Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier who played a key part in the events immediately preceding the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. July 19 marks his birth anniversary, one of the greatest Indian soldiers who inked his name in the books of Indian history forever.
Born in 1827, he was the sepoy in the Bengal Native Infantry's 34th Regiment of the British East India Company. He was a brave and courageous warrior of India who stood against injustice. He spearheaded the Revolt of 1857, which is also known as the first war of Indian Independence.
More about Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey, who was a devoted Hindu Brahmin was furious by the suspected use of fat in the cartridges and decided to take a stand and show his disapproval by taking a violent stand against the British.
At the Barrackpore ground near Kolkata, on 29 March 1857, Pandey attacked British officers at the military garrison. During this attack, Pandey too was wounded, but recovered and brought to trial in lesser than a week later.
When asked if he had been under the influence of any substances, Pandey stated that he had mutinied on his own accord and that no other person had played any part in encouraging him. He was then hanged to death on April 8, 1857.
