Mangal Pandey is most notably remembered for standing up against the British rule and sparking the Indian rebellion of 1857, which went on to inspire the struggle for Independence in India.
Born on July 19, 1827, in a Brahmin family, Pandey joined the British East India Company at the age of 18 as a soldier.
In 1857, Pandey rebelled against some English officers and killed many of them for their cruel nature towards Indians. He reminded fellow Indians of their self-respect.
Pandey's rebellion inspired many Indians to raise their voice against the oppression of the British rule in India, which later took the form of a major revolution.
On March 29, 1857, a furious Pandey planned a rebellion against the British rule, and threatened to kill any British officer he comes across.
British officer Lieutenant Baugh was informed of Pandey's intentions, and he rushed to catch him.
As soon as Baugh confronted Pandey, Pandey took his position and fired. Though he missed Baugh, the bullet struck his horse and made him fall off.
Baugh quickly took his gun and shot at Pandey. He missed the shot too. Pandey attacked him with a sword brought him to the ground. It was then that another sipahi, Shaikh Paltu, intervened and tried to restrain Pandey.
sipahi, Shaikh Paltu, intervened and tried to restrain Pandey.
Soon, an injured Baugh arrived and asked officers present there to capture Pandey. At this point, Pandey shot at Baugh.
Many shots were fired and other soldiers reached the location and did nothing while Pandey battled with Hewson and Baugh.
Shaikh Paltu intervened again and asked other soldiers to help him hold Pandey back.
The word quickly reached to Commanding Officer General Hearsey, who rushed to the ground with his two officer sons, and controlled the situation by threatening sipahis and commanding them to capture Pandey.
Pandey then put the gun to his chest and pressed the trigger with his foot. He collapsed and started bleeding, and was rushed to the medical room.
Pandey recovered in time and was brought to trial in less than a week. Eventually, Pandey's execution was scheduled for April 18, but commanding officers carried out the execution 10 days in advance, on April 8, 1857.