Mangal Pandey, The Accidental Hero Of India

Mangal Pandey History

Mangal Pandey is one of the great freedom fighters and worked against British rule during the Indian first freedom fight in 1857. He worked as a sepoy in the Bengal Native Infantry of the British East India Company. However, he played a vital role in the freedom fight in 1857 and attacked his British officers. The present Indians believe that he was an accidental hero of India.

Mangal Pandey Early Life: 

He was born on 19th July 1827 in a middle-class family in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh. His father, Divakar Pandey, had served as a peasant in a backward village. His family belonged to the orthodox Brahmin family. Entire family members strictly followed their religious beliefs and practised them daily. He was a zealous careerist and wanted to join Bengal Native Infantry for his bright future. After he joined as a sepoy in the regiment, the situation turned quite the opposite of his thoughts. The life of the sepoys under the British generals was filthy. Before joining the army, he had great respect for the British. Whenever he saw the ground realities, he understood how the British struggled with the Indians. Especially the introduction of the P-53 Enfield Rifle and greased cartridges made him very furious. He believed that the British were doing things against the beliefs of the Hindu people. So Mangal Pandey decided to revolt against the British till his death.

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First Freedom Struggle

The Barrackpore Unrest was a joint venture of various regiments. During the joint venture, Mangal Pandey was also a part of the 34th Native Infantry. On Sunday, 29th March 1857, Mangal Pandey gathered his trusted other sepoys to revolt against the callousness of Lt. Wheeler of the British East India Company. Then he was also pivotal in inciting men from different parts of the country to unite and make the call successful. But the promises were very slender and melted very soon. However, Mangal Pandey was furious about introducing cartridges in the regiment, so he stood solely against the British. Then the imagined circumstances dried up, and they faced many threats from English rulers.

Calcutta-Patna Conspiracy:

He first planned the Calcutta-Patna Conspiracy in gigantic proportions. The Conspiracy starts in Bengal and reaches the extremities of northern India. At first, Mangal Panday was not interested in joining the such activity, but his boyhood friend Nakki Khan convinced him to participate in the revolt. Then they both met several Zamindars from Bengal and convinced them to support their Conspiracy, which turned into a huge one. Many men from Patna and other parts of Bihar fully supported Mangal Pandey. Other Maharajas like Baji Rao and Nana Sahib supported them in their revolt against the British. These subsequent scenes changed to increase the assistance to Pandey. Even the supporters vow to keep their task against the British.

Mangal Pandey Death

But the plans of Mangal Pandey were ruined for some reason, and Mangal Pandey and his rebellions were condemned, and he was imprisoned. The court declared him guilty during the trial and sentenced him to death. Finally, on 8th April 1857, he was hanged till the end. His death inspired youths, and all were turned against the British.