The month of August, is definitely written in golden letters. India, got its independence after a struggle of about 200 years. This is not a short period. I can’t get myself to think, how it would be to live in your own country as an outsider, with no say in anything. Enduring endless hardship and bias.
At the same time, the people of India, did not quietly accept the atrocities, they revolted, fought and never gave up.
The freedom we enjoy today has come at a price. The sacrifice of many fellow Indians. One such, was Mangal Pandey. Born in the year 1827, he was a soldier in the Indian British Army. He joined the army in the year 1849 as a sepoy. During the 1850s the British brought the Enfield rifle to India, the cartridges could be loaded into the rifle only after biting off its end. It was said that the lubricant of the cartridges was either cow or pig lard. The Hindus and Muslims in the army were upset because of this. Pandey being a Brahmin was furious and wanted to convey this message to the British.
The story accepted throughout history says, Mangal Pandey began inspiring fellow sepoys against the British and plotted an uprising. Pandey was agitated and roaming around the guard room of the regiment with a loaded rifle and swore to shoot the first European he encountered. The Sergeant-Major James Hudson learning about the agitation rushed to calm things down. Pandey, realising that the troops were not ready for a mutiny and stand against their oppressors, decided to commit suicide using his musket, but that only left him injured. Seizing the opportunity, the British took him to custody and a week later sentenced him to death by hanging. Mangal Pandey was put to death on April 8, 1857.
This incident marked the beginning of the Indian Rebellion against the British in the year 1857, according to historians.
Mangal Pandey was honoured by the Indian Government on October 5, 1984 by issuing a postage stamp bearing his likeness. A park was built at the spot where he revolted against the British at Barrackpore.
A salute to this brave soldier.