Why in the News?

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the great freedom fighter Mangal Pandey on his birth anniversary.

Who was Mangal Pandey?

Birth: Born on 19 July 1827 in Nagwa village, Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh.
Military Service: Joined the British East India Company’s army in 1849 as a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry at Barrackpore.
Trigger of Revolt: Opposed the use of Enfield rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, offensive to religious beliefs.
Rebellion: On 29 March 1857, attacked British officers and encouraged sepoys to rise in revolt.
Punishment: Arrested, tried, and executed by hanging on 8 April 1857.
Legacy: Regarded as the “Hero of the First War of Indian Independence” and a symbol of resistance.

Overview: The First War of Indian Independence or the Great Rebellion of 1857.
Sepoy Composition: Indians made up over 87% of the British Indian Army but faced severe discrimination.
Root Causes:
- Military Discontent: Unequal pay, poor promotion prospects, denial of allowances.
- Religious Insensitivity: Use of animal fat-greased cartridges insulted Hindu and Muslim beliefs.
- Economic Hardship: Heavy land taxes, decline in traditional crafts, and rising unemployment.
- Political Grievances: Annexation of Indian states and enforcement of oppressive laws.
Outbreak:
- Barrackpore: Mangal Pandey’s defiance on 29 March 1857 marked the beginning.
- Meerut: On 10 May 1857, sepoys rebelled after refusing cartridges and were imprisoned.
- Delhi: Rebels marched to Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah II as Emperor.
Spread of Revolt: Uprising expanded to Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bihar, Bareilly, Faizabad, and beyond.
Mass Participation: Involved sepoys, peasants, landlords, and regional rulers.

Brutal Suppression: Rebellion was crushed by 1859; Delhi was recaptured in September 1857.
Administrative Shift: British East India Company was dissolved; India came under direct British Crown rule, initiating the British Raj.
Military Reorganization: Indian representation in the army was reduced and reorganized to prevent future revolts.
Increased Repression: Racial discrimination and harsh policies intensified post-revolt.

[UPSC 2006] Who was the Governor-general of India during the Sepoy Mutiny?

Options: (a) Lord Canning* (b) Lord Dalhousie (c) Lord Hardinge (d) Lord Lytton