Mangal Pandey

Mangal Pandey was born on July 19, 1827, in Nagwa, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India. His father, Divakar Pandey, was a farmer, and his mother, Abhiyadevi, was a housewife. Mangal was the eldest son of his parents and had two younger brothers.

Mangal Pandey joined the British East India Company's army in 1849 and was posted to the 34th Bengal Native Infantry regiment. He received his training in Barrackpore, West Bengal, where he met other Indian soldiers who were also discontent with British rule.

In 1857, Mangal Pandey became a central figure in the Indian Rebellion against the British East India Company. Many remembered him for his role in the Barrackpore Mutiny, which took place on March 29, 1857.

Mangal Pandey had a very interesting story as a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry. During that time, there were rumors that cow and pig fat was being used in rifle cartridges, and due to this, Mangal Pandey refused to use those cartridges. The reason behind not using cartridges by Mangal Pandey was that greasing cow and pig fat in cartridges was against the religious beliefs of both Hindus and Muslims.

The rebellion of Pandey, which was against his British superiors, resulted in a much larger mutiny in the regiment, which quickly spread to other units as well. This was the mutiny that marked the start of the Indian Rebellion of 1857; it is also called the First War of Independence.

But a very unfortunate incident took place, and the Britishers captured Mangal Pandey, and he was sentenced to death by hanging. The date on which he was executed or hanged was April 8, 1857. This all took place in the presence of his fellow soldiers. But it should be noted that despite this unfortunate incident, the fight for India's independence did not stop. This incident inspired many others to join the rebellion started by Mangal Pandey for the freedom of the country.