On this Day: On 29 March 1857, The Bengal Native Infantry's Sepoy Mangal Pandey revolts against the East India Company's control in India. Indian Revolt of 1857, sometimes referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny, was the outcome. Then, on April 8, 1857, Mangal Pandey was put to death. 

What did Mangal Pandey do in the revolt of 1857?

Mangal Pandey was born on 19 July 1827 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. Mangal Pandey joined the Bengal Army in 1849. In March 1857, he joined the 34th Battalion of the Bengal Native Infantry as a private soldier. On 29 March 1857, Lieutenant Baug was posted as Adjutant with the 34th Battalion and was posted at Barrackpore, he was informed about the mutiny of the soldiers. He was told that a soldier named Mangal Pandey was present with a loaded musket (weapon) in front of the guard room of the regiment near the parade ground. 

Why Mangal Pandey revolted? | Fact about Cow and Pig Fat Cartridges

Such cartridges, which had to be used by biting teeth, were ordered at the same time as Mangal Pandey joined the army. The soldiers learned that the cartridges were made of pig and cow fat. Muslims and Hindus both regard pig as haram, whereas Muslims also hold the cow to be sacrosanct. From a Brahmin family, Mangal Pandey steadfastly refused to use cartridges. The remainder of the men were urged to revolt by Mangal Pandey. During this time, Mangal Pandey attacked his sergeant. 

Attack by Mangal Pandey 

Also, there was a rumour that numerous European soldiers were advancing to engage in Indian attacks. On March 29, at 4 o'clock in the evening, Mangal Pandey was in his tent. According to history, the soldiers were high on cannabis and restless at the moment. Mangal Pandey sprinted towards the parade ground near the Quarter Guard headquarters while donning his formal jacket, cap, and dhoti. The Great Rebellion in India, 1857–1858 Hidden Tales, Indian and British, by British historian Rosie Llywelyn Jones, describes how Mangal Pandey attacked two British officers. 

Mangal Pandey Death and Beginning of Sepoy Mutiny 

Jones has written, 'Mangal Pandey, armed with a sword and his musket, started inciting his regiment by walking in front of the quarter guard. By discussing their devastation by European forces, he was motivating the regiment's soldiers. The Mangal Pandey-led uprising was seen by the British as a significant threat to their own survival. Mangal Pandey testified during his trial that he had begun the revolution himself and that no one had incited him to do so. On April 8, 1857, Mangal Pandey was executed by hanging because the Raj was threatened by this uprising. 

The death of Mangal Pandey brought about huge rebellion and rage from Indians. As a result from every part of India, many rulers started to revolt against the unfair practices of the British Raj. Therefore, the Sopy Mutiny of 1857 was ignited.