General Studies Paper-1

Context

• The Prime Minister paid tributes to freedom fighter Mangal Pandey on his birth anniversary.

Mangal Pandey

• He was born on 19 July 1827 in Nagwa village, Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• Mangal Pandey is renowned for his role as a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry of the British East India Company and for sparking the Indian Rebellion of 1857, widely regarded as India’s First War of Independence.

Major Events

• He refused to use the newly introduced Enfield rifle because it was believed that the new Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket issued to the sepoys of the East India Company came with a cartridge dipped in beef and pork fat, which made it anathema to both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, who had to bite open the cartridge to load the weapon.
• On March 29, 1857, he mutinied and fired at his Senior Sergeant Major.
• He was overpowered and hanged on April 8, 1857, by the order of a Court Martial at Lal Bagan in Barrackpore.
• On 9 May 1857, 85 sepoys in Meerut refused to use new rifle cartridges believed to be coated with cow and pig fat.
• They were dismissed and sentenced to 10 years in jail for disobedience.

Contributions

• He played a crucial role in sparking the Revolt of 1857 which eventually led to the end of East India Company rule and the beginning of direct governance by the British Crown under the Government of India Act, 1858.
• It appointed a Viceroy as the Crown representative in India in place of the Governor General of India.
• Lord Canning became the First viceroy under this new system.

Legacy

• He was executed by the British in 1857 and  is synonymous with courage and determination.
• He was a pioneering warrior of the country who challenged British rule.
• His story of courage and valour will continue to be a source of inspiration for the people of the nation.