stood up and fired at Mangal Pandey who was using an Indian sword. Another British sergeant, Hewson, arrived at the scene of the incident and ordered Jermadar Ishwari Prasad, an Indian officer commanding the Quarter Guards, to arrest Mangal Pandey. Meanwhile, Pandey began shooting at Hewson. Hewson tried to capture Mangal Pandey while Pandey fought with Lieutenant Bowe, but all in vain. Soon, other soldiers gathered near the ground to watch the battle. A British soldier, Shaikh Paltu, had just arrived at the scene of the accident and tried to help Lieutenant Bowe and Hewson; however, the soldiers who were bystanders began to attack Paltu with stones and shoes. Partu called Ishwari Prasad for help, but Ishwari Prasad threatened Partu that he would shoot him if he did not leave Mangal Pandey. Soon, General Hussey, the commander of the regiment, learned of the incident. He then rushed to the scene with two British policemen and ordered his men to arrest Mangal Pandey. Rumor has it that he will shoot anyone who tries to disobey his orders. During the scuffle with the two soldiers, Mangal Pandey pulled the trigger of his rifle with his foot and he started bleeding and his regimental jacket caught fire. Mangal Pandey was arrested.
Image of Mangal Pandey attacking a British lieutenant before Shaikh Paltu pleads for mercy
court trial
Mangal Pandey was brought before the court soon after his arrest. He told the court that he was not influenced by anyone and no one provoked him to rebel. He takes responsibility for his actions. Mangal Pandey said in a statement that he was under the influence of an intoxicating substance.
Resistance motivation
The main purpose of Mangal Pandey’s reported mutiny is not yet clear. During the incident in Barrackpur, he was heard shouting:
Come out – the Europeans are coming”; “Bite these bullets and we will become infidels” and “You sent me here, why don’t you follow me. “
Shortly after his arrest and during the court proceedings, he claimed that he was under the influence of narcotic substances (marijuana and opium). He further told the court that he was unaware of his actions on March 29, 1857.
result
Before Mangal Pandey launched his rebellion, there were various reasons for rumors of distrust among Indians in the British Army. It is said that the British government has launched a new magazine for the Enfield P-53 rifle. The bullets were rumored to be coated with cow and pig fat. Consumption of cattle and pigs was restricted by Hindus and Muslims respectively, and soldiers had to bite the bullet before using cartridges. Some Indian soldiers in the British regiment believed that the British deliberately coated their cartridges with animal fat in order to hurt the religious sentiments of the Indian community.
die
Mangal Pandey was executed by the British Government India Company on 8 April 1857 in Barrackpore, Calcutta, Bengal Province. Ishwari Prasad was hanged on April 21, 1857. Ishwari Prasad ordered the Sikh members of Quarter Guard not to arrest Mangal Pandey during the Barakpur incident.
Facts/Trivia
- In 1984, the Indian government issued a stamp named after Mangal Pandey to commemorate his sacrifice.
Mangal Pandey on Indian postage stamp 1984
- After Mangal Pandey’s arrest and death, investigation records mentioned that Mangal Pandey, while under the influence of marijuana and opium, snatched weapons and targeted the Quarter Guard Building.
- First, Mangal Pandey’s hanging date was scheduled for April 18, 1857; however, he was hanged by the colonial government on April 8, 1857.
- Later, the place where Mangal Pandey challenged the British government was named “Shahid Mangal Pandey Maha Udyan” by the Indian government in his honor.
Mangal Pandey Park in Barrackpore
- Some historians believe that Mangal Pandey’s rebellion against British rule was more religious than patriotic.
- Mangal Pandey launched a rebellion against colonial rule in Barrackpore in 1857. After his execution, the rebellion spread to Meerut, Delhi and ), Cawnpore and Lucknow.
- Major General Hussey made a recommendation to Lord Canning who later approved and allowed the use of an alternative form of cartridge grease by Indian soldiers in the British Army shortly after the Mangal Pandey Rebellion.
- After Mangal Pandey’s rebellion, the British government in India started losing confidence in its power to rule. Soon the reigns passed to Queen Victoria.
- In 2005, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan played the role of Mangal Pandey in the movie “Mangal Pandey – The Rise of”. In the same year, a stage play based on the life of Mangal Pandey was also staged in Mumbai.
mangal pandy movie poster
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education