“Yeh Azaadi ki Ladai Hai… Ghuzre Hue Kal Se Azaadi… Aane Waale Kal ke Liye...” Did you just experience a wave of emotions? If these words can still motivate you then imagine the impact they might have had in the “Era of darkness in India” i.e. British Empire. These golden words were spoken for the first time by our hero, Mangal Pandey. A soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, he might have been just a sipahi in East Indian Company's eyes, but he was a lot superior in his intentions.
Born in a
small village of Nagwa, Pandey joined the Bengal Army at just the age of 19. He
was ambitious and viewed himself reaching good heights in the infantry.
However, his ambitions soon came into conflict with his religious beliefs when
an infamous Enfield rifle was inducted in the Bengal Army. The bullet cartridge
was thought to be greased with the fat of cows and pigs, thereby hurting
sentiments of both the Hindus and Muslims alike.
This caused huge resentment among Indians with Mangal Pandey becoming the first sipahi to fire a bullet at his senior, Sargent Major of East India Company. Contemporary British opinion denounced him as a traitor and mutineer but his actions were immensely appreciated in the form of “Revolt of 1857”, a.k.a India’s first war of Independence”. Sepoy, Zamindars, Maharajas, everyone came forward and fought against the atrocities of Britain. They showed a great character despite of fighting without proper arms and ammunition.
Mangal Pandey was a true patriot, who identified himself with his motherland and sought his inspirations from ancient Indian scriptures. We are proud to have a compatriot, who united and gave a voice to the Indian national movement of 1857. He is a truly a modern Indian hero and will remain immortal in our hearts, said Sanjay Dalmia, who is a renowned nationalist.
This caused huge resentment among Indians with Mangal Pandey becoming the first sipahi to fire a bullet at his senior, Sargent Major of East India Company. Contemporary British opinion denounced him as a traitor and mutineer but his actions were immensely appreciated in the form of “Revolt of 1857”, a.k.a India’s first war of Independence”. Sepoy, Zamindars, Maharajas, everyone came forward and fought against the atrocities of Britain. They showed a great character despite of fighting without proper arms and ammunition.
Mangal Pandey was a true patriot, who identified himself with his motherland and sought his inspirations from ancient Indian scriptures. We are proud to have a compatriot, who united and gave a voice to the Indian national movement of 1857. He is a truly a modern Indian hero and will remain immortal in our hearts, said Sanjay Dalmia, who is a renowned nationalist.
In India,
Mangal Pandey is celebrated as the country’s first freedom fighter against the British
Empire. A commemorative postal stamp was issued in his name by the Indian
government in the year 1984. Since then, his life and actions have formed a part
of several cinematic ventures and he is regarded very highly by all
contemporary Indians. It is because of such sacrifices that we can now breathe in
an independent and democratic nation, India!
