Mangal Pandey, who served as a sepoy in the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, was one of the most prominent figures of the ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ or the ‘First War of Independence’. Also known as “Shaheed Mangal Pandey”, he was one of the first freedom fighters from India executed by the British.

His martyrdom led to the revolution that sparked the nationalist sentiments of the people across the country. He is revered for his audacity and fortitude to fight against what he believed was an injustice to the personal beliefs and religious sentiments of the people of India.

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Early Life of Mangal Pandey

• Mangal Pandey was born on 19 July 1827. Different sources give different locations as his birthplace. Born to Diwakar Pandey and Abhay Rani, he belonged to a conservative Hindu Brahmin family. He set his heart on the dream to join the army since childhood. In 1849, at the age of 22, he joined the Indian Army.
• His initial appointment as a sepoy was in the 6th Company of the Native Bengal Infantry, He joined with passion and considered the opportunity appropriate to build a rewarding career in the army.
• However, things turned out the opposite way when his religious beliefs conflicted with his professional interests.

Read about Vellore Mutiny, another large-scale mutiny against the British, from the linked article.

Introduction of Greased Cartridges

• When he got posted in a garrison in Barrackpore around mid-1850, the British introduced a new bullet cartridge in the Enfield P-53 rifle. To load the rifle, soldiers had to bite the end of the cartridges, greased at the ends. The cartridges were greased supposedly with animal fat from pigs and cows. According to Hindu belief, cows were held in high regard, and pigs were considered abhorrent by Muslims. Most of the soldiers considered this a deliberate attempt from the British to befoul their religion.
• Along with that, Colonel.S.Wheeler, who belonged to the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, preached Bible verses and distributed the same, printed in Hindi and Urdu, to the soldiers. Many of the soldiers saw this as an intentional effort for religious conversion.
• Annexation of the princely state of Oudh had negative repercussions on the 34th regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry. A significant part of the infantry hailed from Oudh. Post annexation, they lost the privilege as an independent political entity and the right to petition the British Resident for justice.
• Mangal Pandey lodged an objection to the British officials, which was useless. Following this, new cartridges greased with pork, and cow fat were distributed to the infantry. Soldiers, along with Mangal Pandey refused to use them. Infuriated British officials ordered them to remove their uniforms and lay down their weapons. Mangal Pandey then decided to plot against the British and persuaded his fellow soldiers to revolt against the British.
• On 29 March 1857, Mangal Pandey, in an excited state, was roaming around the barracks with a loaded gun intended to shoot the first British officer he set his eyes on. He yelled at his fellow sepoys, “Come out, the Europeans are here, and by biting these cartridges, we shall become infidels.” Further inquiries post the mutiny confirmed that Pandey was intoxicated with some narcotics.
• On hearing the news of unrest among sepoys, Adjutant Lieutenant Bempade Bagh armed himself and rushed to the regiment on his horse. Pandey tried to fire at Baugh, positioning himself behind the station gun. Baug had a narrow escape and reverted by firing from his pistol. Pandey immediately attacked him with a large sword..
• A Sergeant Major of the British army also arrived at the scene. He tried to snatch weapons from Pandey and fire at him. Another sepoy from the regiment, Shaikh Paltu tried to restrain Pandey. But, he was threatened by other sepoys to step back. Jemadar Ishwari Prasad was asked to arrest Pandey, for which he replied that he alone could not carry out the task.
• Meanwhile, commanding officer General Hearsey rushed to the spot with two officers. He drew his pistol and ordered the guards to seize Pandey, or else he would shoot them down. As soon as Hearsay and the guard rushed to catch him, Pandey attempted to fire at himself with the musket. He was badly wounded and collapsed.

To know more about the Social causes of the revolt of 1857, refer to the linked article.

Execution of Mangal Pandey

• He was taken into custody and presented to the court, once he recovered. During the trials, he affirmed that he mutinied of his own will and that no other individuals, including fellow soldiers, were responsible for his deeds. He was found guilty by the court and was sentenced to death by hanging. Jemadar Ishwari Prasad was also sentenced to hanging, based on the testimony by three members of the quarter guard that he had ordered not to arrest Mangal Pandey.
• Following the judgment, Mangal Pandey was executed on 8th April, and Ishwari Prasad was hanged on 21st April.
• A further investigation was held, following the disbandment of the 34th B.N.I regiment. The soldiers and the regiment were accused of their inefficiency to control a mutinous soldier. Sepoy Sheikh Patlu has been rewarded the post of Havildar for his behaviour but was murdered in the Barrackpore cantonment.

Consequences

• According to reports by different historians, Mangal Pandey’s attack on the British and his subsequent execution marked the onset of the revolt of 1857. About one month after his execution, a revolt broke out in the military cantonment in Meerut and set off a number of mutinies. In India, he is considered one of the first freedom fighters, who fought against the British.
• Mangal Pandey’s actions are believed to have inspired the later iconic figures of the Indian National Movement. Many modern Indian Nationalists considered Mangal Pandey as the prime mover behind the conspiracy to initiate a fight against the British. A noted Indian Independence activist and politician, V.D Savarkar opined that Pandey was one of the early manifestations of Nationalism in India.

Commemoration

• In October 1984, as a tribute to his efforts, the Government of India issued a postage stamp with his image.
• A Park named Shaheed Mangal Pandey Maha Udyan has been set up to recognize his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle.
• Every year, July 19 is celebrated as Mangal Pandey Jayanti, and many people, including politicians, pay tribute to him on this particular day.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mangal Pandey

What is Mangal Pandey famous for?

Mangal Pandey is considered the pioneer of the ‘Indian Rebellion of 1857’.Following a controversial decision by the British to supply cartridges greased with fat from cows and pigs, he initiated his mutiny against the British and attacked them. Following that, he was court-martialed and executed. He is considered a hero in India for his bravery and doughtiness.

Why was Mangal Pandey executed?

Mangal Pandey was arrested and executed on April 8, after he attacked the British officers in Barrackpore and revolted against them. Served as a sepoy of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, he was enraged when Britishers supplied cartridges greased with animal fat, which hurt the religious sentiments of soldiers in the infantry.

What is the role of Mangal Pandey in the revolt of 1857?

Mangal Panday is considered one of the forerunners of the Indian Independence struggle of 1857. He pioneered the Sepoy Mutiny, which eventually turned into the rebellion of 1848.

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