Mangal Pandey Birth Anniversary: Facts about the hero of Sepoy Mutiny
Gowrish Babu
Mangal Pandey was a soldier who played a key role in the events immediately preceding the outbreak of the 1857 revolt, which was later termed India's first war of independence.
On his birth anniversary, here is a look at some facts about the legendary freedom fighter.
Mangal Pandey who is also known as Shaheed (Martyr) Mangal Pandey was born in the village of Nagwa in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.
He was a sepoy in the Bengal Native Infantry's 34th Regiment of the British East India Company.
He revolted against the East India Company for introducing cartridges that were greased with animal fat as it hurt the religious sentiments of the soldiers.
It started a massive revolt against the British colonial rulers and spread across various part of the country.
Later, the Britishers were forced to recognise the trouble and passed new rules through the Government of India Act 1858.
The rebellion came to be known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 also called the First War of Independence.
He attacked two British officers on March 29, 1857. As a result of this, he was hanged till death on April 8, 1857, in Barrackpore. He was all of 29 when he was executed.