Mangal Pandey

About Mangal Pandey

• Mangal Pandey played a crucial role in India’s first rebellion against British rule in 1857.
• He is considered the hero of the first war of Independence, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
• Early life
  • He was born on July 19, 1827near Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh.
  • In 1849, Pandey joined the army of the British East India Company and served as a sepoy in the 6th Company of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry in Barrackpore.
• Rebellion against 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..
  • This movement of rebels reached other parts of India and led to a mass revolt against the colonial rulers. Common people too came out and opposed anti-India laws.
  • On March 29, 1857, Pandey mutinied and fired at his Senior Sergeant Major. He was overpowered and hanged on April 8, 1857, by the order of a Court Martial at Lal Bagan in Barrackpore. His regiment was disbanded, like the 19th infantry at Behrampore, for showing resentment.

Q1: What is Doctrine of Lapse (1848)?

This was the policy initiated by Governor General Lord Dalhousie (1848-56) to acquire the Princely states. The doctrine declared that if an Indian ruler died without a natural heir, his kingdom would ‘lapse’, that is, become part of Company territory.

Source: Remembering Mangal Pandey, and the legacy of the revolt he inspired