Mangal Pandey was a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry regiment of the British East India Company. He was one of the important figures in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, also known as the Revolt of 1857 or Indian Rebellion of 1857. His actions and eventual death played a significant role in sparking the uprising against the British colonial rule in India. Let us get to know more about when Mangal Pandey was hanged.
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Mangal Pandey Life Overview | |
Date of Birth | July 19, 1827 |
Place of Birth | Nagwa, Balia District of Uttar Pradesh |
Occupation | Soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry(B.N.I) Regiment under the British East India Company |
Death | Executed by Hanging on 8 April, 1857 |
Place of Death | Barrackpore, Calcutta, Bengal Province under the British India. |
Famous For | Revolt of 1857 |
Reason Behind Mangal Pandey’s Death
Mangal Pandey was born in Nagwa, a village in the Balia district of present-day Uttar Pradesh in 1827. He joined the British East India Company’s army and served as a sepoy. In 1857, the company introduced new cartridges for the Enfield rifle. The rifle was rumoured to be greased with cow and pig fat. Pandey was a staunch Brahmin and refused to bite off the ends of the rifle before firing. This cartridge offended the religious beliefs of Hindu and Muslim soldiers, including Pandey.
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The Barrack Square Incidents
On March 29, 1857, at Barrackpore in Bengal, Mangal Pandey out forwardly refused to use the new cartridges along with also inciting his fellow sepoys to rebel against their British superiors. The British commander, Lieutenant Baugh, attempted to arrest Pandey, but ultimately he retaliated by shooting Baugh. This act was the stepping stone for the beginning of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Capture and Sentencing
- Mangal Pandey was later captured and put on trial for attempted murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Despite efforts to save him, including an appeal to his fellow soldiers, Pandey accepted his fate with courage and pride.
- Execution: On April 8, 1857, Mangal Pandey was executed in Barrackpore. His death became a source of inspiration for Indian soldiers and civilians who were dissatisfied with British rule. The subsequent events, such as the Sepoy Mutiny, and the widespread rebellion against the British, eventually changed the path towards Indian independence.
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