Mangal Pandey was hanged on 8th April 1857 by the British.

Who was Mangal Pandey? Mangal Pandey was the person who fired the first shot against the British on 29th March 1857 which started the First War of Independence, “sepoy Mutiny” according to British rulers. Mangal Pandey was a sepoy in the 34th Infantry stationed at Barrackpore near Dum Dum. The British officers wanted the Indian sepoys to use cartridges greased by animal fat which was not acceptable to the sepoys. Protesting the insistence of British Officers compelling to use the greased cartridges , Mangal Pandey shot a British Sergeant and inflicted a wound on the Adjutant by sword in the parade ground at Barrackpore.

This was a starting point for the mutiny. Regiments after regiments revolted and the first war of Independence started.

Mangal Pandey was courtmarshalled and hanged on 8th April 1857.

I pay my respectful homage to this great hero who took the first herioic step for India’s freedom and became Martyr.